Difficulty:
Category: Sewing
Type of item: Accessory
For: Women
Style: Hipster, Classic, Cute, Traditional, Retro / Vintage, Casual
Materials
Stiff Coarse Weave Purple Upholstery Fabric, Printed Bubble Gum Cotton Print w/Padded Interior, Removable Padded Pocket, Key Ring Zipper Pull with Handmade Polymer Clay Beads, Purple Zipper, Metal Hardware for long straps. So what is a Flat Top with Fenders?
What was your inspiration?
What is Flat Top with Fenders? In the 1950s/60s when I grew up, a popular boys/men's haircut was a Flat Top with Fenders. The top of head was combed straight up, and cut flat as a tabletop. The fenders were the left and right margins at the temple where the flat top started.
I got the idea of making the top of the tote flat by stitching two rows, creating a ridge. Picking out the name Flat Top with Fenders was a no brainer. Ha. Ha.
What are you most proud of?
I used wrist loop metal hardware crimped on the ends of the long straps and machined sewed the straps to two inch tabs sewn into the left and right seams. Harder to explain than to actually do.
Simple bubble gumballs on a purple cotton print make handsome trim, and and split double pockets. The printed cotton lining, padding, and exterior fabric were serged together before construction. Turning the padded bag right side out is a chore, but the stiff coarse weave exterior upholstery fabric, makes this 10.5 x 12" ipad/Kindle device tote hold its shape, and does its job--to protect the device. Super function, and good looks.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
Try a coarse weave stiff upholstery fabric for your next tote project. You'll love the firm shape it creates. This purple coarse weave tote is so firm--if it had legs it would walk!
Tip: Change your machine needle to a 16/100 to handle upholstery fabric. That means you'll have needle power to assist your sewing machine power. A 16/100 needle has a bigger barrel, so it won't bend easily, and will climb up and over bulkier seams.


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