Vintage Handbag

My grandmother, Beatrice "Lorette" LaLonde Cassidy passed away in 2002 (at age 98!) and left me her bag of patterns. I am the oldest granddaughter and the only one who she taught to knit and crochet who kept at it.

It was difficult to go through, so I put it off. Recently, I brought it with me to a "Do It In Public" meeting and we all eagerly and tenderly looked through the bag and found some great retro stuff! We thought it would be fun to take one of the patterns to interpret and create an exhibit for the fair.

The pattern we chose is a crocheted handbag that comes from a book of handbag patterns called "BAGS" put out by the Clark's O.N.T. J.P. Coats company and copyright 1945 by the Spool Cotton Company. We have received permission to pass out a limited number of copies of the pattern, and permission to put the image on our site:

	You are invited to participate in our exhibition. All we ask is that you interpret the bag in your own style and let your creativity run wild! (This photo brings to mind two great old movies from around this era: "Theordora Goes Wild" with Irene Dunne and "His Girl Friday" with Rosalind Russel and Cary Grant! )
Photo used with permission of Coats & Clark Company

Here's how it will work:

1. Since we are limited in the number of patterns we can hand out, you must agree to participate in the exhibition to get a copy of the pattern.
2. All participants will be charged a $5 entry fee. The fee is NOT for the pattern, but to help with the costs of the exhibit AND to create some PRIZE money. Please send your $5 to: (NOTE: Make checks payable to Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair):
        Vintage Handbag
        Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair
        PO Box 754
        Crystal Lake, IL 60039
3. Please sign up using our Entry Form. We appreciate this, it automatically creates the list for us!
4. The first 100 entries are in the exhibit - there is no jurying or other requirement. We cannot give out more than 100 patterns. We will announce it here when we have reached 100 and take down the entry form.
5. You will receive your pattern via email after we receive your entry fee.
6. Create your bag! You may use ANY medium - fiber, wood, metal, fabric, reed, etc...
7. Proportions - I am making a prototype. It looks like the original bag (there are no measurements with the pattern), is 16" long by about 9" high. Because we have a limited space we are going to limit the size of the bags to 18"wide by 12" high.
8. Send your bag to us! We will need about a week to plan, hang, and photograph. If you are going to ship your bag, please include return postage so we may mail it back to you. I'll post dates and the address as I know - I am going to try and get MCC to take these mailings.
9. Please email to Carol @ FiberAndFolk.com information about your piece. We will put a format up here soon - however be prepared to write a little about what inspired you and how you created your piece. We want to enrich the experience for those who are looking at the exhibition!
10. The Fair would be happy to sell your bag if you wish, however, we are working on a couple of ideas - give us some time and we might have a couple of surprises!