Making beaded necklaces
July 7, 2024 8 Minutes Make THE INSPIRATION I have always loved the styling of a good necklace stack. As a kid, it was the carefree ‘I wear my friendship
What’s in my bag
Often when I make something, it’s because I get obsessed with an element of it. And more often than not, it’s the fabric. For example, the specific slub of a fabric, giving it a very textural, reach out and touch it kind of quality. Or, sometimes it’s a specific combination of colors or patterns or the drape and weight of the fabric allowing it to fall in just the right way.
Recently, I’ve been looking at a lot of “what’s in my bag” photos from Japanese and Korean women on Pinterest. Inherently, I find it fascinating to see what people deem necessary or of importance that they carry it with them everywhere they go. What appealed to me about what Japanese and Korean women carry in their bags was often the combination of minimalism and functionality or utility. Elements of minimalist design in the bags themselves, as well as the paired down, just the essentials philosophy of what is carried inside them. Of course, none of this is definitive and it goes without saying, but I’ll say it, no one nor a people are a monolith. These are just the images that Pinterest’s algorithm knew I liked and so responded by showing me more of the same.
And what does any of this have to do with anything? Well, I became obsessed with the quality of the fabric in the “what’s in my bag” image below (left). From what I could learn from translating the Japanese text, the bag is made of a quilted fabric, an Indian tradition of quilting called Kantha. It’s layers of worn saris or other similar fabrics that have been layered and then quilted together with a running stitch giving a soft and textural puckering to the resulting fabric. The image on the right is another “what’s in my bag” photo that I became enamored with. Partially because I also carry things in a clear Muji pouch in my bag. But, I also loved the specific dimensions of the leather purse – it felt just right for carrying a book or journal, in addition to few other essentials. This purse is made by a Japanese brand, Hender Scheme. Tracking down the original bag let me find the dimensions.
While I was certainly tempted to purchase the Hender Scheme bag, since I was actually able to find it, I didn’t. I have too many bags, purses, backpacks, and other sport-specific packs. In fact, I wholly have too much stuff–including scraps of fabric. So, while I definitely did and do not need another bag, I figured if I made something from my fabric scraps, I could allow myself another bag. So, that’s what I did.
I’m not a quilter and have no special talent or patience for scrap quilting. I thought about quitting multiple times part way through making this bag. I was making it on a whim, I wasn’t sure what I was trying to create, blending the look of two bags to result in a bag that would look nothing like either. But, I told myself to finish because the thing that is worse to me than having too many scraps is having too many unfinished projects. Not to mention, my floor was like an explosion of stray threads, needles, fabric pieces, scissors, and other sewing tools. So after a couple weeks of idly working on this project, I finished it last night with the promise of a clean, freshly vaccumed floor.
And, I have to admit that I’m thrilled with the end result. What really changed the project for me was when I decided I was done with the “decorative” running stitches and ready to do the interfacing. Once I had ironed on the interfacing, the puckering of the Kantha fabric that I liked was more pronounced on my bag. Also, the structure the interfacing gives made the bag look more final and I could see I had gotten the dimensions of the overall bag right.
Recommended Posts
Modified Purl Soho Quilted Vest
December 27, 2023 8 Minutes Make Vests are big on sewing Instagram right now. But after seeing this particularly fun vest from L’envers Fashion, worn & styled by @brass_tacks, I
A Month in Korea – my favorite meals
When folks asked before I left, what I was most excited about doing, or once I returned, what was my favorite part of my trip–obviously the answer to both questions
No comment yet, add your voice below!