Instructions
This is another on-the-fly design - I pleated a piece of fabric about 70cm wide and 15cm high, I smocked it with wave stitch and cable stitch, added pearls while backsmocking, then trimmed it to have rounded corners and sewed it into a basic lined purse.Difficulty:
Category: Sewing
Type of item: Accessory
For: Women
Style: Classic, Romantic, Retro / Vintage, Traditional, Formal / Bridal
Materials
Hemp/Silk satin fabric, embroidery floss, pearl beads, sewing thread, iron-on interfacing, press stud, zip
What was your inspiration?
I love this fabric - it reminds me of weddings and pearls. I originally imagined the purse as a mother-of-the-groom accessory for my Mum, but I was too slow to finish it before my brother's wedding.
What are you most proud of?
That I didn't throw the whole thing out while fighting the ^%*$ zip! Who would have guessed that 2 layers of fabric, one heavily gathered, plus interfering beads, would make sewing on a zip almost impossible? Ok, so I'm a bit dim.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
Don't try to mix smocking and zips - place the zip in flat fabric, or use some other fastener. And plan where you put pearls - keep them away from seams! I broke at least 4 badly-placed pearls while sewing the bag together.
The appearance of the fabric was dramatically improved by interfacing, I really should have added it BEFORE I started sewing it all together, Basically, I suggest planning a bit. This worked out in spite of my casual insanity, but it could have been a lot better.
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