Little Red Reversible Gray Purse

Yesterday I decided I wanted to try out a reversible purse idea I had a little while back. **I have a small leather purse that I use when it's not convenient to carry a purse, but I still need the extra pocket. It's large enough for sunglasses, cell phone, chap stick, cards and cash. Plus maybe a 5hr energy, depending on the reason for using the purse. Recently, I was all dressed up to go out, and I didn't have pockets, nor did I want to carry my big purple everyday purse. So I was left with this one, which wouldn't have been a big issue; but it didn't match. My small purse is green. Dark teal actually. Which doesn't go well with a black and red outfit. In the dark it's not such a problem, but I thought it would be nice to have one that would work better. All the way to our destination, with my green purse in hand, I was thinking up a way to make a purse this size, that was also reversible. How would the closure work? How would the handle/strap work? What colors would be best? What materials would be needed? The night went on, and I pushed the idea to the back of my mind. Until yesterday.** I wondered up to my box of fabrics and found remnants from the gray and red dress my mother made for me for college graduation. PERFECT! I was hoping for a red purse. And I wanted something that would work with that dress. SO; One side of this new purse works with anything red. The other is a perfect match to the dress.
I started by drawing up what I thought it should look like. I still wasn't sure about the closure, but I figured I'd figure it out. Then I "traced" the pieces in the appropriate colors and cut them out. Since the gray fabric is so much thicker and more durable than the red, I decided to add a layer of it between the red to add durability, while letting it remain flexible. I also hate interfacing. After much deliberation over what I was doing right and wrong, and a few different ripped seams, I got each of the pieces in the correct order, I could put it all together. Only thing was; it was going to be too thick and hit'n'miss to do on the machine. So I hand stitched the top to the bottom, both inside and out. Ta-dah! I was done... or so i thought. I forgot to add a strap. I found a sheer red ribbon and decided it was good enough for this. But i wasn't sure how to put it on and have it stay. I also hadn't figured out how to make it close yet. Snaps! Small snaps were a good choice. The only thing is that one would be stuck on the outside and tacky. Oh well. After I stitched them on I decided it wasn't that bad.

Then the shit hit he fan in life, and I'll finish writing this later.

Now then: After I had the pocket that is the purse made, I found a red ribbon and hand stitched it to the red side of the purse. It's long enough to go over the shoulder, but not across the body like I'd hoped for. It's turned out to be great for utility. It holds just as must as my green purse but is red (or red and gray). A few days later I went to the fabric store and picked up remnants of various fabrics and rope strings and ribbons to make some more. I don't think they'll all be exactly like this one. Firstly; In retrospect, I think the reversible thing was too much work. Secondly, I don't much like how the flap closes. That will require some work, or just a different design. Third; I'd like it if the purse wasn't so straight, if it had gathers or pleats or folds or something to liven it up, that'd be fun. I can't wait to see what I come up with.