THE PURSE MUSEUM

 INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION of an Ed B. Robinson 1940's clutch 

Sometimes it is fun to see how something is made. Purses like everything else evolve over time. During the roaring 20's  and early 1930's many bags used large beads, were quickly beaded on black netting or crochet with lots of 'swing' for motion. There was a simple lining made of silk or cotton.

Beaded clutch purses from Belgium, or Czechoslovakia were also simply lined.

The French bags of the 1940's:  (now well into the industrial era), changed all that. Ed B. Robinson's purses, used here as an example, were well padded and of complex construction. The beading was tight and precise. It was stitched to a finely woven cloth backing. These bags were well padded, and silk lined.

Layer 1 (outside) beading on fine woven. Layer 2 - soft padding fabric. Layer 3 - woven cotton/ muslin.  Layer 4 - satin lining with pocket and tag.

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