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zig-zag'd patchwork bag
I managed to sneak in some sewing at my parents' house this weekend. I made this bag from my favorite japanese craft book, Machine Made Patchworks. I'm hooked on the zigzag now.
I love picking out fabrics for patchworks. This bag is a surprise gift and I thought the recipient would appreciate the origins of all the different fabrics I used. I tried to id them all over here on flickr. I love the note feature!
The magnetic snap is a little on the freakishly strong side. The bag is impossible to open while on your shoulder, you have to get both hands on it and pry it open. I need think of a fix for that.
June 5, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
Ooh, I love the zigzag stitching. Can I ask: how did you make that? Were the print fabrics pieced first or appliqued to the main bag fabric? Is that variegated thread? Whatever, it all looks very graphic and gorgeous. Thanks!
Posted by: Anamaria | Jun 5, 2005 10:17:27 PM
That is so cute!!!!!!
Posted by: Heatherica | Jun 5, 2005 10:34:10 PM
love the fabric choices!!
Posted by: Alexia | Jun 5, 2005 10:49:40 PM
the bag is so nice!! i am sure the recipient will love it!
Posted by: momo | Jun 5, 2005 11:20:02 PM
your bag is sooo beautiful.
Posted by: karin | Jun 6, 2005 12:40:45 AM
I love this...I might try it, it seems like an easier variation on "quilting" when you put in your lining, do you sew it in by hand, or do you use a machine?
Posted by: joy madison | Jun 6, 2005 1:14:56 AM
Well, at least you will be safe from pickpockets.
Posted by: kaysusan | Jun 6, 2005 2:31:34 AM
I love this bag--what wonderful colors and fabrics together. Gorgeous! Oh, and I'm having the same problem with some of those magnetic snaps....hmnn....I think the key might be to use the smallest size (ie. weaker magnet?).
Posted by: amanda | Jun 6, 2005 6:21:15 AM
That's a great quilt idea. I like how some of the squares are left blank for the main color to show through!
Posted by: Laural | Jun 6, 2005 6:50:51 AM
I definitely had to stop using the larger size of magnet. They can tear right out of your bag! The small one is plenty strong and has worked on all sizes so far. I wonder where the large one would come in handy?!
Your bag is great... what a fabulous idea on how to use so many different fabrics and not too much of them!
Posted by: Susanne | Jun 6, 2005 6:54:49 AM
I posted a tutorial on craftster about magnetic snaps and got lots of cool responses and improvements. I used to attach the "frames" to a small fabric sqare. I'd then sew the squares to the backside of the lining, and that prevents it from tearing through the fabric. (You do end up with visible stitching in the lining though). Another person suggested using plastic canvas, and that works well too.
Love the bag!
Posted by: AngelaM | Jun 6, 2005 7:11:33 AM
I know there are less-strong magnetic snaps out there and I need to find them! They can do a number on the bag if the fabric sides are not properly reinforced.
Posted by: jenny r | Jun 6, 2005 8:10:04 AM
I just read the previous comment. . . yep, you do need to back them with interfacing or several plys (or plies) of fabric but they can still rip at the holes you have to create for the prongs.
Posted by: jenny r | Jun 6, 2005 8:11:40 AM
that bag is so beautiful! WOW!
Posted by: cheryl | Jun 6, 2005 8:55:33 AM
Another fabulous bag! Love the fabrics. I have got to get my hands on that book.
Posted by: Stephanie | Jun 6, 2005 9:24:38 AM
how fantastic. i can't believe you just snuck this in. it would have taken me weeks! :) mav
Posted by: maria | Jun 6, 2005 9:48:08 AM
beautiful bag! with the zig-zag stitching, it looks similar to pojagi. love the way you noted where you got the fabric (over on flickr) very lucky girl to get such a pretty gift!
Posted by: debbie | Jun 6, 2005 10:14:29 AM
Kawaii! Very chic and lovely. Oh, and I experienced the same thing with the magnetic closure. It feels like it is going to rip right through the fabric! I think I will get a teeny one next time ...
Posted by: Mariko | Jun 6, 2005 10:14:39 AM
i LOVE this bag! i need to make 2 baby quilts asap and i might try this technique -a cool spin on "simple" patchwork.
you are so clever!
