It's been a little while since I last posted, but I have been kind of crafty in the meantime. Here is my latest project: number six from Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol. This is the Charming Handbag (two side views and an inside shot). I bought some fat quarters at Hancock; one quarter per side. In addition to the outer and the inner fabric, there is a flannel layer of facing, just to add a little more shape. My biggest complaint about this project is that the book left out instructions on how much fabric is needed for the straps and the "tubes" (or casing) one stitches to feed the straps through. I figured it out (obviously) but I did have to think about it some. I made a 1" wide strap, so I cut a piece of fabric 4" wide and did the foldover method, as if I were making a drawstring. For the length, I just sewed two 4" wide lengths of my fat quarters together. The resulting strap is just long enough that I can carry the handbag on my shoulder if desired. For the "tubes" (or casing that the straps run through) I measured
out how wide the top of the sides were and made a slightly shorter tube. For the real instructions, here is the corrections page provided by the publisher, Potter Craft. There is a template included in the book for the basic bag pattern.If I make another charming handbag, I think it would be pretty easy to add an inside pocket (not included in the directions) and/or some sort of closure; it's an open top and the PIC quickly mentioned pickpockets upon completion of the bag. I then pointed out that I would most likely be carrying the bag on my shoulder (under my arm) and that the straps are too short for pickpockets to reach into the bag--and also that we live in a "city" of 26,000 people. (Seriously: pickpockets? Why did I marry him again?) The bag fits pretty snug under my arm. My concern with the open top is accidentally dumping everything out of it. I should mention that the construction of the straps does allow the bag to gather some.
Another idea would be making the bag bigger, thus creating more of a tote. I think this is one of the suggestions in the book, and I think with the open top styling, it would work pretty well.
So, the Charming Handbag.
Ta da!
Until next time...tschau!
Comments
Pickpockets, seriously, now.
What project(s) do you have going now?
I guess that's it for now?
1. Is the other handbag you are making a different pattern than the Charming one? I'm assuming so. Also, I noticed that you decided not to add the bow trim as is shown in the book, "Bend the Rules Sewing." Why is that?
2. What notions do you still not have for your Flower Drum Skirt?
3. Why do you consider the dress pattern to be a little ambitious for your skill level?
Again, a ribbon search is underway for the Flower Drum Skirt. I do have a zipper and bias tape for the waist, but I am in need of a ribbon to put between the main part of the skirt (the umbrella fabric) and the "ruffle" (the brown flower fabric).
As for making the dress, it just seems intimidating. The skirts I've made were super easy (just two pieces of fabric sewn together, for pete's sake). The pj pants were from a pattern, but those are not really seen in public.
You should come out and visit me, we could go to Jo-Ann's or Pat Catan's on a ribbon hunt. I'm not sure about Jo-Ann's selection, but I know Pat Catan's (local chain craft shop) has an extensive ribbon aisle. Speaking of craft shops, I saw that there is going to be a Hobby Lobby where there used to be a Kmart in the one area of town.