New bag
Hi, I have not been avoiding you, I swear. And no, the SSS is still not finished. A catastrophic event happened to it (user error of course) from which I am not certain it is recoverable. I can’t even bear to look at it right now. So let’s not talk about it for now, shall we?
Good, now that confession time is over, I have a new project to share with you.
I am going to attempt to replicate a bag or as we Midwesterners like to call them, a purse. I bought this bag from a little boutique in Chicago about 10 years ago. It is much-loved and much used. It’s the perfect size. I can wear it over my shoulder and I loved the fabric and piping. It is perfect in every way to me.
There is a lot of wear and tear on this bag. So obviously I need to replace it, but I love it. So I really want to replicate it in toto. If I could find the original fabric used, I would. But I haven’t found anything similar in my cursory searches.
Here are some other views of the bag to give you a feel for its construction.
close up of piping and straps
Lining taken out of bag
zipper view
I have studied it a bit, but have not taken it apart. I am loath to do so. I did take some measurements though and toiled it to see if my measurements worked. And they did!
But here is my conundrum — I can’t figure out the order of construction. I know I have to make the pleats, piping, and straps first and that the first seam to sew is the one that connects the top part of the purse to the bottom of the purse and incorporating the straps and piping, but I have no idea what the rest of the order of construction is. I have only made lined tote bags with no closures before. Do I need to interface it? Or interline it? When do I attach the zipper? Do I do that before sewing the side seams? And how do I attach the lining? to the zipper? I can see the lining is only joined at the top. See below…
I know this is a fairly simple bag, but thinking in 3D is not one of my strengths at all. I also know that Myrna has made many, many bags before. Perhaps she might have some insight as to how this bag construction order should go. Myrna, please heed my cry of help! ;)
I have already bought my fabrics, but need to make my own piping (my first time doing that!). Here are the fabrics I plan to use…
outer fabric on left; lining/piping fabric on right
I am excited to start this project. I need a palate cleanser/break from the SSS. My funk has lasted way too long.
If any of you have made bags before and have some order of construction tips to share, I would mightily appreciate it. I don’t really want to purchase a book on bag making for a one-off project.
Thanks! And happy funk-less sewing to you all!
Hi not Myrna – so her ideas might work out better….but have made a few bags and just finished teaching my Fashion Studies class how to make a lined bag (like a make-up/pencil case). I used the pattern by Noodlehead – here’s the link
http://www.noodle-head.com/2012/06/open-wide-zippered-pouch-diy-tutorial.html
Hopefully it points you in a direction.
Sorry to hear about your problem with SSS!
As for the bag, check out this blog of alady who is a fantastic bag maker
http://u-handbag.typepad.com/
Shealso has many tips n tutorials on her blog. I think she has also written a book.
I second that u-handbag recommendation heartily! Everything you could ever need to know..
As a librarian, I feel compelled to tell you that you can probably pick up a book or two about bag making at your local library and not have to she’ll out cash for a one time use.
The u-handbag books are good and there is also an Amy Butler bag book, which I have heard good things about. Your original bag is cute!
I was going to make the same suggestion. I often get books out of the library for a new project or to get inspiration. If it is a book I can use a lot I can go ahead and buy it after using it from the library.
I’m all for copy-if-you-love-it, and there’s nothing like a successful accessory for inspiration! Good luck!
Tell Rachel Clark at that I suggested that you contact her. She’s invented the wheel on this and has made many bags/purses. And she’s a great teacher. And very generous with her time.
http://www.warehousefabricsinc.com/blog/pleated-lined-handbag/
This is a nice tutorial… I used it once and was very happy with the result.
Lorraine has just finished a very comprehensive series on bags, their structure and form. She doesn’t go into complex details about construction as she leaves that to us but goes into to the absolute basic of what a bag is and how it is formed. It might help
http://www.ikatbag.com/2013/01/make-bag-chapter-1-introduction.html
Any lined zippered pouch tutorial will do I think. Make your 4 pannels, put the zipper in, open it and then stitch around leaving an opening in the lining, taking care of putting the zipper tape towards the lining, press, trim, turn and close your lining. If you need pictures, here are some. http://sosewsomething.com/2012/03/01/lined-zipper-pouch-tutorial-so-easy/
I would interface the outside fabric with a pretty stiff woven.
Happy to help but I’m leaving in the morning and not back until Saturday night so if you have time today, email me and I’ll answer the questions – myrna (at) myrnagiesbrecht (dot) com. It’s really quite simple. Just a few tricks.
miss e, really want to make that nice new purse with a black lining? You can’t see anything inside!
Best of luck on the project, it will be beautiful. Lots of advice coming your way.