Hi Everyone I hope you are happy and well. I have had a very busy week and am looking forward to the weekend - what about you? Have you any plans - do come in and have a drink and a bite to eat. It is so lovely to see you again, you always cheer me up.
I am really thrilled this week as I have enrolled on a new evening course - printmaking. I have no idea what I am letting myself in for but that is part of the excitement. It is only 2 hours per week and is at the local college. I spoke with the course tutor who told me that I didn't need any experience whatsoever. I did warn him that I was not artistic in any way - cannot even draw a straight line - but he said that by the end of the course I would be an artist so move over Van Gogh! Last January I started a blogging course at the same college as I knew that I wanted to be able to cope with writing a blog online. So maybe this time next year I will be merrily printing off my own creations - what this space.
Talking about creations I am still struggling with the tea towel bag and have had to cut the flap down as it was too big. I didn't measure accurately and this is the outcome - undoing all of it again and trying to salvage the flap intact. I don't know about you Folks but there is something heart wrenching (maybe that is a bit strong) about having to undo work but needs must.
I cut the flap down this evening so it is a bit better but I am terrified of making a mess of the whole thing, particularly as it is a gift. I was going to put magnetic clasps in but ran out of time in my sewing class. Rachel had suggested leaving it until the next class but it would be cutting it really fine to get the bag to my daughter-in-law in time for when she meets her sister for a birthday meal. I had a look online to see the tutorials for claps but the majority of the guides say not to use fabric which will tear when the clasps are opened and shut.
As you can see the brown silky fabric is plain and quite thin so I am worried about using it as it might tear in time when using the bag.
The back of the bag.
The problem I have is what can I use for a closure? I have thought and thought about it - ribbons, press studs, buttons...........................the list goes on. I could really do with some advice from you lovely People. I did wonder if a couple of pieces of carefully placed Velcro might do the trick?
Do you like the patch with her nickname on? I have got another one for the cushion. They are really cute so I hope she likes it.
The closure needs to be quite secure as I am making the bag to keep some of her equipment in whilst she is in the salon.
Below are the fabrics which I am going to use for her cushion - dark brown for the outer shell and then the lovely orange fabric for the inner parts of the bag - I am using LillyBlossom's pattern again as it is so easy for me to do. I am thinking of using applique once again on it using her nickname of Floss to go around the front of the cushion. I hope you think this is a good idea? I also bought an orange zip to make a fab brooch for her - may put this on her bag depending on how it looks.
Rachel from my sewing class sells pieces of Liberty fabric, I could buy them all! I was thinking of making some necklaces with these two pieces, nice for Christmas. What do you think?
Finally, here is a lovely piece of Liberty baby cord which is just adorable. I was hoping to have enough to make another Clothkits dress but I don't think I have enough. Any ideas of what I could do with this would be very welcome - my ideas have run dry today.
Well lovely Folks I will close now as I am really really tired. I had to leave for work this morning at 6am so it has been a long day. I shall hopefully speak with you tomorrow when we can have a relaxing cuppa and a piece of cake.
Any ideas about the bag flap would be most welcome, I need it to be securely closed but looking good as I am giving it as a special birthday gift. I know you will come up with lots of good ideas as you are a talented and always helpful.
Nigh night to you all, have a good sleep or a wonderful day depending on where you are in our lovely world. Speak very soon, look after yourselves, lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I cut the flap down this evening so it is a bit better but I am terrified of making a mess of the whole thing, particularly as it is a gift. I was going to put magnetic clasps in but ran out of time in my sewing class. Rachel had suggested leaving it until the next class but it would be cutting it really fine to get the bag to my daughter-in-law in time for when she meets her sister for a birthday meal. I had a look online to see the tutorials for claps but the majority of the guides say not to use fabric which will tear when the clasps are opened and shut.
As you can see the brown silky fabric is plain and quite thin so I am worried about using it as it might tear in time when using the bag.
The back of the bag.
The problem I have is what can I use for a closure? I have thought and thought about it - ribbons, press studs, buttons...........................the list goes on. I could really do with some advice from you lovely People. I did wonder if a couple of pieces of carefully placed Velcro might do the trick?
Do you like the patch with her nickname on? I have got another one for the cushion. They are really cute so I hope she likes it.
Below are the fabrics which I am going to use for her cushion - dark brown for the outer shell and then the lovely orange fabric for the inner parts of the bag - I am using LillyBlossom's pattern again as it is so easy for me to do. I am thinking of using applique once again on it using her nickname of Floss to go around the front of the cushion. I hope you think this is a good idea? I also bought an orange zip to make a fab brooch for her - may put this on her bag depending on how it looks.
Rachel from my sewing class sells pieces of Liberty fabric, I could buy them all! I was thinking of making some necklaces with these two pieces, nice for Christmas. What do you think?
Finally, here is a lovely piece of Liberty baby cord which is just adorable. I was hoping to have enough to make another Clothkits dress but I don't think I have enough. Any ideas of what I could do with this would be very welcome - my ideas have run dry today.
Any ideas about the bag flap would be most welcome, I need it to be securely closed but looking good as I am giving it as a special birthday gift. I know you will come up with lots of good ideas as you are a talented and always helpful.
Nigh night to you all, have a good sleep or a wonderful day depending on where you are in our lovely world. Speak very soon, look after yourselves, lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Your new evening course sounds a lot of fun, I'm sure you will really enjoy it. I'm not sure about what you could use for the bag closure...
ReplyDeleteM x
Pretty fabrics, i love mushrooms! Velcro sounds a good idea and you could put also a button just for decor :) Good morning and have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Dorothy wish I lived closer as would defo do that printing course with you, something I've always wanted to do, so soon you can share it all with us. As for the bag, my first thought was Velcro so yes, give it a go. Some very pretty liberty fabrics and I think those necklaces you showed us a while back will look lovely. As for the pretty cord if there is enough a sweet little skirt for your grand daughter??, else a bag. Happy weekend to you lovely Dorothy and I hope you manage to make some time to rest, you must be exhausted with everything you pack in. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove pretty fabrics, i'm a bit of a hoarder and can never dare to use them! With regards to the bag closure maybe a button and loop? Or if all else falls a button and button hole will do the trick.
ReplyDeleteAs usual look forward to the next instalment and what closure you decide to go for and what to make with your fabric stash.
I think you should go for it and have a stab at a quilt. They really are easy to piece together and only the binding a little fiddly.
xxxx