I usually work on the basis of minimum input for maximum output. Cooking. Sewing. Life.
I like instant gratification.
When sewing, this typically means projects completed in under an hour. Even less if I can help it. By this time The Little One is usually done with trashing my studio and ready to move on to greener pastures.
This weeks project was the opposite. A spent the best part of Saturday making this little . . . drawstring bag?! I came to loathe that stitch unpick.
I expected it would be a twenty minute job. Halfa at the most. It took me hours.
A bit of experimentation with some dodgy eyelet pliers seemed like a good idea. Resulted in serious fabric munching and shredded drawstring. The very fun and practical waterproof lining, made for seriously slippery sewing and shoddy stitching.
But when things go wrong, it often leads to some creative ingenuity. As was the case here. I'm happy with the outcome, even if it doesn't reflect all the blood, sweat and tears.
... and I'm sure the Little Man it's been made for will appreciate the finer details of the design and craftsmanship, as he takes it off to swimming or soccer.
Be inspired by other creative spaces over here.
Be sure to check out my fabric (and more) giveaway below!
If I'm ever sewing anything practical like clothes or bags, I always find frustration takes over and ingenuity kicks in! I'm sure it feels good to have gotten it finished though!?
ReplyDeleteBec.
I so agree with that bit about things going wrong leading to creative ingenuity. I think it looks great!
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect!! And I think the hard work shows quite well...I can relate with the desire for super quick sewing projects, oh the messes children can make in such a short time :P
ReplyDeleteThe result is fantastic! Well worth the blood stains ;)
ReplyDeleteLucy it looks great! I've just had a wander around your blog, and it just lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know what technique you ended up using, but a walking foot or thin paper (torn off later) over the sticky side helps with sticky fabric (I've got some of that myself for some showercaps I'm making).
I think it's fab, and very stylish! Can imagine kids using the bag in summer.
ReplyDeleteIt's so fresh looking and gorgeous - I love it! I always find the best things come out of me making loads of mistakes :) K
ReplyDeleteI guess n ow that it's done, there was probably heaps of stuff you learnt while you made this bag. It can be hard to appreciate the "learning" while you're in the middle of it, unpicking it!!
ReplyDeleteAh, experimenting can be full of misery but lots of learning too, huh? I'd heard bad things about eyelet pliers.... The finished bag looks great!
ReplyDeletehehe - this exactly the same way most of my sewing venture head. Great outcome though!
ReplyDeleteLove the bag and I'm glad my creative space this week is not the only one about unpicking and hating the project by the end!
ReplyDeleteYour bag looks great and very professional - I really love the vibrant colours! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI think your bag was well worth the blood, sweat and tears, it looks terrific. Bright, beachy and ready for some serious summer fun.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great!
ReplyDeleteit's always the tings that appear simple that cause the most grief!! Love the stripey fabric!
ReplyDeleteI agree ~ looks like it was worth. It is fabulous. Very summery too!
ReplyDeleteThe blood, sweat and tears were worth the effort! That is one super cool drawstring bag!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out beautifully! :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks just fabulous- thankfully all the sweat was for a good cause...!
ReplyDeleteAnnamaria :)
It looks fabulous...despite the frustrations.
ReplyDeleteLove the colours you have used. You'd never know what you went through to get the finished product!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag, very practical, gorgeous colours too... but why do 'simple projects' sometimes turn bad?!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! Hopefully the new owner will appreciate the extra-specialness of it given the amount of time it ate :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous. I bet you were glad when it was finished!
ReplyDeletewhat a bright bag ~stipes and dots a favorite!
ReplyDeleteI love the bright colours of that bag. It's great!
ReplyDeletefantastic and bright, well done. Thats a very handy bag for little ones.
ReplyDeleteWell, the photo is smashing! and I enjoyed the telling of it's creation.
ReplyDeleteJust my style! :-) I love the fabric.
ReplyDeletegorgeous fabrics!!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which I like better - spots or stripes! =)
Lucy, you sound like a sewer after my own heart. Short is always very sweet in my book. : D
ReplyDeleteThe bag looks great, love stripes and spots together. And you are so right, not one single sign of a struggle. What a champ! : )
~ Alisa
This is a very cute little bag. I am all about the quick fix projects and get a bit cranky when they don't go to plan. I am learning to chuckle rather than chuck it with each ridiculous error.
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