Weaving Fabric Strips into a Bag, Part #2

 Weaving Fabric Strips into a Bag, Part #2

Last week's post took us through the process of weaving fabric strips onto a cardboard loom. Hemp string was the base (warp), and assorted 3" wide fabric strips were woven over & under the hemp. The combination of colors & textures turned out to be beautiful!

The next step was to remove the cardboard. Since this was my first time to weave both the front AND the back, I wasn't sure that it would all stay together without the cardboard.

However, I am very happy to report that it worked! The cardboard resisted due to the tight weaving, but after a few minutes of effort, the cardboard easily slid out, and I had an intact, solid, beautiful bag!

 

Here it is... no more cardboard!

Side #1 Fabric Strip Bag without the cardboard loom.

Side #2 Fabric Strip Bag without the cardboard loom.

Top view of Fabric Strip Bag, looking inside the bag.

Success! Hooray!!! 

I'm smiling from ear to ear that it was so simple to make this OOAK bag! It's ready for the finishing touches. First thing will be the lining, and the rich velvet & rich colors deserve something really pretty. A satin fabric with a sheen would be lovely. I'll add a strap or handle, probably a strap, and trim up the outside ends. It's going to be fabulous, I tell ya'... and I am one happy crafter!

Stay tuned for the final steps to this project... Part #3, Weaving Fabric Strips into a Bag.
You're gonna' love it!

Cindy Lou

@Copyright 2020 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket, OOAK

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket with OOAK Fiber Fabric

Once plain, now beautiful!

Playing at the sewing machine turned into a fun project! Using bits & pieces of coordinating colored fabrics, I created OOAK (one of a kind) fabric, then used parts of that fabric to decorate a denim jacket.The stylish jacket has great lines to it with the vertical seams on front & back. Back yoke, collar, front lapels, and front pockets are perfect places to add material & accents.

OOAK Fiber Fabric with fabric pieces, yarn, & fancy stitches.

Where to start? My "new" fiber fabric measured about 20 inches x 20 inches. Turned out it was more than enough for this idea. Good news. Leftover pieces can be used for future projects! Since the back yoke required the most fabric, it was the place to begin. Using pencil & freezer paper, I traced the yoke's outside edge onto the paper. Carefully, I cut out the yoke shape, cutting along the lines.

Setting aside the yoke shape pattern, I used the template as a frame, moving it around on the fiber fabric to find the best layout. Two photos show choices, and I chose the one with the green at the bottom center of the yoke. After deciding where to cut, I pinned the yoke pattern piece in place, then grabbed the scissors.

Placement #1 for yoke, using template.

Placement #2 for yoke, using template.

Yoke pattern pinned in place using placement #1.

The second largest piece was the collar. I repeated the same process as mentioned above. Made a pattern for the collar, carefully cut it out, exposing the template. Then used the template to position a balanced look to the front points of the collar. Pinned the collar pattern in place & carefully cut it out.

Collar pattern pinned to fiber fabric. Ready to cut.

Bottom lapel pieces were next, and fortunately I could find similar sections of fiber fabric. The front pocket accents were the last to cut, and I questioned if they were necessary, but I like the vertical accents there at the waistline. I think it was a good idea.

Pinned on fiber fabric and machine stitched the pieces in place. Used zig-zag stitch.

Yoke piece ready to sew on.

Collar piece stitched in place. Looks really nice!

Then the beading fun began! It ended up that I worked the bead accents very similarly to how you paint a picture. Work in one area with a section of beads, then move on to another area. Work that space, then move to another. Guess I worked on this piece off & on for a week or so. After day five, I thought I was finished so I hung it up.

Back yoke accented with seed beads. Not too many, keeping the front lapel as focal point.

Went back to it the next day and went, "hmmm... I think it needs some green beads on it." Sure enough.... the green added a sparkle & a pop! They say to walk away from your art and return with fresh eyes. This is just part of the process, and they were right!

Bead clusters include square, cylinder & seed beads.

Ended up with a cute, cute jacket that I think is a classy piece! It's not gaudy. It's not brawdy. But it is a beautiful statement piece with original art work in the fabric & bead placements. The added fabric & beads accent all the right places: the front V-neckline, back shoulder area, and a little touch of color at the front waist (placed vertically for a slimming effect).

Note:  All the beads were sewed on by hand, and are knotted every 3-4 beads. Not a task for an impatient soul! LoL

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket, OOAK
https://www.etsy.com/listing/681908243/embellished-denim-jacket-beaded-jacket

@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.