Stitched in Violet: A Liberty Kiss Lock Coin Purse

Part 1 of 3

There's something about a kiss lock purse frame that makes me slow down.

The soft click when it closes. 
The curved, detailed metal frame.
The round bauble beads at the top, almost like it's adorned with earrings.

It feels like something you might find tucked into a peacoat pocket at a market in London. Small. Collected. Meant to be treasured.

An Unexpected Palette

I had no idea what would be in my Aurifil x Liberty bundle when it arrived, but it invited me into a violet palette I wouldn't have instinctively chosen, and that felt like the beginning of something interesting.

If you've been around here at all you know I tend to lean toward earthy and muted in my work. Working in layered violets and softened lavender tones felt like a gentle stretch.

And sometimes different is exactly what I need.

A Little Liberty London Fabrics History

Liberty London Fabrics have been printed in London since 1875, when Arthur Lasenby Liberty opened his shop on Regent Street. He became known for intricate florals and detailed designs inspired by art, nature, and global textiles.

Even now, Liberty prints carry that same delicacy. The florals are small in scale, layered with fine line work and movement. There's a sense of heritage in them that feels timeless.

Pairing Liberty Fabric with a kiss lock frame felt natural. Both hold history. Both feel collected rather than mass produced.

Letting the Fabric Lead

For this project, I kept things small. I wanted something that would allow the detail of the Emily Belle print to shine.

The florals appear to move from Damson at the top to Crocus and Mauve, gradually softening into Lilac before finishing with a Parchment lining on the inside. These color names are my best interpretation, so if you are hoping to recreate this exact combination, I recommend confirming the specific colors.

The shift creates a gentle ombre effect that doesn't shout for attention. It simply gives the purse shape and depth. 

Quilting and Thread

I quilted the exterior in a simple diamond grid. Just enough stitching to give the fabric body and structure without competing with the florals.

For quilting and construction, I used 50 weight Aurifil threads from the Aurifil X Liberty thread collection:

• 2545 Medium Purple
• 6733 Twilight
• 2615 Aluminum
• 2021 Natural White

To attach the clasp by hand, I used Aurifil's clear monofilament so the stitches disappear.

The batting is Hobb's Tuscany 80% cotton / 20% wool.

From Raleigh to Chicago

This little purse was displayed last week at the Aurifil Thread booth at QuiltCon in Raleigh, NC. Seeing something stitched in my studio sitting at a booth surround by makers from all over the world feels slightly surreal.

It will travel next to H+H Americas in Chicago this May.

There's something tender about that. A small project, stitched slowly, moving through busy show floors and conversations.

Several people have asked if there is a pattern for the purse. I'm currently refining the construction and plan to release a pattern once it's ready. 

Part 2 of this Aurifil x Liberty series will share the coordinating Thread and Needle Book made from the same bundle. In Part 3, I'll bring the pieces together as a set.

For now, I'm letting this tiny clasped purse have her moment. 

Happy stitching!
xo, Tamara