At last I have finished my crazy patchwork bag.
It has taken me hours - I reckon at least 12!
First I lay out all the pieces out and bonded them to some felt, then machine stitched them down. I embellished each patch with machine or hand stitching, then added the fastening, a wooden button and a cord made from toning twisted threads and beads.
I then sewed in the lining complete with zipped pocket. It was at this point that the blood came into it. As I pinned in the lining I hadn't realised I had pricked myself and after I had sweated over the zig-zag edging I found blobs of blood all over the lining.
The tears followed as I had to sponge off the blood - and also I was not very happy with the finished edge as it is very uneven.
I made the handle by zig-zagging up and down three pieces of coloured string and wool and then plaiting them together.
A friend of my husband popped in to see him and watched me showing off my bag and asked me if I had been a 'Hippy Chick' - Hmm not sure if I approve of the title 'chick', but I did think that Hippy Chic might be a good description of the style. (By the way I was a bit of a weekend hippy way back in the 70s)
If I was going to make these to sell I would have to simplify it a lot and find a different way of finishing the edge, possibly by binding it. But they would be a labour of love!
Meanwhile the sewing machine is having a bit of a rest.
GIVE-AWAY COMING SOON
(But not this bag!!)
15 comments:
That's a great bag! A real individual expression and beautifully made!
That is amazing, stunning, gorgeous .... you would make a fortune selling those on Folksy Jill .... hope your prickled pinky has recovered and Hippy Chic should be your brand name x
What a lovely bag & such perseverence! I guess the next one will be a little easier....!
Charming colorful bag!! I wouldn't doubt you could sell them. :):)
Jill this is absolutely lovely! You can see lots of work has gone into it! You could design a simpler version and keep this to give away as a gift...Christmas is approaching fast!
You know I'm captivated by your stitched creations and I was so proud of myself when I stitched the lining in the canvas purse I made last week - the first person I thought of was you! I couldn't wait to blog it and hoped you would check my post (which you did and thank you for your comment!)
Hope your next attempt comes easier (and certainly with less blood, sweat and tears!!) x x
l love your bag.you should be too my friendxx .l do patchwork too..go tmy blog http://tryingtocreatearteveryday.blogspot.com if you are interestedxxenjoy.
lynda
http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com
and
http://tryingtocreatearteveryday.blogspot.com
and
http://toolboxcounsellin.blogspot.com
I'm so glad you showed off your beautiful work. Every project is a learning experience. I hope you can keep the uniqueness (is that a word?) if you decide to make many more. They would be worth a high price because they have such personality. Yes, Hippy Chic!
Jill,
The bag is a wonderful creation and I too, don't doubt that you could sell them. If you do please price them to recognise the effort that goes into them. So many artists and crafts people sell themselves short - probably because so many buyers have no perception of the time that goes into making something! If the machine is resting what are you working on next I wonder? Lesley x
What a lovely bag! I am in awe that you put a zip in the lining.......... I don't think I will ever become that proficient!! I am with Lesley re the pricing of it if you decide to sell.
Simply wonderful!
Lovely Jill. I am with the others in thinking that these would sell as you have obviously finished it off really well what with the inside zip and all. Do I recognise the orange fabric?!
I do hope that you will be able to get a price which reflects the work which has gone into making them though - I once made a waistcoat for my City and Guilds final piece and was asked if I would make on for someone but when I told them how many hours it had taken me to do and the price at even 50p an hour plus cost of materials they changed their minds. It is a sad fact that most non-crafters have no idea of the time and effort which goes into making a piece of art like this.
How is Mr T progressing?
Jane x
Love the bag, and do so agree with other commnets about pricing. Quite apart from the time making and thinking, materials are costly these days. It's sad that non-crafters often think that handmade must mean cheap.
Beautiful bag, love the lining too :-)
Anne xx
wow, this bag is a beauty. And yes, I can see that you have some hippie in you :-)
Hope Mr T is well.
Jill, your bag is absolutely gorgeous and would look fabulous in upmarket galleries and craft shops etc. The downside of selling through someone else is that they will take a cut, often a huge one and all that has to be factored into the final price. You should try it out on Etsy though because they take a very small listing fee so it's definitely worth a go even if you don't sell.
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