Whew. I have to tell you that I was more than a little bit nervous about this one. Not the freeform part, but the construction part. I usually use plastic canvas for the inside structure of my bags, but I wanted something softer for this one since there wouldn't be a gusset.
I bought some Pellon and ironed it directly onto the lining fighting down a panic attack as it was fusing. All I could think of was how much work it would be if after hand sewing the whole thing together I'd hate it and have to take it all apart again. YIKES. So, with great trepidation, I stitched the freeform to the lining in pretty little patterns in a metallic thread. Then I stitched the lining together around the seam lines, again by hand. Then I stitched the freeform closed over the lining around the edges up to the last two inches on each upper edge so I could stitch the handle in.
So far so good. She felt nice and solid - not too soft and not too firm. Then I put the magnetic snap in - all good. Then I stitched the top edge, stitched in the shoulder strap with woven fishing line for strength, then closed up the remaining small openings. It was finished in time to display at our guild meeting's color workshop last night.
Hmmmm. No problems. I guess the beaded shoulder strap used up all the angst usually allocated to one of my projects. And a good thing too because tonight I start with purple and it's always nice to gave a good ending to follow!
Oh, and I get to give a freeform talk to my guild in March. Now how cool is THAT! I LOVE enabling.
;-)
Love the sink or swim bag! You really have a gift for this work and it sounds like you are willing to experiment, h-m-m-m, bead launchers? Interesting. Not sure I have your stamina. Anyway, it looks great. [email protected]
Posted by: Janice Rosema | February 22, 2006 at 02:05 PM
THAT is a great, I mean AWESOME bag!
Way to go!
I saw your post in FFcrochet!
Hope there's more where that came from!
Posted by: romy verdae geissler | January 31, 2006 at 01:12 AM
Sink or swim looks great. I love the textures of the differnt fibers you use it just enhances the subtle color differences!
Posted by: elizabeth | January 30, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Awesome. It totally reminds me of the ocean with seaweed and stuff. The one yellow spot reminds me of the sun.
Posted by: Stacie | January 28, 2006 at 11:48 AM
Claudia - the bag is bee-ooo-ti-ful!!!
Ok, I used to sew and Pellon sounds familiar, but I don't remember what it is, and I'm a little confused about how you sewed the freeform pieces on - to the lining or to the Pellon? I have always had a hard time lining my bags and was wondering if there was an easy way to do it where the lining fit neatly inside the bag and the hand-sewing was invisible. In any event, I love the colors! Great job!
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 28, 2006 at 11:07 AM
GORGEOUS!
Posted by: carolyn | January 28, 2006 at 06:53 AM