Sunday, September 15, 2013

Paris, Pleats, and Pleather

A few years ago I made myself this bag for fall. I made it out of fabric I got at Walmart, have used it every fall since I made it, and it still looks as good as the day I stitched it (which makes me question the whole cheap fabric/designer fabric quality issue...). It was my favorite handbag I've ever used--perfect size, perfect fit on my arm, easy to get into, and it looks pretty cute. A few weeks ago I went to Fabric Row with my sister and scored a great Paris-scripty print. I didn't know what it would be, but then my my mind tended towards a bag (as it usually does). The other night I had nothing pressing to do, so I made the bag into the same pattern as my favorite fall bag. It's very different from what I usually tend to carry (I'm more of a color-fiend), but I love this bag (and it's good to step out of one's comfort zone).


The print was great for a larger, simple bag, but the pleats give it just the right touch to make it not so plain.


I was flummoxed as to what I would line this with as I don't like sewing with plain black, but one of you suggested a black and cream polka dot print. I crossed my fingers, searched my favorite online shops, and found the perfect dotty print for this. Again, the black keeps it demure and simple but the dots kick it up just a notch.


The outside fabric is a light home dec weight, and the inside is regular quilting cotton (but it feels different, almost silky, so I think it would be a great garment fabric as well). I used a mag snap as a closure and stitched it in so it would stay put:


On the version I made of this a few years ago, I used these inexpensive faux-leather handles I bought at Joann's. They didn't last long, as the weight of the bag (and I don't even carry much) pulled it apart. So I made my own braided handles to match the originals. For this bag, however, I bought some faux-leather handles on eBay. I wanted real leather, but couldn't find anything that seemed long enough or wide enough. I've never used these before so hand-stitching them in was...interesting.... The outside looks nice and swish but the inside isn't the neatest (and as when I looked for tips on how to do this I couldn't find anything that had pics of the interior I'm wondering if it's just a "thing" with handles like these--if any of you have any tips/links on how to get the inside nice and purdy please share in the comments). But it matches enough that I don't care at all. They're on there nice and secure as I made many trips through the holes with tapestry thread.


I could probably figure a way to do this on my machine, and I would most likely invest the time if I was making one of these for someone else. But as I don't mind little design 'features' in things I make for me this will be fine. It's ready to be filled with my junk and toted around town. When I change my bag for a new season I always feel that it should be a sign unto Mother Nature that I'm ready for a new season, so hopefully she takes note of my new handbag and lets the cooler temps stick around.

I'm off to watch a football game at my brother's house! Well, other people may be watching the game while I knit but it'll be on in the background and that's just about all the football I care to "watch." Have a lovely Sunday! OH! The book giveaway ends on Tuesday, so if you'd like to score a lovely read, check out my review and the giveaway details here.

I'll be linking up here:
Saturdays: Show and Tell Saturdays

19 comments:

  1. I love this bag! The fabric is amazing!
    Hugs!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How amazing bag!The fabric is really adorable! Great job!Thanks for sharing!
    Enjoy your day!
    Hugs and love from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the print for the bag :o)

    To be honest on these sorts of handles something like a waxed linen thread is much stronger, and doesn't need as many tours through the holes! I also sew them just to the exterior, so I've never had to see the back...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have you tried saddle stitch with the handle? You need 2 needles.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes it does look like a very new bag. Like the print on white. Reminds me of the period when this was a craze, apparels made from news paper prints.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really love this bag and fabric! Please DO share it at our bag Brag Tuesday linking party! :) http://blog.chriswdesigns.com/linking-parties/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great bag and great fabric! I have never used those kind of handles before. You could sew an applique circle to the lining side to cover up the stitches if you want to.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love love love that bag. I will totally be making myself one once I find some fabric as cool as that Paris stuff! I do agree that polka dots should be on all bag linings. : )

    ReplyDelete
  9. oh lovely bag! Great job.. I never used those handles, but maybe just sew them to the exterior? I'm sure you'll enjoy using it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful! Love the addition of the faux-leather handles, and you managed to find the perfect dotted fabric for the lining.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love these fabrics! Its a great bag. I have bought some red handles like this from Etsy and had the same trouble finding them long enough or thick enough. Is this the "For Pleats Sake" tote from Lisa Lam's U-handbag? That's what I was going to use the red ones for.

    How about cutting a matching "inside" piece of faux leather with holes to line up the stitches as per sewing a button another time? I would hand sew a simple applique, to the lining only, to cover the stitches. Alternatively a neat square of the outer fabric, or a piece of the lining if you want subtle! I have done that before, but not on the inside, to hide marks on recycled fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've heard people use dental floss for super-strength stitching. Clearly it would look horrible, but you could do some decorative stitches over the top. Love the bag, it looks great

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the Paris themed fabric, and the pleats are very cute. I think the handles are nice and the way they are attached is a very stylish, for the inside perhaps a band of ribbon to hide the hand stitching. This is a very unique and stylish bag.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great bag and fabric. Stopping by from Bag Brag Tuesday's linky party. Here is what I shared: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2013/07/test-pattern-for-sew-sweetness-lapin.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. The bag looks great, I found you on the Made by You Monday link party. Polka dots should definitely be used as lining for everything.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very pretty bag! Great job!
    Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse Party! I'll be featuring this tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I totally love this! Super cute bag and definitely inspiration for some of the fabric in my stash. :) Thanks!

    Diane @ Vintage Zest
    http://vintagezest.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. I LOOOOOVE the fabric, well done.
    Esther.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...