My first 'pear' bag

From 'Bags & Specials' ISBN 4834755371, my rendition of Design 7:

I tracked down some magnetic closures as well:

This bag turned out really cute! I really enjoyed having to sketch out the pattern pieces and piecing the bag together based upon my knowledge of sewing other tote bags - because I certainly could not understand the Japanese directions :) The only aspect I did not like was all the hand-embroidery - it caused quite a bit of soreness in my forearm and wrist. There are many more designs that I really love in the book, I think the next one I decide on from it will require less of the hand-embroidery!

One finished sewing project justifies moving onto another:

Don't you just love that fabric?!?

Anyway, I'm using a pretty basic pattern as a template to designing my own knitting bag. I have a pretty neat idea that I want to try out to see if it will work. Mum's the word for now though :)

After searching on the internet, I located this site that has 99 embroidery letter designs... yes, 99. I downloaded one and gave it a test run on some scrap fabric... what do you think?

I would have liked to have something just a little bit bigger, but because my software program is very basic, this was a big as I could get it - just over three inches. I'm afraid to embroider it directly onto the bag because -

#1 - There is a depth difference between the blue denim and the design fabric due to how they are put together. If I continue making these bags, I will put the two pieces together differently that would eliminate this gap - but for the time being, I don't know how my machine will react to this difference in depth.

#2 - I need to do some research on the pulling of the bobbin thread to the top of the design - See this:

This is not good - the white bobbin thread is being pulled up through the design. It might be my stabilizer, and it might be that this was a practice fabric and it was not very stiff.

To resolve the problem, I think I might try to make an applique patch with the letter on water-soluble stabilizer and attach it after the bag is completed. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Comments

[mimsie]

Compared to you, I know nothing about sewing, so no suggestions here. I just wanted to pop in and say I LOVE THAT BAG~~!~~ I can't wait to see a knitting bag of your creation. =)

[Liana]

To fix this project (instead of having to redo it) just take a permanent marker, and color the bobbin thread that's showing. This is a professional technique, by the way! HTH

[Mom]

Hi Marisa,
GREAT JOB!!! I am SOooo proud of you!!! Which type of stabilizer did you use? And what type of fabric did you embroider onto? Water Sol. will probably be too thin. If you are making a patch, to be sewn on afterwards, you need not tear/cut away the backing because you will be sewing ontop of another fabric. And if you need a sturdier backing you can always use two layers of stabilizer.
Love You!