BLOG 88

Another week, another
creative blur! It is still desperately cold in rural Wales but I have solved
the problem caused by my icebox of a studio. I found that I was avoiding going
in there because the space is so difficult to heat efficiently. So I was getting
nothing done at all which was frustrating! So I have moved my Horne’s sewing
table and Bernina sewing machine into our bedroom, into the only space it would
fit. Not an ideal solution but at least I can now sew in warmth and comfort and
I couldn’t be happier. It’s the little things in life eh?!

The water scene has been
completed, apart from the machine texturing. And I will add a dragonfly; thanks
you for suggesting it.




River-scape

I have constructed the bag
this week and here are the final stages.
The bag and the lining are
constructed separately as per last week’s instructions.


Bag and lining

Insert the lining into the
bag, with WS together, and pin the edges together at 4 equal points. It helps if
the pins are put in vertically so they can be removed easily when you come to
sew.

4 pins

Pin more thoroughly to hold
the raw edges level around the top of the bag.

More pins

To bind the edges, cut a 2”
straight strip long enough to go around the top of the bag, with a small
over-lap (about 42”). Press it in half to make a double lining. Place the
lining down onto the machine, so that the outside of the bag is on top (Doing
it this way, the teeth on the sewing machine will ease any fullness in the
lining fabric to fit the outside fabric). Place the raw edges of the binding
level with those of the bag and sew around the top with ¼” seam allowance,
over-lapping with a folded edge. To prevent the lining fabric from slipping, don’t
take out the pins until you have almost sewn over the top of them.




Bind the edge

Fold the binding onto the
back and hand sew the folded edge onto the lining.

Handles

Handles: cut two 4” x 24” fabric
strips and two 1 ½” x 24” batting strips. Iron a ¼” seam allowance along the
long edge of each fabric strip. Position the batting strip onto the WS of the
fabric strip so that when the folded edge is brought over to cover the raw
edge, the seam is right down the middle. Pin and sew with a decorative stitch. Attach
to your bag to complete.