I've hit a wall with my new bag. I set out to make something like these. Aren't they fab? I've got beautiful teal green boiled wool for the outer fabric and some colourful Anna Marie Horner for the interior and have coupled them with some zippers from my stash, brass rings from an old bag that was falling apart and 1/4 inch foam for padding. The cord is to insert into the handles. They'd run out of piping cord at my local shop so I am going to have to make do with this.
First, I noted the measurements of the bag I was trying to emulate and made a paper pattern. So far so good. It took a fair bit of thinking through how I was going to actually construct the bag before I started, and the first thing I did was the internal pocket on one side of the lining. I used this great tutorial and I'm really pleased with my little pocket. Next, I ironed interfacing to the lining and the outer fabric, sewed strips of velcro to the lining (there will be a movable divider eventually), and sewed the side seams and all but one of the bottom seams to make two pouches, one in the outer fabric and one from the lining (I've left one side of the bottom lining open so I can turn the bag the right way out once I've sewn the lining to the outer fabric).
With me? You can see that next I slipped the lining pouch, right side facing in, over the pouch in the outer fabric ... and then ... I stopped.
Now I have to sew the zipper to a couple of pieces of outer fabric, form two padded curved strips with the zipper attached, make loops in the outer fabric for the rings and insert all these bits in between the lining and the outer fabric in perfect position, so I can sew around the opening of the bag in one go, turn the lining to the inside of the bag and (hopefully) get onto finishing details like top-stitching and handles. I know. I've lost you. It's fine, I'm stuck too. Sort of paralysed actually. I can't quite get on with it. I'm worried it won't work. Or at least, it'll end up looking homemade, rather than handmade and I'll hate it.
Now I have to sew the zipper to a couple of pieces of outer fabric, form two padded curved strips with the zipper attached, make loops in the outer fabric for the rings and insert all these bits in between the lining and the outer fabric in perfect position, so I can sew around the opening of the bag in one go, turn the lining to the inside of the bag and (hopefully) get onto finishing details like top-stitching and handles. I know. I've lost you. It's fine, I'm stuck too. Sort of paralysed actually. I can't quite get on with it. I'm worried it won't work. Or at least, it'll end up looking homemade, rather than handmade and I'll hate it.
Clearly it isn't a great tactic to just do nothing. This bag isn't going to make itself. But, I've decided that rather than push myself in this state of mind and stuff it up, I'm going to stand back, let it be and trust that one day soon I'll suddenly have a burst of energy and enthusiasm and I'll tackle my bag. I just hope I don't have to wait too long...
On a brighter note, I spent a fantastic afternoon this week cutting glass and assembling some chunks which I'm planning to use for rings and earrings after they're fired (I'll show you when I get them back from the lovely ladies who are firing them for me) and, some faux fur has arrived in the mail for my scarf-cum-stole thingy. The fur and the jewellery shouldn't take too long so I might not get my bag finished in time for my reveal of Outfit 1 - it's February already and I'd love to get the photos done soon ... but I'm really hoping my bag won't be too far away.
So tell me, I'm not the only one am I? What do you do when things get tricky? Dither and procrastinate like me? Throw a wobbly? Or, just plain give up?
So tell me, I'm not the only one am I? What do you do when things get tricky? Dither and procrastinate like me? Throw a wobbly? Or, just plain give up?
My late mother in law worked for a fashion house in the 60's. I could sew and I wasn't too bad as I had taken some night classes at our local polytechnic back in the 60's myself. However, she took me under her wing and retaught me and gave me advice about sewing. one piece is still with me and is something I pass on when occasions arise.
ReplyDeleteWhen you make a mistake - then you STOP working!
do not persist as 9 times out of 10 you will not fix it or make it better. Walk away from that project, work on something else. when you do return to the project it will work for you she promised.
now i do this with all sorts of things including the position you currently find yourself in Libby, so you are on track.....follow your instincts, I would say they are working very well for you. You will find the need to pick it up again [quite soon probably] and the little bit of down-time you have allowed yourself now will then allow you to power through to the finish line. It looks as if it is going to be a brilliant bag, the materials are wonderful and will be wonderful with your new wardrobe of course
The only area it doesn't work with me is in my effort to declutter .....sigh [this dictionary says this is not a word but believe me it should be if it isn't]....and I am still working on that lol.
Totally right to put it into time out. Although I call myself monogamous, I cheat on that title. You see I am multi craftual and so although there is seldom several projects of one kind happening at the same time, there are always other crafts happening. This is a perfect reason for that. Never hurts to take a brain break, breathe a breath of fresh air and then go back and finish the dance with new energy. Doing this means not only less frustrations but more enjoyment and less chance of that mojo slipping away.
ReplyDeleteworks for me anyways
ever faithful to all my crafts
b.
rav=breezy54
I think stepping back and looking away is a positive thing. When you look at it with fresh eyes, you might see what is making you think it'll turn out looking homemade when you want handmade. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI tend to step back and have a go another day, often I stall because I'm tired or overwhelmed with other stuff and continuing will just guarantee a session with the seam ripper. The next day or a few days/weeks later often results in an "A-Ha!" moment and all is well again.
ReplyDeleteI tend to step away and do something else too, and then if that doesn't work I might throw a wobbly, but I rarely give up, I'm too stubborn. I'm guessing if you take a break from this that, like magic, you'll see how to sort it when you go back to it.
ReplyDeleteGive the project a time out until you're ready to pick it back up again. Work on something else that makes you happy and you know will be successful.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your bag troubles, I guess that is just part of learning, sometimes it is painful. But imagine how wonderful you are going to feel once you tackle this challenge! You definitely have some other great projects going on too which is always a great thing! I've never heard the term "throw a wobbly" before, I love it!
ReplyDeleteI will say the same thing, sleep on it for a bit and suddenly it will all fall into place. Yes you did lose me I could feel my eyes glazing over LOL :-)
ReplyDelete