My 2nd DIY project: Making an insert for a 20cm Kelly sellier
Truth be told, I’ve been a little nervous about using this box calf mini baby lately for fear that my car keys will tear up the inside lining. I recognize that it’s a little silly to need an insert or organizer for such a teeny bag especially when it doesn’t hold very much to begin with, which is probably why companies don’t make or sell inserts for this bag size. Inspired by hotshot over the summer, I tried my hand at making my own fourbi-like insert using an old H scarf for this 20cm Kelly. It took me a lot longer than I anticipated and in hindsight, it would have been well worth it to spend a little time on the front end coming up with a pattern or template, but overall, I’m satisfied with the final results.
The dimensions I used are 6.5”L x 4”W x 4.5”H. (It also fits my 25cm Kelly sellier.). The insert itself is fairly soft so I also made a rectangle shaped base insert out of plastic laminate covered with the same scarf silk fabric, which I can pop into the bottom of the open middle area for added structure. Because of the removable base piece, I can use my insert with 4 pockets facing the open middle area and 1 pocket (iPhone) on the outside or turn the insert inside out so the 4 pockets are on the outside and the iPhone pocket faces the open middle area.
Initially, both the inside and outside of each of the longer slip pockets were made using the scarf fabric, but the black background of the scarf pattern made it difficult for me to see the contents so I ended up adding a red felt liner to the inside. I sewed my insert by hand using a tighter stitch which is why the top rims appear to have gathers. Also, I sewed in a short piece of narrow elastic along the rim of the larger pocket so that I can really stuff it full and the contents won’t spill out.
Next time I undertake such an extensive DIY project, I will definitely make a pattern! [emoji3] Oh, and I still have a lot of fabric leftover from cutting up a 90cm scarf.
Truth be told, I’ve been a little nervous about using this box calf mini baby lately for fear that my car keys will tear up the inside lining. I recognize that it’s a little silly to need an insert or organizer for such a teeny bag especially when it doesn’t hold very much to begin with, which is probably why companies don’t make or sell inserts for this bag size. Inspired by hotshot over the summer, I tried my hand at making my own fourbi-like insert using an old H scarf for this 20cm Kelly. It took me a lot longer than I anticipated and in hindsight, it would have been well worth it to spend a little time on the front end coming up with a pattern or template, but overall, I’m satisfied with the final results.
The dimensions I used are 6.5”L x 4”W x 4.5”H. (It also fits my 25cm Kelly sellier.). The insert itself is fairly soft so I also made a rectangle shaped base insert out of plastic laminate covered with the same scarf silk fabric, which I can pop into the bottom of the open middle area for added structure. Because of the removable base piece, I can use my insert with 4 pockets facing the open middle area and 1 pocket (iPhone) on the outside or turn the insert inside out so the 4 pockets are on the outside and the iPhone pocket faces the open middle area.
Initially, both the inside and outside of each of the longer slip pockets were made using the scarf fabric, but the black background of the scarf pattern made it difficult for me to see the contents so I ended up adding a red felt liner to the inside. I sewed my insert by hand using a tighter stitch which is why the top rims appear to have gathers. Also, I sewed in a short piece of narrow elastic along the rim of the larger pocket so that I can really stuff it full and the contents won’t spill out.
Next time I undertake such an extensive DIY project, I will definitely make a pattern! [emoji3] Oh, and I still have a lot of fabric leftover from cutting up a 90cm scarf.
You did a great job! 
mm
