Monday, April 24, 2006

Sewing and sewing and sewing

is all I've been thinking about this weekend. I've looked at my yarn in a daze wondering how big of a needle I would need to get it through the sewing machine. Then I remembered I've used two to five sticks to make loops out of yarn. Knitting, hmm, I can't get my mind around the knitting lately. Instead of frogging, there's lots of ripping going on. Every step of the weekender bag requires at least two or more runs to come out acceptably. I'm not following the steps outlined in the pattern, because I still haven't made up my mind about what color piping I want to use as contrast. This is what I've done so far:
Baghalfdone1
Sunday was zipper day. And let me tell you, pinning a zipper and then seaming it was just not working for me. Pinning isn't working for me most of the time, because as soon as I stick pins in the layers, they shift. As a result, I've been hand-basting everything before sewing it together, which is cumbersome as there are so many layers, but worth the trouble. I managed to put a decent looking zipper in! Hooray!!!
Baghalfdone2
I actually thought I would finish it this weekend, haha! At this rate we might be looking at another two weeks or so. But it's fascinating to watch it take shape.
Baghalfdone3
This is a view from above, with the zipper disappearing into the small side pocket.
BF's mom was admiring the bag and wondering if I worried about getting it dirty. Did any of you weekender makers treat your fabric with anything to make it stain-resistant? I probably didn't pick the most sensible colors, but I don't really care, I love the green and white print. While I was sewing, the handles landed in the wet soil of my potted palm and got dirty, but a quick rinse under the tap took it right off.
During one of the few moments that my brain wasn't occupied with the weekender, I succumbed to ordering this from the Kim Hargreaves website. Shipping is free until the end of April!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

So far, so AMAZING. I have been wanting to learn how to sew just for this pattern. And that is one of my favorite Amy Butler fabrics, too! I lurve it. Your weekender bag is just plain inspiring. Keep on truckin', Steph!

MissLucy said...

Wow, it looks fantastic! And complicated! And professional! I'm very impressed!

yahaira said...

your zipper looks perfect, the handbasting was definitely worth the pain.
I love the fabric you chose and the bag looks so lovely.
I'm always scared of those sprays, maybe test it out on one of your scraps and see how the fabric handles it. You definitely don't want it to get dirty

Carola said...

Your bag looks so professional, I wish I could sew like that or at least afford buying stuff of this quality. Seriously! You are doing such a great job there! Such a sophisticated zipper, fantastic! I do hope your fabric is not sensitive to stains, that would be a shame.

Anonymous said...

I've been dying to make this bag for a long time--I can't wait to see how yours turns out!

Anonymous said...

So. Impressed. I can't sew for anything and what things I have attempted look so amateurish and messy that I am in awe of a straight sewn seam. I love the material and look of the bag too. You are going to be so pleased when it is done.

Unknown said...

I totally agree with carola. Your bag look so professional. My goodness, you should see some of my stitches. Can't wait to see when you are done.

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous! I am in awe of how neat your sewing is. This is why I love knitting so much, I find it so much easier to turn out knitting of a standard I can live with. My sewing was never what I hoped it would be.

Heather said...

Ooh, makes me wish I'd listened to my mum when she tried to teach me to sew. I hated it back then, but now I wish I could...

She was right about piano lessons too. Always listen to your mummy. :)

Chris said...

Wow, it's looking fabulous!

Anonymous said...

I think the zipper is more than just 'acceptable'. Boy, what a job this is. I had intended of skipping the piping, but now I'm thinking I may skip the Timtex, too.
I'm very tempted with the free shiping offer from Kim. But considering that my knitting time is almost non-existant at the moment, and that I have too much yarn laying around annyway, I better be good!
(I will get back to you soon, it's so easy to comment, but takes more 'effort' to email.)

iSeL said...

I am loving the bag.
The zipper looks perfect.

Everybody is ordering from KH. Must.resist.

Anonymous said...

Woman, that looks AWESOME! I hear you about ripping things out and doing everything twice. I'm in the same boat! I'll be lucky if I finish this weekend. I still need a zipper, and template plastic.. and i just found out I measured my false bottom piece incorrectly.. UGH!

Corinna said...

hi,

great bag!!! and very nice weblog!
i also began to sew the weekender bag, but i didn't continue - first i have to buy the needed timtex.
but your bag is motivating!!!
:)
corinna

Anonymous said...

Ich bewundere deine Geduld - das sieht sehr nach harter Arbeit aus, aber es lohnt sich ganz bestimmt. Schon jetzt sieht deine Tasche absolut toll aus!

Liebe Grüße
Dana

Anonymous said...

dan't know what to say that has not been said... love the bag! your work is accurate, great choice of fabric, can't wait to see it finished!!

Peevish said...

Oooh, that Kim Hargreaves website is evil!

Anonymous said...

beautiful bag! Great job : D

KnittenKnots said...

The Weekender Bag looks like time well spent to me...gorgeous colors!

Knittypants said...

Your bag looks great. Sewing can be so much more tedious and picky than knitting (at least for me) so I am really admiring your patience and skills. All these beautiful projects I have been seeing around have been making me want to get out my sewing machine, but than I remember all the cutting, and pinning and swearing I have to do to get a finished project and I change my mind!

Anonymous said...

Your weekender bag is lovely! It's on my list of projects to make once I get more adept at sewing.

Melissa said...

the bag is looking good. can't wait to see it finished i bought the pattern for this a few weeks back but haven't had the time to pick out fabric yet.

Krawuggl said...

Die Tasche ist eine Wucht! Ich hab mir das Muster schon ein paar mal angeschaut, und eigentlich immer gedacht, so was brauch ich nicht. Aber deine Fotos sind so toll, ich glaub, ich muß sie auch auf jeden Fall haben. Umsomehr bin ich dankbar für all deine Nähtips, vor allem das mit dem Handnähen statt stecken, ich mag die Stecknadeln auch nicht so gern. Und deine Nähte sind wundervoll, so sauber und gerade, das kann ich nur bewundern.
Ich sprüh meine Taschen manchmal vor dem ersten Gebrauch mit Imprägniermittel ein, sonst hab ich bei empfindlichen Stoffen oder Leder immer Angst, sie irgendwo abzustellen, es könnte ja staubig sein. D.h. ich sprüh vor allem den Boden und die Griffe, denn da ich mit Handcreme meist sehr großzügig bin, mag ich es auch nicht, wenn die Griffe dann so speckig werden. Und das hat immer ganz gut geholfen.
Ich beneid dich richtig um das gute Stück!