Posted by: friendbunny | Jun 6, 2005 10:50:40 AM
another purse that has completely blown me away! i absolutely luv it!
and yeah, the square with the yellow polka dots is from me. i am so happy that you are getting use outta the fabric :)
Posted by: elizabeth | Jun 6, 2005 10:53:29 AM
That design on the outside of the bag is great. Love it!
Posted by: Lu | Jun 6, 2005 10:55:24 AM
wow! really nice and so happy looking! I love zai-zag. I use it for all my applique on my big quilts too.
Posted by: amy k. | Jun 6, 2005 11:02:52 AM
Lovely bag... really elegant in its simplicity! I'm also loving the zig-zag and satin stitch applique methods - so easy and fun!
Posted by: kelly | Jun 6, 2005 11:15:41 AM
Wow, this bag is so, so cute. I really love it, great job!
Posted by: Amber Lee | Jun 6, 2005 12:25:08 PM
Hi, I just wanted to say that I adore your blog and crafts.
Posted by: Dagmar | Jun 6, 2005 12:29:05 PM
Really lovely bag! The patterns all work so well togethr!
Posted by: robin | Jun 6, 2005 12:46:23 PM
hey thanks everybody! I hope the recipient does like it. here are some answers...
the squares have batting behind them and then are appliqued with the z.z. stitch to the bag. I did the grid first and then the squares inside.
nope, not varigated thread
I sewed the lining in by machine. front and back get a layer of batting and then are sewed right sides together. Then the lining is popped in and it's sewn by machine with the straps sewn in there too.
I'm awful at explaining things. Hope that makes sense!
Thanks for the magnetic snap advice. I'm thinking I might try to glue some felt or something on one side of the magnet to make the connection less powerful. We'll see how big of a mess I make of it.
Posted by: Hillary | Jun 6, 2005 2:14:20 PM
i love the use of stitching. so amazing and the placement of blocks of fabric is perfect. wow.
lisa
Posted by: Lisa | Jun 6, 2005 2:52:45 PM
Lisa - I made it exactly as the pattern in the book had it laid out. I was messing around with the blocks and couldn't get them to look right and then was all aha! - do it just like in the picture :)
Posted by: Hillary | Jun 6, 2005 3:22:33 PM
This bag is awesome! I love how graphic the stiches are. What a neat twist on quilting!
Posted by: dcknits | Jun 6, 2005 3:53:12 PM
Very cool bag + idea...oh the ideas are buzzing!! And I use these snaps on my animal tote bags and what I do is make the lining fabric a bit longer so you have about 2 inches that you can fold down. That way, you can attach the magnet to the wrongside of the lining fabric + fold it down in between the lining + the exterior. (So the magnet is facing the wrongside of the lining fabric) That way you have a piece of cloth in between both of the magnets so you can actually open them! Hope this makes sense...I even use a small piece of vinyl scrap sandwiched in the clasp to stengthen it.
Posted by: sarah (the small object) | Jun 6, 2005 4:55:22 PM
That bag is so eye-candy-lovely!
Posted by: Giao | Jun 6, 2005 8:22:22 PM
Beautiful as always! Great work, Hillary, I love the bag.
Posted by: Sarah | Jun 7, 2005 11:32:36 AM
I love that bag! Very cute! New reader here :) Would love to know where you get your beautiful fabrics from? Thanks!
Posted by: Amanda | Jun 7, 2005 2:22:25 PM
That technique is sooo cool! The bag is fantastic!
Posted by: yardenxanthe | Jun 7, 2005 10:31:39 PM
your tote bag is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!
Posted by: k | Jun 8, 2005 6:33:35 PM
What a cute bag and such a great way to use up small scraps of fabric.
Posted by: nicci | Jun 15, 2005 1:49:25 AM
HOW DID U MAKE THAT!!! THAT IS GORGEOUS!! UR REELY TALENTED! please email the instructions on how 2 make that i would be soooooooooooooooooo gratefull!!!!!! LOL IT IS tres tres beautiful!
Posted by: Kwlkitten | Aug 17, 2005 11:28:16 AM
Have you made the purse that is quilted in strips from this book? I've been looking for the pattern everywhere can you share?
Eurcinia
Posted by: Eurcinia | May 31, 2006 3:07:32 PM
hi , i love ur blog !! it is so nicely decorated . can u let me know if u sell the fabrics ?
Posted by: jamie | Jul 6, 2007 12:06:20 PM
