Monday, July 27, 2009

Selvage Bag # 3

As soon as I made my first selvage bag, my Mom asked for one. I had to collect a bit more selvages, though, so I waited.

Mom's birthday was Friday, July 24, and we spent a good part of the day together. I fixed a problem with her computer and we did some shopping.

When I got back to my house, I gathered my stuff. First, I needed the "extras," the fabric I would use for the lining, the pockets, and the trim, and thread and notions. I wanted several pockets, a zippered pocket and a key fob. I also knew my Mom would want the bag to close somehow. I had this funky pink button I had bought for another project, and never used. It would be perfect.

(you can click on all the photos to enlarge.)
My Mother is a professional artist, and she's not afraid of bright color. I made the big panel of selvages for the bag itself. The selection and placement of each selvage strip was carefully planned and deliberately placed. I knew exactly what I wanted.
Then I made the handles.Next I made the panels for the pockets and sewed them to the lining, and then assembled everything.Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. I almost forgot to add the handles at the right time. One of the handles was twisted, and I had to rip it out and fix it. But the crowning glory came when I tried to insert the lining and sew the two big pieces together. Somehow I had mis-measured and the lining was way too small for the bag. In frustration, I threw it aside and did some housecleaning.After I cooled down a bit, I realized it was a simple fix. After dinner I went back into the sewing room, fixed my mistake, and finished the bag.It's really quite beautiful, and I am very happy with it. I brought it over to my Mom's house on Sunday morning. My Mom was thrilled, and immediately transferred the contents of her purse to this bag.Even Millie approves.

11 comments:

Ariane said...

I love it. It's gorgeous!!!

Tonya Ricucci said...

beautiful bag! your mom is going to look quite stylish. great pic of the kitty too.

Malissa said...

Oh, my, gosh. I am such a sucker for rainbow order -- those in-progress pictures almost did me in. Gorgeous!

Malissa said...

Oh, my, gosh. I am such a sucker for rainbow order -- those in-progress pictures almost did me in. Gorgeous!

Selvage Quilter said...

Wow! What a beautiful bag! Any artist would be proud to carry that around town. I hope she doesn't get mugged by some quilter!I really love that rainbow arrangement. Great photos. I'm glad you remembered to take step-by-step photos.

Gari in AL said...

Having run out of bobbin thread shortly after started my 5th panto pass, I can feel your pain of "things going bad." But your finished bag is beautiful. And you are really doing great stitchery.

Poppy Q said...

The bag is sweet, and the colours so pretty together. Well done!!

Unknown said...

very nice! and an artist would love that rainbow of color.

Mia said...

Millie should approve, that is a beautiful bag!!! You id an outstanding job.

carol said...

What a lucky mama you have. The bag is gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

If Millie approves, then it's purrrrrrrrfert ! ;-)