THE CLICK PURSE

Dateline:
Siem Reap Town - Fri July 8 2011, 4:35 am
Pat E Lyon

Today was the second day of the most difficult purse: the click purse.  It clicks open and shut becuase part of a metal tape measure is hidden in a cuff at the top of the purse.  The idea for this came from an advanced quilter who showed it to my Aunt Marti in Elkhorn.  I am not sure I am doing it right, but the Khmer women love it.  It takes more fabric than the average tie purse becuase of the "cuff" and a large bow on one side.  It also required stiff interfacing.  They all want handles.  But the handles are drapery cords or upholstery trim.  At Jo Ann's $1.26 a yard.  It takes about 1 meter for a handle.  I found a few bargains, but when the handles are gone, they are gone.  So we will have more of the clutch purses.  After click purse, we will have the fourth purse made from a large man's tie.  This will be a little easier to make because there is less fear of running out of supplies for this tie, and they can play with the design.  They have learned to make inverted pleats, side pleats, and gather at the purse top.  One woman made pin tucks.  She has a machine at home and so came very prepared today.

The women would like to sell the purses, but they have told Mony they are happy to come to class to learn the skill of sewing.

And my dear, dear sewing class?  Today one sewing machine was broken.  So they had to wait or find other jobs to do to wait for a machine.  And the very versatile Mony was able to repair the machine.

Sam arrives Sunday night.  Deanna arrives Monday night.  Deanna's bed is nearly cleaned off of ties and linings.  The other side of my bed is lined with "kits" ready for sewing.  Mony went out to look for containers so that we can organize Mr. Sok's inventory of thread, fabric, interfacing, needles, flowers and makings for flowers, jewelry for purses and general chaos.  The Sok family has truly been the most generous of hosts.

Today, cat caught a lizard and left it right under the whiteboard for me.