A squashy bag
The squashy bag is complete and already in use. I made my own pattern based on a bags I had seen in highstreet shops and a pattern pretty close to what I wanted in one of my Japanese Craft books. It has come out pretty much as I had hoped and I like the shape but I think for this fabric I prefered the original tote. This is certainly a useful bag shape though, comfy over the shoulder or in arm and plenty of space inside for a purse and of course a bit of portable sock knitting. I learned plenty as I went along, I am pleased that the shape came out as I had planned but the bias binding was very tricky and frankly does not stand up to close examination, but making a hash of it this time should mean that I know what not to do next time. I used some very stiff boning in the handles themselves which was a good move, I will certainly buy more of the boning to use on future projects, even if it did make the bias binding rather a struggle. I used a little magnetic closure and no inside pocket this time.
The outside is made from the same old charity shop blanket as the tote and I used a medium weight interfacing. Interfacing/interlining makes such a difference to the bags, gives them so much more body. The bulkier seams are a little troublesome but worth it I think.
Thank you for all the lovely comments on my finished Betty. She is keeping me warm on a regular basis. Several of you asked about the fastening which is a brooch. I did purchase some buttons, I spent about half an hour choosing them while a friend waited very patiently for me to decide. Of course they are too big for the buttonholes. I grabbed the brooch as an emergency measure, I was determine to wear Betty there and then, and in fact it somehow looks just right so I don't think I will look for any more buttons. The brooch is silver with some tiny gold details and was a gift from the technical advisor who buys most of my jewellery from the rather wonderful local gallery.
The squashy bag is complete and already in use. I made my own pattern based on a bags I had seen in highstreet shops and a pattern pretty close to what I wanted in one of my Japanese Craft books. It has come out pretty much as I had hoped and I like the shape but I think for this fabric I prefered the original tote. This is certainly a useful bag shape though, comfy over the shoulder or in arm and plenty of space inside for a purse and of course a bit of portable sock knitting. I learned plenty as I went along, I am pleased that the shape came out as I had planned but the bias binding was very tricky and frankly does not stand up to close examination, but making a hash of it this time should mean that I know what not to do next time. I used some very stiff boning in the handles themselves which was a good move, I will certainly buy more of the boning to use on future projects, even if it did make the bias binding rather a struggle. I used a little magnetic closure and no inside pocket this time.
The outside is made from the same old charity shop blanket as the tote and I used a medium weight interfacing. Interfacing/interlining makes such a difference to the bags, gives them so much more body. The bulkier seams are a little troublesome but worth it I think.
Thank you for all the lovely comments on my finished Betty. She is keeping me warm on a regular basis. Several of you asked about the fastening which is a brooch. I did purchase some buttons, I spent about half an hour choosing them while a friend waited very patiently for me to decide. Of course they are too big for the buttonholes. I grabbed the brooch as an emergency measure, I was determine to wear Betty there and then, and in fact it somehow looks just right so I don't think I will look for any more buttons. The brooch is silver with some tiny gold details and was a gift from the technical advisor who buys most of my jewellery from the rather wonderful local gallery.
Comments
Really, I think the brooch is an improvement on the Betty design. It doesn't look half as stunning with buttons.
I was just checking all the some of the other blogs in the Rowanette Blog Ring and happened upon your beautiful blog.
Your bag is beautiful! One day maybe I will get using my singer for something more than stitching a quick hem...smile.
And I am completely with you, the brooch for Betty gives a so much more sophisticated look than buttons. Very special.
PS. Bit slow at blog reading at the moment so just caught up with Betty - it looks fab! So much nicer than the one in the book.