Wednesday, August 10, 2011

A Little Fabric Artsy Project

One of the sewing groups I belong to is a Designer group.  We are issued challenges,  the members do the challenge and then bring it back the next month for show and tell.  It's always interesting to see where everyone's imaginations take them. The current challenge is "make something that goes in your handbag and embellish it".  That leaves a pretty large window open for creativity.

I love playing with textures, decorative threads, etc.  When starting a project that involves manipulating fabric, there are a few books I use as inspiration and instruction.  There are these by a lady named Jennie Rainment.  They are rather pricey, coming from England.  Great books, thank you daughter!


 This book, by Colette Wolff, has been around a long time. 

I decided to make a cosmetic bag, and use several textured techniques to cover the front.  First, I cut out a piece of muslin the size of the finished surface, and drew some curved lines on it, separating it into sections.  Each section would be a different technique.


Then, with my base fabric,  I cut out pieces to texture.  I made pintucks.


Mexican tucks.


And I crinkled fabric, using Chizimi bobbin thread.  I stitched a diagonal grid on the fabric with Chizimi in the bobbin, then shot it with steam, which shrinks the Chizimi, and crinkles the fabric.


Then, I took all this mishmash of fabric, cut it to the shapes drawn on the muslin, and sewed them down with a decorative stitch.  I added some 1" origami squares, and did some beading.  The top of the bag is quilted, as is the back.  Sewed it together, with a zipper.  Lined it.  And this is the outcome.


This was fun to do.  No rights or wrongs, no instructions to follow.  Just playtime!  I'm anxious to see what everyone else does. 



22 Talk to me:

Mary Beth said...

Wonderful, creative project. I love everything about it, Gwen.

The Hojnackes said...

What a wonderful bag! I am going to have to look for Chizimi thread and try that out.

Lori said...

What a gorgeous bag, all the texture and dimension is beautiful.

Clio said...

What a work of art! I like each and every different fabric treatment.

Rhoto said...

WOW, Gwen!! Gorgeous!! You are a very patient woman ;)
Warm greetings,
Rhonda in Montreal (PR)

Irene said...

Absolutely gorgeous! When I see projects like this I am reminded that I really should set aside time for playing with fabric - it is so much fun.

Belinda said...

Oh what fun! I just love it!

Lisa said...

One day I will get around to having the time to do something like this . I have the Colette Wolff book and I adore so many things in it . Your bag looks gorgeous and looks like it was fun to make.

The Sewing and Knitting Loft said...

Very nice!

sdBev said...

Oh that is fabulous! Are you sure you like it? I mean I could give it a good home. (smile)

Sigrid said...

Awesome. Love all the different techniques and how you combined them in the bag. Inspirational.

Bunny said...

Fabulous bag! This is what I call heavenly, free wheeling sewing, the best. I can feel you love it too!

Claire S. said...

Wow - beautiful, I love your new bag !

Linda T said...

FABULOUS!

Terry said...

That is lovely.

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Oh my goodness - look at your beautiful tucks! And who knew about this crackling thing? It's amazing - you're an artist!

Fran said...

Absolutely Beautiful!

Texan said...

Stunning!

Audrey said...

It is too pretty to hide in a handbag. Maybe you can use it as a clutch purse. I really like the gold bead embellishment. They really accent the unique textures. I have all those books in my library. I love to look through them for inspirational ideas.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely fabulous!!

Linda T

Anonymous said...

That is simply beautiful, you have the hands of a sewer and the soul of an artist. Laura UK

Anonymous said...

i really like this project. i am going to do one as a purse to go with a special outfit i am making

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