Purse Problems
March 20th, 2007 by Jen Love
This orange bag is one of the first bags that I have attempted to sew and I have to say I’m pretty proud of myself. I still have some questions about lining and better construction, but pretty proud. I did make the lining a tad smaller in width than the outside fabric so that when I pinned it to sew, it did not line up all the way around. My husband though came up with a clever solution- I readjusted it so that there is a small pintuck in the front center of the bag that is hidden by the flap. (He often is the brains behind my projects!) I sewed two buttons together for more color and I like the way that turned out.
My next mission was to try and make some bags that were reversible. I am enjoying my sewing machine again (it comes and goes) so I whipped up this brown bag. With this second one again I thought I cut the 2 fabrics the same width and yet when I sewed them together there was still more of the outer fabric. Since I love the idea of making these I am now seeking outside of myself for further help. Do you cut both fabrics the exact same size when making it reversible? Does adding the handle between the 2 layers throw it off?
The second challenge I wanted to face was to find a way to make the bags stiffer no matter what fabric I choose. I bought some Iron-on Bond stuff to strengthen my lining and ironed it on the little piece of fabric I had left for the strap. I made the piece of iron-on too wide so when I folded the fabric together it bonded to itself and I had to leave the strap with the seam visible on the outside. Oops! Needless to say I did not want to iron-on to my main fabric. Any tips or feedback?
March 20th, 2007 at 7:18 am
I like your fabric choices very chic. The little charms are your signature touch.
March 20th, 2007 at 8:23 am
When you make a bag reversible.. cut all fabric pieces exactly the same length. Then when you sew them together make the outside fabric be with the outside facing out and the inside fabric with the inside facing in. Slip the inside fabric ontop of the outside fabric and sew all the way around the top, leave about four inches to get your hand in and pull it all together. Then hand stitch it shut.. I just made one last night, and will be trying again tonight!
Mine turned out perfect, but it took some trial and error to figure it out.
Good Luck!
March 20th, 2007 at 8:25 am
To make my bag stiffer I went to the fabric store and bought outdoor canvas.. I just stitched it onto the outside fabric pieces before I put it all together.. If you want to give it a hard “shell” feel.. I tried using a product called Timtex.. it worked perfectly.
Good Luck! …again.
March 21st, 2007 at 5:30 am
yep..andrea is right. i found the ironing on the heavy interfacing distorts the fabric too much. stitching in a piece of heavy canvas or timex will work best. i just came across a tutorial online that shows how to sew in timex without adding bulk to your seems, too. let me know if you are interested and i will send you the link.
the bags look wonderful!!!
loves
March 21st, 2007 at 5:48 am
fantastic bags. I bought timtex and I have yet to use it. Will let you know how I went.
March 21st, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Thanks for the suggestions! I guess I will head to the fabric store tomorrow to look for timtex!
Feli, I would love to see what you make!
March 26th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I adore the ’2 button’ idea! How clever – I am definately going to try that out
The bags look wonderful!
March 28th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Jen, The bags look soo good.You have been busy! I love the way your bags look. I can’t wait to see them in person, I’ve missed you.
March 30th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
cute bags!
i was thinking if your seams show you could cover them with ribbon
June 2nd, 2007 at 9:03 pm
your bags look good! i like to use canvas its cheap and it seems so durable,kinda like denim.