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.

Weaving Fabric Strips into a Bag

Not finished, but it does look like a bag! Woo-Hoo!

 A great project for a rainy afternoon!

I watched a DIY video and fell in love with the possibilities of weaving fabric strips onto a cardboard loom. Since this was my first time weaving fabric pieces, I wasn't sure how much fabric it would take, so I cut plenty. Once the weaving was finished, I realized that I had overestimated the required amount. At least I was prepared, though.

Plenty to choose from:  3" fabric strips in blacks & blues, yarns & ribbons.

 As you can see in the pictures, I chose bright colors and different textured fabrics:  black velvet, black satin, marine blue linen tweed, blue printed silk, turquoise/brown cotton batik, and assorted yarns.  I cut & tore the fabrics into strips about 3inches wide. Some strips were 14 inches long while others were 36 inches or longer. All of these fabrics were upcycled from gently worn clothing:  skirts, tops and a scarf. The velvet ribbon is new, and so is the black hemp twine

that I used as the base warp. 

(Warp is the definition for the set of vertical length wise yarns that are held in   tension on a frame or loom.  The yarn woven over & under the warp threads is called the woof, welt, or filler.)

😊😊😊 

                   All of this was done on a piece of corrugated cardboard measuring 10 inches tall & 9.5 inches wide.  These dimensions weren't planned. It just happened that the piece of cardboard from the box I used was this size. So, I went with it.  Fifteen slots were cut at the top, spaced about 5/8's of an inch apart and about 1/2 inch deep. The hemp twine was roped around the cardboard, and I had to watch the DIY video to get that right.

  

Link to DIY:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Qrh6dtSgc 

Colouricious:  Sewing Projects - Handmade Handbags - Artist Marilyn Pipe - Jamie Malden

(Used without permission, but maybe they won't object to the free advertising.) 😇

Starting at the bottom of the warp, I tied my first fabric strip onto an outside warp string and began weaving over & under the twine. When I reached the end of the fabric strip, I cut a hole in the end of the strip. I grabbed the next strip, cut a hole in one of the ends and threaded the two strips together. (Like making a chain.)  A few times I tied the ends together and left a cute bow visible.

I like both methods!

Scrunching the fabric strips down towards the bottom was a constant task, and very necessary. Doing this makes for a tight weave, and a tight weave maintains the shape that you see on the cardboard loom.  (Once the weaving is finished, the cardboard will be removed, and a loose weave will have holes in it and won't maintain its shape.)

😄😄😄

When I made it to the top of the loom, it was slow weaving the fabric strips at the edge. That's because the warp twine was very taut at this time. A pair of tweezers was most helpful pulling the thick velvet through the warp. I persevered because I wanted two strips of the black velvet at the top.

Success! The colors look beautiful together, and there is just enough of the bright shaggy yarn to give the piece that artsy look that I wanted. I love the colors, the different textures, and I love the funky yarns, ribbons & bows! Looks like some tweaking needs to be done where the fabrics are joined together. I may trim the ends or I may weave them under, but I don't have to decide that at this time. Thank goodness!

However, I do have to pull out the cardboard.

Oh, my gosh... is this going to work, and will the fabric stay intact?

Cardboard loom with warp & woof ready to be removed.

 To be continued...

 Watch for the next episode:

Weaving Fabric Strips into a Bag

 Part #2

@Copyright 2020 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

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Scrap Quilted Denim Bag

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During the holidays I watched DIY videos, and I discovered this fun craft! Basically, I built a rectangular fabric sandwich with two pieces of denim (recycled, of course). Inside I played with small pieces of fabric, layering them in a jumbled pattern. After pinning around the edges of my rectangle, and a couple of pins towards the middle, I machine stitched around the outside of the traced on heart.  Allowing 1/2 inch width, I machine stitched the inside of the heart one time.

Because the interior stitching was curved, I had to pay attention to my needle placement and carefully tug the fabric & slightly spin the fabric with each stitch. So, I decided to make the center of the heart with vertical lines. Good decision. Time to cut between the machine stitched rows, cutting through the denim & scrap pieces. (Do not cut the back lining.) Scratch the fibers to fluff the fringe, or machine wash for more fraying.

