I used Liberty Gardens fabric from my stash. Like many of you who are making purses, I found the directions to be somewhat lacking and had to study and think to understand how to construct the bag. My downfall came at the end and had nothing to do with the pattern. The bag has some elastic at the top which keeps the bag from gaping open. I had already decided I wanted to also use a magnetic closure. The closure came with no directions. I had applied a closure to a purse a few years ago and somewhat remembered how to do it. I was thinking that you poked holes through the bag from the outside and did so. That left me with unattractive metal on the outside of the bag. I thought it should have had something decorative. Then a light bulb went on and I knew I should have added the closure before the bag was completely constructed. I opened the bag lining and applied the closure to the lining only. That leaves me with tiny holes on the outside of the bag but you can't see them at all without looking for them. Another problem was not knowing how to use these Fasturn tube things. I had purchased the set probably 15 years ago and they have set in a drawer since that time. The handles for the bags are made with tubes and the cotton filler used in upholstery. I studied the directions that came with the Fasturn and most of it made no sense to me. I finally figured out how to get the tubes turned but not how to use the set to pull the cotton into it. I finally ended up getting out an old tube turner wire that I had from years ago and used it. I thought that the bag only had one strap but it uses two, so I had to repeat the process. I prefer one strap as I have narrow shoulders and handbag straps are forever sliding off. The tube turning set was $36 and was not a wise investment for me. If I ever need to use them again, I will look for an online video on how to use it.
A dear friend gave me this soup tureen which goes with my Pfaltzgraf Americana folk art dishes. I had admired it at her home several times. She decided that it needed to be at my house as she had never used it. It has been sitting on my kitchen counter ever since she gave it to me. I love it!
I have been working on my applique project and some more on the borders for my star quilt. No pictures today. I will show pictures on the next post of those projects.
A dear friend gave me this soup tureen which goes with my Pfaltzgraf Americana folk art dishes. I had admired it at her home several times. She decided that it needed to be at my house as she had never used it. It has been sitting on my kitchen counter ever since she gave it to me. I love it!
I have been working on my applique project and some more on the borders for my star quilt. No pictures today. I will show pictures on the next post of those projects.I am glad that you stopped by for a visit and am looking forward to you coming again!
Karen
16 comments:
What a pretty bag! I need to try those magnetic closures one of these days. I just made a bag that I want to enlarge and make again. The directions were very clear thank goodness! :0)
Oh wow, I used to have those Pfaltzgraf Americana folk art dishes!!! Too many were broken over the years, so they went bye-bye in a garage sale. Always loved those!
I'm glad you talked about your frustration of reading the pattern. I too find that several patterns are lacking and I have to sit there and read over and over...either that or I'm very "slow" to "get it!" Either way...your bag is lovely. I've never tried those fast turns but have a friend who swears by them and loves them.
Very pretty bag, Karen! I too prefer one handle, my shoulders slope and things fall off. I like my handle long enough to cross my chest.
My friend has those turner thingies and has never used them.
Love your new soup tureen!
What a great bag!! You are soo lucky to have a set fast turns, looked for them for years but no luck sofar. Many years ago when I worked at a quiltshop we sold them, but then I was never into bags hihi, now that I finally do, I can't get a hold of it hihi. What a lovely collection of thimbles you have!! Happy sewing on your stars, hugs, Daniëlle
The bag is lovely. Glad you got everything figured out. Love your new soup tureen. Enjoy!
Cool bag and HOORAY for figuring it out!! I LOVE the tureen, when you get tired of it you can send it to me LOL.
Crispy
I really like your bag! I have run into problems with patterns too - lacking in instruction. Were the magnetic closures the ones that you can sew on or have to punch the hole for. I found some when I picked up that tote pattern a week or so ago that actually sew on and they're wonderful.
Don't people know that we directions for all these gadgets. It can be very frustrating sometimes but you did a great job despite the set backs.
Karen... welcome to the club ... having bag instruction problems...lol.. I am totally hopeless when it comes to bags.. love them to bits but am always nervous getting them together.. :O) You did a fantastic job... love the bag.. think I have that pattern .. hmm Yes I do... saved for a someday bag.. :o)
Very nice bag Karen! I made a bag a while back that had the cotton filler cord for the handles and the bag directions were bad. I ended up using a huge safety pin. :-/ I finally wrote to them and it turned out that although I had just bought the pattern, they had re-written it, so they emailed me the new version. Now I'm waiting for an opportunity to try out the new directions. ;-)
I admire your stick-to-it-ness, Karen. If it were me I'd have probably thrown it in the trash. It's frustrating when you purchase patterns that are not explained properly. I think if more designers/patternwriters would write them with the assumption that the person making the item knows little or nothing about what they are going to attempt to make then the frustration that you experienced would probably not have happened. Oh to live in a perfect world, huh?
That being said, I think your bag turned out wonderfully. Wear it well!
despite the difficulties, the bag looks fantastic! great colors.
Love the soup tureen! what a great friend.
Love the bag and the fabric that you used. Glad you figured out the directions :o) And your soup tureen is absolutely fantastic - love the look of it.
Judie
I have the same bag pattern but haven't tried it yet. I tend to stay away from magnetic closures because I carry a digital camera with me. If you have other tips on the bag, I'd love to hear them. I've also had the Fasturn tool for years but I use mine a lot and love it! It just takes some practice so don't give up on it.
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