Verdant Messenger Bag- Part 4

After cutting a strap from a piece of blue leather...

                                             ...I machine stitch it into place.

                                Because the finished bag will be worn 'cross-body'...

                                                     ...the strap is rather long.

                                                           The white lining...

                        ...is designed to help make the bag's contents more visible.

                                                    The finished bag (closed)...

                                                             ...and open.

                  A close-up view of the felted-in pencil roving, 'honeycombed' batts...

                                                 ...and machine embellishment.

                                          The finished bag is a generous size...

                                    ...approximately 13 x 15 inches (33cm x 38cm).

                                                         The project back...

                                             ...and the front with bas relief circles.

Verdant Messenger Bag- Part 3

The soft felt over the flap portion of the bag...

...is only anchored at the bottom...

                                      ...so you'll notice that the sides of the flap...

                                                     ...pull-in a bit during felting.
   

                                                        Removing the resist...

                                                ...and checking the flap overlap.

                                                               During felting...

                                                           ...as I rub and roll...

                              ...the bag continues to shrink and become thicker.

                                                         Rinsing the piece...

                                                 ...and blocking it for drying...

                                        ...by stuffing it with a rolled cloth placemat.

                                                                  Once dry...

                                               ...I outline the circular 'bumps'...

                                           ...with a bit of machine embellishment.

Next time: the finished bag.

Verdant Messenger Bag- Part 2

Three soft balls of green wool...

                                            ...are added to the project surface...

                                 ...and are covered with two layers of merino roving.

                                                   The project is wetted out...

                                    ...and flattened under a sheet of bubble wrap...

                                        ...which squishes the soft balls slightly.

                                             The project is flipped to side two...

                                                ...and merino roving is added.

                                         Shown here is the mouth of the bag...

                                         ...and a narrow cuff at the 'flap end'...

                     ...(which will add heft and help to keep the finished bag closed).

                                                  Mid-way through felting...

                                     ...the balls have reasserted themselves a bit...

                                 ...and the project is beginning to harden and shrink.

                                                 Next time: felting continues...

                                        ...and I do a little machine embellishment!

Verdant Messenger Bag- Part 1

Pulling wool from a batt...

...into an open 'honeycomb' on the resist surface...

                                           ...and adding 'stripes' of pencil roving.

                                                 Covering the embellishments...

                                  ...with layers of blended yellow and green roving...

                                           ...and flipping the project to side two.
   

                             Adding additional 'opened-out' batts to the second side...

                                      ...and covering the bottom half of the resist...

                                                       ...with layers of roving.

             Additional fiber (a mix of nylon and domestic wool) is added to side two...

                                       ...and the project is flipped back to side one.

                                       White merino roving is applied to this side...

                                             
                                         ...to form a (light-colored) bag interior.

                                                            Next time: balls!

Painted Silk Messenger Bag- Part 2 of 2

Trimming the inner 'pocket' flap...for better fit inside the bag.

The finished bag (back side)...

...and front (with un-trimmed front flap).

A closer look at the back...

...and front.

Preparing to sew the inner pockets.

The finished multi-pocket flap.

The finished front flap after trimming and top-stitching.

As per my friend's preference...

...I made a 'pocket flap' with discrete, segmented pockets this time...

...in order to create more organization within!

I used 'doves of peace' fabric to line the pockets...

...both for it's complementary color, and it's energy. :)

I considered leaving the front flap untrimmed for some time...

...but finally decided that I preferred more of the silk showing...

...and that by trimming and top-stitching it, I could showcase it better.

I made the bag handle very long on this one...

...so that Melissa can wear it 'cross body' as she likes.

Next time: Something wonderfully orange (for me!!)...

...and P.S. : Melissa was well pleased with this gift!  (Whew!!)