Zakka Workshop Clasp Purse Kits {review and giveaway!}

How about some cute Japanese clasp purses… aren’t these adorable? The kits for these were sent to me by my friend at Zakka Workshop. I’m so happy that they are making the pattern and  hardware for these cute little projects available together in a kit. 

And I’ll tell you a secret, okay actually an embarrassing mistake I made. The folks at Zakka Workshop intended for me to make 1 or 2 of the kits and giveaway the leftover but when I received them I got so carried away that I made all three in one day! Yes, they are so much fun to make. Then I had the awkward task of emailing them and saying oops… will you provide more for a giveaway? They were so sweet – they said yes!

I had never made a clasp purse before – probably because I didn’t think I had the required tools, but look – I do! After you sew your little purse all you need to attach the clasp is pliers (I used my beading pliers), a screwdriver (this is the one that came with my sewing machine) and ‘craft glue.’ 

Some notes on the glue: I did some research and found that most sources recommend a glue called Gutermann Creativ HT2 for installing purse clasps. But it is really hard to get in the United States. I found a retailer that carries it on Etsy, but her shop was closed at the time and I REALLY wanted to make my purses. So I used my ThermoWeb Fabric Fuse. I love it for all kinds of felt and fabric projects, but it might not be the best for this because it is not extremely fast drying. But I’m not sure how fast drying the other glue is, so I can’t compare. After my purses were all dry I tugged on the fabric and clasps to see how secure they all were and all were pretty tight except one. On that one the fabric was coming out in a corner – probably I hadn’t pushed it all the way into the glue. I used gel super glue (from the dollar store) to fix it and now they all look perfect.

The coin purses were really fast to sew, especially the two little ones. This larger ‘Heart Clasp Purse’ has loops where you can add a chain, and it has piping. Although these are quick to make, you do have to be careful to sew an accurate  1/4” seam allowance so they fit the clasps. I (and my favorite seam ripper) know all about that. And I’m not sure if I mentioned it, but the kits do not include fabric, you get to pick your own. 🙂

The awesome thing about these kits is that you can use the pattern and instructions again if you want because extra clasps are also available.

So who’s up for a giveaway? Zakka Workshop will let me pick 2 winners to receive any kit they like from their website. Use the widget below to enter until August 24 at 10 pm. Good luck!

Zakka Workshop