Friday, September 9, 2011

Flounce Turned Pocket...Later, Purse- Part 2

Pinned to my garment as a pocket.

 


Sewn on...and looking rather unfortunate! :(

 


Stitched together for use as a purse, and trying out different lengths of handles.

 


The finished purse...side one...

 


...and side two.

 


The purse handle with wrapped felt rectangle.

 


As pockets, these felt pieces absolutely did not work...

...standing stiffly away from the sides of my garment and looking just plain odd.

Unfortunately, before I realized how 'wrong' they were, I had sewn both of them on by machine...

...and it took quite a long time to 'un-pick' them! Grrrr.

People offered ideas about what now to do with them...

...and one of the teachers even thought they'd make great mules (slipper tops)!

I liked the idea of a 'companion pocketbook' for my garment, though...

...so I stitched the two 'pockets' together into an envelope.

I made two long, thin, felt cords and let them dry...

...then folded them into four strands and sewed them to the purse top on each side.

I cut a small rectangle from a leftover piece of felt...

...and wrapped it around the handle, stitching it closed...

...to help keep the handle cords together during use.

Next time: the garment itself!

Posted by Picasa

21 comments:

Jeanette Nord said...

Amazing stuff! SO beautiful! As always, your posts are a great inspiration to me!

A few days ago I had to start a new blog due to the problems I was having with my old one since Blogger upgraded the interface.... Big sigh!

I have a link to your blog on my new one too and hope you will stop by and say hello ;-)

The new one is also on Blogger:
http://jeanettescreative.blogspot.com/

Hope you have a lovely weekend
Jeanette

WonderWhyGal said...

As a purse, I like it. At least you are experienced enough to take the lemons and make a tasty lemonade. I am looking forward to your new projects using all of your new techniques.

pinkundine said...

I love the felt rectangle on the handle - it looks great but also so very practical ;)

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Jeanette! I'm sorry to hear about your blogger problems, but I will definitely keep track of you on your new site!!
Andrea--Yes...just trying to find the time to create, lately, though, has been problematic!
Natalie--Thanks! Yes...I needed to have a way to hold the strands together a bit. Next time, I may felt a bead over them, instead!

Melissa Plank said...

The pockets are so gorgeous with the decorative stitching, I'm glad they lead you in a new direction, because the purse looks wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Recovering ideas that weren't quite going to plan is actually a very important skill, as I've been reminded lately - well done!

Vivian said...

I'd be very interested to see how you "felt a bead over them (the straps)". Bags always mystify me, the shaping, and the needed sturdiness. Now I really want to give it a try.

Love the stitching details on the purse. You are endless inspirations!

Voie de Vie said...

Oh I really like the bag! In fact, I think it would be great to leave the felting "fringe" a little longer and bead it - like about where your pin heads are located. Depending on the beads, it could be absolutely stunning.

But then, I always see bling possibilities ... :)

Tamara Miller said...

Very beautiful! I love the handle.

Heather Woollove said...

Melissa--Thanks so much!!
Rachel--You are SO right! :)
Vivian--If you wrap some roving over the cords, it won't felt to the already felted cords, but will felt to itself as you wet and rub it...and will hold the cords together.
Denise--Great idea! Yes--you do love your bling! Grin.
Tamara--Thanks!!

MISZEK POLSKA said...

melikeit
nice drawing with the machine

Marushka C. said...

I loved these even before they had found their purpose in life, but sewn together as a purse -- GORGEOUS! I absolutely love this, even the straps are perfect. Your stitching on the flounces is amazing.

You are making me want to learn felting (which is only scary when I think about how many things I am already trying to learn, LOL).

Spinster Beth said...

Very clever!

AllyB said...

I really made a beautiful purse. Sorry that wasn't what you originally intended but it was a great save.

Kathryn Ray said...

I think that bag is quite interesting. I like the color and rustic-ness of it.

BTW, I met Cathy Bickell earlier this week. She gave me a tour of her farm and shared a bunch of her felting. So I told her about your blog. Apparently you two already know each other. :-)

Heather Woollove said...

MP--Thanks!! :)
Mary--You are too kind. "Yesssss, try making a 'leetle' piece of felt! No...it won't be a 'gateway drug' to a life of felting...not at all!!" (Said in a Wicked Witch of the West voice) Giggle.
Thanks Beth and Ally!!
Kathryn--Isn't Cathy wonderful?!?!?! I just adore her!! I wonder whether she saw her beautiful face on my blog post recently?

Alittlebitsheepish said...

They look fab as a purse, undoing machine stitching is a nightmare!

Kelly said...

Once again you have taken an oops and made it awesome! Beautiful purse!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, ALBS and Kelly!!

FeltersJourney said...

Heather I absolutely LOVE this bag! Fantastic shape, colour, styling & stitching WOW.. You are so talented..
xx

Heather Woollove said...

Deborah--Thanks for your sweet comments!! XXO-