Our Bag Is Done!

Here is photo of finished frame clutch using the fabric you voted for.







There are a couple of things to add.  I topstitched around the top of the bag to give it some structure.  My thinking was that it would to into the channel of the frame more easily.  It does.

Then, I remembered reading somewhere in my research to apply some masking tape to the edge to keep the glue off the fabric.

...zoom in on the photo on the left

and notice the glue on the frame.  You can

remove this easily with nail polish remover and

a Q-Tip.  And from your hands as wel.

Finally, thank you all for following along both on the blog here and over at the Carried Away Bag Team thread.  I will leave it up until someone decides it needs to go.  Thanks especially to Andy, Sherry, Sandra, IslandGirl, SoCalGal, Bagalicious and my DH who worked so hard getting the glue off the bag frames I ruined.

Cheers.

Metal Hinge Bag Fiasco....

Yesterday I tried to make a pattern and bag...the result was a disaster:

Andy Lyle responded via CABT with the following.  I am going to try it with scrap fabric.  Here is what she says:

I'm sorry, I don't have anything posted to show how I put the leather in. I do have a blog: http://andylylestreasures.blogspot.com/. I'll try to put something on there about the leather lacing soon. In the meantime, I bought the leather lacing at Wal-Mart. I've also seen it at Michaels, Hobby Lobby and on line. I used it in making my Black Suede Little Bag (see a picture of it here with my photos).

When I was working with the first of my flat frame wallets, I decided to try to use something to wedge the fabric into the frame. The leather is what I had handy. Dan at 3DPatternPaper (at Etsy) offers paper rope for the same purpose.

The way I do it is this:

1. Trim the fabric to fit the shape of the frame.
2. Cut a length of leather lacing to the length of the frame opening.
3. Mark the fabric to show where it should fit into the frame to insure that it's place correctly.
4. When ready, using Gutemran's or UHU glue put a bead of glue in a section of the frame.
5. Place the fabric for that section in the frame with the help of something you will use to poke it in (I used my craft sissors, an awl would be good, too.)
6. Place the leather lacing for that section on top of the fabric and cram it in to secure the fabric in the frame. If the fabric stays loose after that, you'll need to crimp the frame. That will depend on the thickness of your fabric and the size of the frame opening.
7. Complete the rest of the frame.
8. After the glue has completely dried, using a craft knife, trim any of the fabric that extends from the edge of the leather lacing.

I hope this helps.

I also found another way to get to the Uhandbag directions. They're at this site: http://www.box.net/shared/869jey4eat. I'm also going to post the pdf copy of it.

Soooo...I'm off to try Andy's technique.  Will post pictures tonight......if I can get my finger unstuck.

All Is Quiet

Grampa and the grandtwins, just pulled out of the driveway. Garth is taking the kiddos back home and will be visiting with his mother in the Bay Area. There was a lot of action around here for the last four days and the quiet is already seeping in. Time to get a grip on my sewing room and finish up three UFOs.

'This week I am taking Freddy Moran's "Liberated Wedding Ring" class. And,boy is it liberated! Not a digital maven, Freddy does not do email and has no website. To see Freddy's work, go to her photographer's website.

Here is a thumbnail photo of the pattern.

I will be spending the rest of the day pulling fabrics from my stash for the class. This qult is in Freddy Moran and Gwen Marston's second book, Freddy & Gwen Collaborate Again

I will report back on how fabulous the class was, so stay tuned.

Good Sunday Morning

This morning the usual deer were in Garth's garden...we have divided our property. Garth has the front garden planted with lavender, rosemary, agave and anything else the deer won't eat. (or don't eat much of). Our three acres is home to about 6 to 8 deer, and multiplying rapidly. The overcrowding is very sad (but that's for another blog (rant). Sorrry, lost my train...anyway I grabbed the camera and took a photo (through the window). The fawns still have spots, and they are adorable at that stage.

So..off to the sewing room to get to work on my current project. (wellll....I started it a while ago for my spring bedroom decour....still not done. But by NEXT spring I will be ready dress that bed. With this quilt....just needs binding.

The backing is an idea I got of one of the blogs I haunt.

The next project is to finish and bind my Log Cabin for fall. The fabrics really say autumn. My mini-group friend, Irene, made this quilt, and when I saw it finished I had to make it. Now I am happy.