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The Emporia => Access All Accessories => Topic started by: Madame Cholet on January 20, 2018, 16:07:32 PM

Title: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Madame Cholet on January 20, 2018, 16:07:32 PM
I found a link to some free bag patterns on @Hachi 's blog, and decided to make myself one - the Gerbera Cross Body Bag by Blue Calla.

It's the first bag I have ever made, and just in case it all went horribly wrong and ended up in the bin, it is made from charity shop remnant linen blend (outer), an old pillowcase (lining), and some fleece scraps from my stash. The pansy is my first stab at free motion embroidery, from a few months ago.

I stuck to the bag pattern apart from piecing the front panel as my embroidery piece was smaller than the panel pattern piece. I skipped using interfacing for the outer linen blend pieces, because although I have some in the house somewhere I couldn't find it but wanted to make a start on the bag anyway; I won't do that again, as I think the absence of interfacing shows. Also I used ordinary fleece stitched to the lining in the seam allowances, as I didn't have any fusible fleece to hand and again as this was essentially a practice piece I was happier using what I already had.

(https://i.imgur.com/EwAYdQjl.jpg)

The fleece I used was quite thick so the bag feels very soft and padded, and has already been put to use as a place to safely store my sat nav  8)

(https://i.imgur.com/pQAGukZl.jpg)

I enjoyed making the bag, and I'm really pleased that the mystery that is bag making is beginning to reveal itself to me.
I'm planning to make another, again a practice piece from scraps. The next one I intend to make is the Clematis wristlet bag, also a free pattern from Blue Calla. I'll post pics up in this thread when it's done, all being well. 
:)
 
(The free Blue Calla .pdf bag patterns link is https://bluecallapatterns.com/collections/free-patterns)

(https://i.imgur.com/dymbAtrl.jpg)

[Later edit to add pic].
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Ellabella on January 20, 2018, 16:24:58 PM
That Pansy is free motion?  Respect!
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Sandra on January 20, 2018, 16:27:15 PM
Your first attempt!?

Madame Cholet...you're a natural. It looks very professional.

Sandra.
xxx
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Acorn on January 20, 2018, 16:36:45 PM
Wow!  I'm not sure whether to be most impressed by the bag or the free motion embroidery!!  Well done.   0_0
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Sewingsue on January 20, 2018, 16:59:46 PM
Wow!  I'm not sure whether to be most impressed by the bag or the free motion embroidery!!  Well done.   0_0
Likewise
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Ohsewsimple on January 20, 2018, 18:15:12 PM
Nice job!  Free  motion embroidery?  Wow.  I have a friend who can do that.  Me?  I have an embroidery machine :P
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Lilian on January 20, 2018, 19:53:50 PM
Wow! That is really nice and the FMQ is excellent!! Well done!  I am thinking of making a weekend bag  -<. A free pattern from a magazine.  Look forward to seeing your next one  :)
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Surest1tch on January 20, 2018, 20:50:29 PM
Superb
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Kenora on January 20, 2018, 23:38:37 PM
Wonderful work.  :flower:
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Stitches on January 21, 2018, 06:48:28 AM
Love your bag .Free  motion embroidery Wow Me I have a embroidery machine
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Hachi on January 21, 2018, 11:54:18 AM
Embroidery looks awesome!
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Lachica on January 21, 2018, 13:55:47 PM
Lovely, and that pansy is very accomplished. I've not tried FME, it looks difficult. I also downloaded those free patterns so it's good to see that they work out well. I may have a go at that one when I finishe the created curtain.
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: b15erk on January 22, 2018, 11:00:28 AM
What a beautiful first attempt MC!  I wish my FME looked as accomplished!

Just to add to your free patterns list, there's a free Weekender bag pattern here: https://craftbits.com/project/make-your-own-weekender-bag/

Jessie
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Madame Cholet on January 25, 2018, 22:56:09 PM
Thank you all for your kind words!  <3 :)
... and thank you Jessie for the free pattern link  :flower:  :)

I finally finished the Clematis Wristlet bag which I have made as a gift for a friend. The free motion embroidery I did a while ago - my second attempt.
I am ashamed to say I copied the motif from an embroidery design I found in a google image search  :|

I am glad it is finished - it took longer than I expected - I had the sewing jitters about stitching the leather so I spent a good while practicing on scraps, and it took two goes to get the zip right. I stuck to the pattern sewing instructions apart from having a slightly smaller seam allowance on the darts, and reinforcing the top of the inner pocket with extra stitching, like on a shirt pocket. *
The outer is the linen blend I used for the first bag, and a leather scrap I picked up in Fabworks not too long ago. The lining is a saree scrap from my stash, and the embroidery was done on a small piece of velvet. This time I used fusible interfacing on the linen and it looks and feels better for it. I stuck to using ordinary fleece though from my stash, rather than the fusible fleece mentioned in the pattern. I will use fusible fleece in the future I hope, but for now I am being a cheapskate, as the stuff I have seen for sale online is quite pricey.
Next time I make a bag I shall use a better zip, a metal toothed one, or at least one that matches the colour of the bag, lol  :S

Here it is:

(https://i.imgur.com/K8kpNI5l.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/4Ppr4hel.jpg)

*edit to add - and of course I added the embroidery, the 'window' was not part of the pattern.
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: fajita on January 26, 2018, 00:20:24 AM
Excellent job.  Your friend is very lucky.  I'd be very happy if a friend made such a thing for me.
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: crooknees on January 27, 2018, 12:47:19 PM
Your first attempts at bag making are very impressive Madam Cholet. I'm also very impressed by your FHE. I have an embroidery machine and that sometimes doesn't give the required result. All down to my incompetence, I must add.
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Madame Cholet on January 27, 2018, 22:12:38 PM
@Fajita and @crooknees - Thank you!  :)
I was inspired by this lady, but I used my Bernina 910 rather than a treadle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y01nxh8HYAg
I have posted that link before, but imo it's well worth a second watch  :)
I'd love an embroidery machine one day, but I also love the idea of freehand 'painting' with the threads. I have slowly started to build up a small collection of Gutermann Sulky threads so I can have another go at some point with better threads and brighter colours and on a slightly larger scale  :vintage: :thread: :ninja:
Title: Re: My first attempt at making a bag
Post by: Madame Cholet on February 19, 2018, 12:18:07 PM
Re. the Blue Calla Clematis bag pattern - here is a youtube video that shows a pattern hack for adding card slots to the bag:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3VsS1AMNTc

The lady in the video Debby Hunker has marvelous hair and the bag she makes has a picture of Cthulhu on the front of it. so the clip is well worth a watch even if you are not interested in bag making. The card pocket idea is fab too.

The Clematis bag I made has rather manly man styling as it was for a friend of mine. I'd planned to make another for myself one day and I am now happy in the knowledge that I can provide my version with card slots  8)

(Note to self - get off internet and get important stuff done... )