Handbags in History

A woman’s purse is an intricate part of her life Anything and everything might be found within it.
The history of the handbags we carry today dates back long ago. It may surprise you that women did not even carry the first handbags .
In Greek and Roman Civilizations men carried a small pouch to hold coins. In the middle ages, during the Crusades, men carried bags hung on girdles around their waists, filled with alms for the poor. At this point in time, women wore chatelaines, hook like clasps ant their waists attached with necessities such as scissors or keys.
The development of the pocket came in the Sixteenth Century. They were much different than the pockets of today. These early pockets were tied around the waist with long ribbon sashes. They were worn under clothing and accessed via slashes. It was not until later that pockets were sewn onto clothing.
Current fashions in the Eighteenth Century necessitated a new direction; reticules. Often made of luxurious fabrics such as velvet or silk, and embellished with ribbons and tassels, these bags draped daintily at the wrists of the ladies who carried them.
The Industrial Revolution changed everything. With the onset of women’s rights, work and travel (trains, autos and airplanes) needs were rapidly changing. The precursor of our current handbags have their roots in the railroads. Luggage makers made leather bags with handles, similar to luggage, but designs to be hand carried.
Fashion trends, necessity and our desires continue to dictate the handbags we carry today and into the future.

About Lillymagic Desings

Lillymagic Designs has been a dream in progress for many years. A dream to use my varied skills and hobbies to make a living doing what I love; making crazy quilt handbags.
Our lives are a continual learning process. The skills I use to crate my handbags were taught to me as a child by my grandmother, such as embroidery, crocheting and sewing. I continued these hobbies into adulthood and dreamed of making a living using them. I just didn’t know what to make!
Upon inheriting my grandmothers sewing machine and while working on my first project, a pair of purple calico overalls, I awoke each morning excited to begin sewing. This lead me to enroll in fashion design courses, “just for fun.” I especially loved pattern making.
Several years later, while staying home with my children, I found myself in need of a wedding present. Being short on cash, I thought deeply about what I could do. Silk fabric scraps, embroidery and vintage lace lead to the creation of a beautiful handbag for my dear friend to carry on her special day. The encouragement of my friends lead me to the realization of what I wanted to make.
After experimenting with various patterns and techniques, I happened upon crazy quilting. I found my true passion.
Join me in my journey and be blessed along yours.