Sunday, September 19, 2010

Thanks to Lazy Girl

I feared that the sampler I stitched was going to become one of those 'stitch and stow' items, the kind you put in the closet and never really turn into something useful. For inspiration, I ordered the Lazy Girl Runaround Bag pattern even though I've made a couple of different variations on this type of bag and really didn't need it. I was curious to see if there might be some helpful hints in a real pattern. Pink Chalk Fabrics turns out to be a good online store that I never knew about before. Fast service and decent pricing. Sure enough, the zipper insertion technique is so clever and easy. Didn't even need a zipper foot. It's one of those, "why didn't I think of that" ideas. I didn't follow the rest of the pattern exactly, but the pattern directions did provide a few other construction tips. I used fusible craft fleece to give it a bit of padding and cut it small enough so it isn't in the seam to reduce bulk. I could really have used a walking foot to make sewing through multiple layers a bit easier, but I hate to buy one for my machine since it's so old and the only one available was made my a third-party, not the original manufacturer. But they aren't very expensive, so I may decide to try one anyway for next time.

I finally decided to go with the darker fabby on the outside and the lighter one as the lining for the stitching side. And then since it looked a little bare, I added two little butterfly beads from my stash that had been quietly waiting for the right moment to make an appearance. The photo of the back makes the print look blurry, but it's fine IRL.



37 comments:

gazette94 said...

What a lovely little bag ! Gorgeous stitching and very clever sewing..

Annette said...

I love the outcame of the bag. I looked on the site and I'm in love with the cube bag..
Thanks for the link...

Jane said...

That is a fantastic bag. Love the fabric you have used too

KarenV said...

That turned out beautifully! Also, seeing your photos has helped me with a bit of a dilemma I've had with a project waiting to be finished in a similar way, so thank you. Now I think I might be able to go ahead and get it finished up :)

Kirsten said...

Beautiful finish!
I love the colors and fabrics you used.
Kirsten

Irene said...

Gorgeous finish !

BeckySC said...

It's just beautiful, Annie :)

Lula said...

That looks just great - well done

Lee said...

Your bag looks great and thank you it has given me the idea I need for a gift for a teenager.

Lainey said...

Oh Annie that is just stunning!
The fabric you chose is just perfect.

Mylene said...

What a gorgeous finish, Annie. Great job!!

♥ Nia said...

Lovely!!! :)
You bought a tutorial to learn how to sew that piece, is that right? Very cool! You did a great job :D
Have a great week sweetie :)

Blu said...

What a lovely bag! The butterflies are so cute and the whole bag is just so awesome!

Heather said...

Your bag turned out fabulous! And you were absolutely right, the darker fabric was the right choice for the outside. Well done!

Deborah said...

I love your bag! The fabric choses are perfect.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Annie, your bag came out *perfect*! Very nice finish. I like a lighter fabric on the inside too so I can see what is in there.

mbroider said...

That is so very lovely!! You are very talented...

danybrod said...

Quelle idée merveilleuse !
Merci pour cette belle interprétation Annie
J'espère que vous avez passé une bonne soirée ?
Un gros bisou et bonne semaine
J'ai copié une photo pour la mettre dans l'album ... merci !

Theresa said...

Wow!! This is gorgeous!!!!!! Love how you put it together~~

Nicky said...

Beautiful Annie, I love it, as ever, your finishing is perfect! The little butterflies are a great touch too.

Carol said...

Wonderful, Annie!! So glad your fabrics worked out well for you--they really do compliment your stitching.

Thanks for the heads up on Pink Chalk Fabrics,too. I've never heard of them, but will definitely check them out...

Gina E. said...

It looks super! I thought I'd left a comment on the previous post but I must have been dreaming...I'd said that I wouldn't have made a bag from something so pretty, but I take back my comment now, even though it wasn't published!

staci said...

Wow Annie, what an awesome bag! I love it...and now I must really learn how to sew!!!

Margaret said...

Wow! What a beautiful finish, and what a beautiful bag you made it into!!! Wow wow wow! Just gorgeous!

Anne said...

This is lovely. I love the colour matching and the style of the bag as well. You've done a great job of it !! :)

Moreen said...

Annie your bag is gorgeous, I love the design the colours and everything about it in fact I think I am going to have to make one.
Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations on your perfevt finish.

Anonymous said...

That is a great use for a piece you may of never made it into something. i have plenty of CQ blocks that could be used this way. Yours turned out gorgeous. Great color matching the fabric with your piece. Lovely!!


Ann Flowers
flowerscrazyq@gmail.com

Nancy said...

This turned out to be a beautiful finish! The fabric really compliments the design, and imagine putting in a zipper without a zipper foot! Very nice work Annie!

Carol R said...

I saw this over on the HDF forum and thought I'd pay you a visit. This is a beautiful stitch and finish of a lovely chart!

Lois said...

I love how the bag turned out Annie. It's gorgeous!

Siobhán said...

Annie, that is so neat!! A perfect finish for your sampler. :)

Karen said...

Annie, your purse is beautiful! I love everything about it!

Vinniey said...

Beautiful bag you've make, Annie! I love all fabrics you used for the outer and inner layer of this bag. Very lovely. Well done!

Billie said...

Great bag!!! Stunning finishing! I wish I could do stuff like that...

Pumpkin said...

Just brilliant Annie!!! The darker fabric really makes the piece pop :o)

Anonymous said...

This is really pretty, Annie. Congratulations.

Nima said...

wow...lovely bag finish