Grandma's Love: Handmade Purses!
Wednesday, April 19 2017 Ke Xu
This deep emerald green purse with bright yellow flowers checkered on was handmade by my grandmother, an 83-year-old Chinese women living in China Beijing. When I look upon it, I can see her in my mind, making all sorts of bags at night while watching her daily evening tv show. Sometimes she’d sit in her spot by the balcony window under the afternoon sunlight, carefully making her own designs. Her dog, Mr.Beans would lie next to her feet and close his eyes.
When I was a child, she used to complain about how hard it is to find a purse for ladies her age. Most bags would be too flashy and hip, while others would just make old ladies fade even more into the background. Then she started making her own purses with basic patterns for herself as well as her friends. More than a dozen have already been given away, but I would still like to share the few that are still at home.
This purse is her grocery purse. She always takes it with her when she goes to grocery shopping. It is small and light, just right for spare change, keys, and perhaps her cellphone. It’s colourful yet not too bright, a very cute choice for an old lady in my opinion.
These handmade purses are actually very simple to make. All you need is a plastic web sheet, scissors, a crochet hook, and the material you want to make your purse with. With scissors, carefully cut the web sheet into a rectangular shape and size you need. Then trace and drag your line back and forth along your base to create an unique pattern of your own. Other accessories are optional and can be bought at markets.
This bag is a lot larger and can hold much more. My grandma doesn't go out far by herself, so she seldom uses it anymore. Despite the size, the material is very lightweight, which makes it suitable and convenient for people of all ages. Sometimes old people may spill food or drinks in their bags, or get a little messy while looking after their grandchildren. This is why they'd want a bag that is suitable to their age and also easy to take care of. The linen my grandma chose doesn’t absorb liquid very well, therefore, it can be cleaned by wiping with a damp towel. The flower designs over the bag are all originally made by her. They are elegant and simple, just like her.