So, I made another project from a craft book - yes, that's number four this year! The book is I {heart} Patchwork by Rashida Coleman-Hale. I fell in love with her little patchwork cosmetic pouches so went to buy 7" zippers in every colour available to make a whole batch of them. My local HobbyCraft let me down and I only managed to get four in decent colours.
I started with the purple. I chose from my tiny stash of purple prints and cut out the linen parts. I sewed it all up and made a whole ton of mistakes. Here they are for the world to see:
See how bad my points are? And the whole thing is kind of wonky. I put this down to inexperience and also the linen which was very thin and kind of stretched and moved as I cut it. Also visible on this photo is where I didn't turn the top edge under enough before attaching the zipper - see how it's peeling open? I also used entirely the wrong colour for topstitching the zip in place, it is far to obvious and the mistakes are magnified.
Here you can see some very loopy, messy topstitching which doesn't even go to the edge! Another major factor is the zip end. The pattern in the book was great, the instructions very clear except for this one part. I didn't feel that she explained how to neated the edges of the zipper tape properly in the corners - a photo would have been good. It's probably got a lot to do with my inexperience but it just didn't make sense to me. It's the same at the other end.
Here's the rear view so you can see I'm not hiding the good side!! Notice the square and the edges where it looks like stitching has been undone? It hasn't, it's the edge of the fabric, really shouldn't have used that bit!
That was all very negative but it was a learning curve and I've picked up some valuable tips. So, I embarked on a second pouch. This time, I interfaced the linen before cutting it and marked out my 1/4 inch seam lines. The linen looks much better but I've still messed up my points. I'm hoping this is something that comes with experience and doesn't mean I'll never be able to do it as I love patchwork. Here's where I'm at:
and the view from the other side and the other end:
9 comments:
Ooooh, they're nice Wendy. I especially like the pink one. It's so sweet!
I've got the same book and have been eyeing this project too. Instead of actual linen I have been using a cotton fabric that looks a lot like linen but is a lot more sturdy. Found it for only $2.99 a yard too!
Love the patterns on the fabrics. Zip insertion can always be 'interesting'.
I understand your frustration. Sometimes I have noticed lately that I just have to walk away when I make mistakes and boy do I make mistakes. I actually think your bags look great! I don't know if I could try something that hard.
You learn by doing, Wendy - just wait - your next zipper bags will be better ... and then the next ones even better --- each time you'll figure out different techniques and shortcuts to make your project go smoother. TRUST ME on that - I've made dozens of zipper bags, and I still learn things when I make them! I avoided zippers for 30 years - now I look for zipper projects, because I've faced the zipper and IT DOES NOT SCARE ME ANY MORE! ;)
OOPS I also meant to say that your fabrics are delicious - you've put together some beautiful fabric combinations!
Oh my goodness, I know this frustration! My first zippered pouch (which I still use for makeup!) has the ends up the zippers still puckered in.
Take two scraps of about 1" long each, and fold and press in half. Then fit tabs onto the ends of the zipper, and sew in place before attaching the bag pieces to the zip. When you sew the sides of the bag together, be careful NOT to catch these tabs in the seams. This is the hardest part for me! When you turn it, the zip top will have boxy little corners, and you'll be giddy with professionalism!
OOOOOhhh... Wendy, this is so cute! I love it!
I finally made mine... came up with a few tips for the whole thing and tried to take lots of photos... http://bit.ly/eEqAPt
Hope you are having much better luck with your next ones!
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