Custom Vintage Book Projects
Even with all the different styles of vintage book purses that I can create, there will always be that one book you really want as a shoulder purse or clutch or cell phone purse that I do not have in stock. Just follow these 4 easy steps to helping design and create your own vintage book purse.
Step One:
- Send me the book yourself, either one you already own or have found by yourself
- Or have me search for the book for you, with a prearranged budget in mind for purchasing the book
Step Two:
After I have the book at my studio, I match up several different fabric choices from which you choose. I send you an email with detailed pictures and instructions, and you choose your own fabric lining. While you are choosing the fabric lining, I am cleaning, repairing and waterproofing the book cover. I then rebind the original book pages as a paperback so the book is ready to ship back with your purse. You can be involved in every step of the design or just one – that is entirely up to you.
Choose your fabric lining
Step Three:
After you have decided on your fabric lining, I match up different handle styles, cord lip or self-fabric piping, and button options that match the fabric lining you have chosen. I provide the pricing of the different handle styles so you can decide how much you want to spend on the details.
Choose your handle style
This customer already knew she wanted a hand purse, so a selection was sent to choose from.
For those customers who want to choose their own buttons, a selection is sent to choose from.

For those customers who want to choose their own color or style of lip cord, a mock-up is made and sent.



Step Four:
There you have it!
I have everything I need to make your vintage book purse. The book, the fabric choice, the handle style, the cord lip and button choices. I give you an estimate on how long it will take. Upon completion, I notify you and send a picture of the completed purse. You can then call with the payment options – check, charge or cash upon pickup.
Here is an example of a custom vintage book purse I just completed, so you can see how easy it is to have your very own vintage book purse.
I finished the purse and emailed a picture for approval. This Charlotte’s Web was $165 plus the cost of the vintage 1952 edition.

Contact Kathleen directly for more information on creating your own custom vintage book purse
or (860) 742-1804