I finished sewing the purse that I had envisioned close to a year ago, better late than never I guess...  I was quite pleased with how the puckering worked out, I just sewed vertical lines & then pulled the threads to for the bubbling effect. I used handles off of an old purse that was headed to the garbage, I just covered them with matching fabric. It doesn't look very professional but I've had terrible luck finding handles that aren't cheap little plastic things, I like to be able to fit my purse over my shoulder if at all possible. Also I make things to save money, I'm not interested in spending a whole bunch on handles.