I love old rotary phones.  I love their squat, curvy look, the clickity-click sound they make when you spin the dial, and even the loud, fire-alarm-like ringer.  But I’m a cell-phone-only girl, so my lack of a land line means I have no use for one.  That is, unless I were to tear one apart and make this awesome rotary phone purse from Chica and Jo!  They even provide a printable pattern to cut out the shape of the bag.  Look for old rotary phones at thrift stores (it doesn’t even have to work!); for the body of the purse, if you don’t have leather or vinyl laying around, you could use a thrifted garment or a dollar store vinyl tablecloth.  The finished purse definitely makes a statement, and the rotary dial even still works!  How cool is that?  [how to make a retro rotary phone purse]

Project estimate:

• Printable pattern, free
• Rotary phone, about $5 and up
• Vinyl or leather, on hand or $1 and up
• Sewing machine, on hand
• Purse clasp, $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand
• Glue, on hand
• Cardboard, on hand
• Lining fabric, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  about $5 and up