Then, I cut out the 6" heart, but added almost 1 inch extra around the outside. That's so I could zig-zag stitch twice around the perimeter (so the edges don't fray too much). It was time to stitch the heart to the bag, but in this case I stitched the heart to the pocket. 💓 Then stitched the pocket to the front of the denim panel. (The left & right side of the heart needed to be stitched to the denim panel. No problem!)

Four inch fringe is easy to add. Just cut it to size. Pin, then hand baste to the front of the denim panel. (Stitch 1/2" along the edge. Note the fringe is pointing towards the middle... very important!)

 

Machine stitch your bag together 5/8 - 3/4" from the edge, right sides together. Leave the hand basted stitches there. No need to remove them.

The outside front after stitching. Note top raw edge.

Time to select interior fabrics. Cotton batik for lining & reclaimed fabric for interior pocket. I love these colors! Cut lining fabric 1" larger than the outside bag, allowing for 1/2" seam allowances.

Pocket is pinned to the right side of the lining, then stitched in place on 2 sides & the bottom.

Turn down top edge & machine stitch.  Turn down top edge of denim bag, 1.5". Press.

Insert lining into the bag. Looking so cute! 

Strap involved piecing together coordinating fabrics to make 57" x 4" strip. Press in half long-ways.

Then fold in 1/2" from edge towards the middle & press. Fold & press both sides.

Fold together, and press. Machine stitch both sides to complete strap.

 Insert strap ends between the lining & outside of the bag. Tuck down about 1.5" (ends will not show). Pin in place. These will be secured when you stitch the lining to the denim bag. Time to stitch around the top of the bag. Leave a 1/2" border of the denim showing on the inside. Stitch around top twice sewing the shoulder strap ends in place. Now for the embellishment. Do I want to add a button?  Which color?  

 

 

The silver tone button adds a new texture & I like that. Look what the chain of tassels does:  it accents all the fringe in the heart & the outside fringe, plus it picks up the oranges & pinks. Perfect & it brings the eyes to the middle!   Forget the rhinestone bling. I want the heart to be the focal point! 

So pretty!

Hand stitched magnetic snap closure. I watched TV while I sewed them on. Pretty surprise with that textured fabric inside!

So, it's all finished, and I am very pleased! The backside showcases the leather tag from the upcycled jeans, and 3 vintage buttons... metal, of course, to coordinate with the front button.

This one will be offered for sale on my next LIVE show on Bling on the Crafts, Facebook! Tuesday nights, 7:00 pm Central.

This project turned out to be such fun, and I'm looking forward to more art creations with pieces of scraps. Guess I'll never throw out any more, never, ever! 😄

Finished bag is for sale... listed in my Etsy shop, Lady Rose Lane...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/768869561/upcycled-denim-crossover-bag-fringed?ref=shop_home_active_10&frs=1


Cindy Lou

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Crossover Denim Messenger Bag

Finished Denim Bag

Today's Thrifted Fabric Haul

 Crossover Denim Bag

Inspiration came from thrifted fabrics. Found them all during one visit to my favorite resale shop! Jeans showed very little wear, and the assorted fabrics showed none. Ended up using only three of the coordinating fabrics, and the third fabric is just a little strip of blue print on the inside pocket. Visually it adds interest and also helps the pocket be seen.

Used just the top half of the jeans for the bag. Sewed a 2" gusset on the bottom

and used one leg of the jeans for the shoulder strap.  

Sewed lining same size as the denim bag, with the bottom gusset, and added the decorated pocket. Attached the finished lining with a hand sewn blanket stitch.

Used part of a cognac silk scarf for the sash. The sash loops through two belt loops and is removable. Fold over flap is quilted and machine stitched to the bag. Flap secures with velcro and is decorated with large metal medallion.  Hanging charms bring the blue & reds together and adds fun to the bag!

Backside of the bag shows off the diamond shape beads that are hand sewn to the back pocket. Adjustable shoulder strap:  3 buttons & button hole adjustment. Strap is accented with fiber yarns, sewn to both sides of the strap.

Unhappy with the pearl accented medallion (it was rather wimpy looking), I switched it out for a large rock bead. The glass bead is blue & black and looks much, much better than the delicate pearl. Let's just say, ahem... it rocks!  Now it's ready for my Etsy Shop!

Finished Bag!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/668315154/upcycled-denim-bag-blue-jeans-bag?ref=shop_home_active_2