Dooney & Burke Haunted Mansion Inspired Purse

It has been suggested to me that I make purses.  I've already made two little bags for the Renaissance Festival, why not keep at it?

So I did some googling research on it and drew up a design for a super cute purse for myself.  It was going to be grey corduroy and totally adorable.  I was looking at fabric to line it with when I had a sudden inspiration to imitate a purse that I.Am.In.Love. with.

The Dooney & Burke Haunted Mansion purse.

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Now, I've never been one for labels.  Especially ridiculously priced purses.  #sorrynotsorry.  Then came this one.  So dark.  So beautiful.  So unique.  I need it.  I need it despite the $330 price tag and likelihood of it always being sold out.

I started to draw up a design I knew I could make.  I googled how to do a few special things to up the oomph factor.  I had decided on a black on black damask print fabric for the interior of my grey corduroy purse when I realized it actually would be perfect for my own version of the Haunted Mansion purse.

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Yep.  That will do.  I picked a bright red broadcloth for the interior, and black sateen for the straps. (Leather straps are like, $20 for a set.)  The next step is to turn my drawing into pattern pieces on swedish tracing paper, then it's off to assembly!  SOEXCITED.

The Great Cape Adventure: Finished Product

The moment you've all been waiting for ..... the finished cape!

I had Hubs take some pictures of me with his fancy camera.  So warm and cozy!

It was a beautiful day too, probably one of the last lovely days of Fall this year.

The last couple of pictures are to show how the arm hole and interior pocket are one in the same.  It's pretty hard to visualize this with just the pattern description!  The coat is very warm and cozy, and I've received several compliments on it!  I just love how unique it is.  Maybe next year I will muster up the courage to make something like this:

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Hello, Adorable!!!  Can I do this?  HELLS YEAH I CAN DO IT!  Okay, ready to see some new stuff??  On to the next project!