Late last year I blogged about the essence of handmade (see here) where I shared a WIP project towards the end of the post. Here's a quick reminder:
Well ... over Christmas, whilst I spent a day slothing watching back-to-back Star Wars movies with hubby, I finished the straps and handsewed it together. Since then, I've made a pattern, painstakingly machined it together and wove a shoulder bag. Talk about sweating! I was hoping like crazy when machining I hadn't ruined two months' work when the bobbin jammed a couple of times.
This baby is lined with quilting padding and chocolate brown cotton lining and it is so squee material. I must admit, when I showed Heath, I was grinning like the Cheshire Cat from Alice In Wonderland. I was so chuffed with myself. My machining skills need much work but I feel I'm improving with practice, especially being self taught (mostly through cursing <grin>) and hazy memories from high school home economics.
As I'm reluctant to throw craft bits out (they'll have a purpose some day!), I wondered what I could do with the offcuts. First, I made a swatch for my patterns and then played around on the sewing machine. As the offcuts were cut horizontally and inkle weaving being warp-based, I needed to stabilise the threads. Machining each piece a few times, then washing, drying, ironing, trimming off ends and fray stopping the ends, here's what I came up with:
I machined a length to a larger block coloured woven strap to tie in the patterns of the bag. Plus I plan to use this as inkle woven ribbon for jewellery making as I was able to make two long lengths. Im looking forward to designing a piece around this ribbon. I love the colours and texture and again, its "out of the box"-ness. Anyhow, back to the finished bag ....
(Drumroll please ....) Tah-dahhhhh:-
I just love how this slight bell-shaped bag sits to the back. And it feels so smooth and comfortable to wear. So, so, so, so pleased :)
Would love to hear what you think!
