#handmade-bags — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #handmade-bags, aggregated by home.social.
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Why Crochet Bags Stretch — And How I Finally Fixed Mine
If you have ever finished a crochet bag, held it proudly in your hands, and thought:
“This looks amazing.”
…only to use it for one day and suddenly realize it now hangs halfway to your knees…
trust me, you are not alone.
For years, crochet bag stretching frustrated me more than almost anything else in crochet.
I would spend hours designing a beautiful tote or market bag. It would look perfect laying flat. The stitches looked neat. The shape looked structured. The straps looked sturdy.
Then reality happened.
I would actually use the bag.
And suddenly:
- the straps stretched
- the body sagged
- the bottom drooped
- the sides warped outward
- the entire shape changed
Sometimes dramatically.
At first, I honestly thought I was just doing something wrong.
But after years of crocheting bags, testing yarns, experimenting with stitch patterns, and learning through a lot of trial and error, I finally realized something important:
Most crochet bags stretch because crochet itself naturally stretches.
Especially open stitch patterns.
Especially cotton.
Especially market bags.
And honestly? A lot of patterns never really explain that part clearly.
Why Crochet Bags Stretch So Much
Crochet fabric is flexible by nature.
Unlike woven fabric, crochet stitches are made from loops pulling against loops. That flexibility is part of what makes crochet soft, comfortable, and beautiful.
But in bags, flexibility can quickly turn into sagging.
The moment you add:
- water bottles
- yarn
- books
- groceries
- wallets
- phones
- everyday weight
…the stitches begin pulling downward.
And over time, they keep stretching farther.
Open mesh and lattice stitches stretch even more because they have larger spaces between stitches with less structural support.
That is why a crochet bag that looks small and compact while empty can suddenly become huge once you put items inside.
The Biggest Mistake I Used to Make
For the longest time, I designed bags based only on how they looked empty.
That was my mistake.
I did not think enough about:
- gravity
- weight distribution
- fiber behavior
- long-term stretching
I would finish a bag, photograph it beautifully, and think the job was done.
Then after actual use, I would realize the straps had grown several inches longer and the entire bag had changed shape.
That is when I started studying what was really happening structurally.
Cotton Is Amazing… But Also Sneaky
One thing many crocheters discover the hard way is that cotton yarn behaves very differently from acrylic.
Cotton is:
- durable
- washable
- crisp
- beautiful for bags
But cotton also has weight.
And once cotton stretches, it tends to stay stretched.
This becomes even more noticeable in larger bags or mesh bags because the weight of the yarn itself contributes to the pulling.
That does not mean cotton is bad for bags.
Honestly, I still love cotton for bags.
But now I design with its behavior instead of fighting against it.
What Finally Fixed My Crochet Bags
After a lot of experimenting, I found that fixing stretching is not about one magical trick.
It is about combining several smart design choices together.
1. Smaller Hooks Changed Everything
This was one of the biggest improvements I ever made.
For years, I crocheted bags using the hook size recommended on the yarn label.
Big mistake.
Now, I almost always size down my hook for bags.
A tighter fabric:
- stretches less
- holds shape better
- creates more structure
- feels sturdier
The difference is honestly shocking.
2. Dense Stitches Matter More Than You Think
Some stitches naturally stretch more than others.
Very open lace and mesh patterns can be beautiful, but they often need support from surrounding structure.
That is why I started balancing open designs with:
- solid sections
- reinforced bands
- tighter borders
- structured bottoms
That combination made my bags hold their shape dramatically better.
3. The Straps Need Special Attention
Bag straps are usually the first thing to stretch.
I learned this the hard way.
Now when I design straps, I think about:
- stitch direction
- density
- width
- reinforcement
Sometimes I intentionally make straps shorter than I want them to end up because I already know they will relax with use.
And honestly? That one adjustment alone helped tremendously.
4. Gauge Actually Matters for Bags
I know.
Nobody wants to hear that.
But for bags, gauge affects more than size.
It affects structure.
Loose tension creates softer, stretchier fabric.
Tighter tension creates stronger fabric.
When testers tell me a bag turned out much larger than expected, tension is often a huge part of the reason why.
5. Real-Life Testing Changed My Designing Process
This may sound obvious, but I used to evaluate bags mostly by appearance.
Now I test them like actual bags.
I load them with:
- yarn
- groceries
- notebooks
- random household items
Then I let them hang.
That tells me far more than flat photos ever could.
Some bags look beautiful but fail completely under real-world use.
Others become softer and more beautiful over time while still holding their structure.
Testing taught me the difference.
The Truth About Stretching
Here is something important I wish more crocheters knew:
Some stretching is completely normal.
Especially in market bags.
Especially in cotton.
Especially in mesh designs.
A crochet bag is not supposed to behave exactly like stiff commercial fabric bags.
The goal is not eliminating all stretch.
The goal is controlled stretch.
There is a huge difference between:
- a bag relaxing naturally
and - a bag losing its entire shape
Once I understood that difference, my entire approach to designing bags changed.
Crochet Taught Me Patience
Honestly, fixing my crochet bags taught me something bigger than just construction techniques.
It taught me patience.
Crochet is often about experimenting, failing, adjusting, and learning over time.
Sometimes the projects that frustrate us most are the ones that teach us the most in the end.
And after years of stretched straps, sagging totes, and floppy market bags…
I can finally say:
I think I figured it out.
— Tanya
#cottonCrochetBag #crafts #Crochet #crochetAdvice #crochetArticle #crochetBagPatterns #crochetBagProblems #crochetBagStretching #crochetBagSupport #crochetBagSupportTips #crochetBagTutorial #crochetBags #crochetBlogPost #crochetBlogger #crochetBusiness #crochetCommunity #crochetConstruction #crochetCottonYarn #crochetCraftsmanship #crochetCreativity #crochetDesign #crochetEducation #crochetFixes #crochetForBeginners #crochetGauge #crochetHacks #crochetInspiration #crochetLearning #crochetLifestyle #crochetMaker #crochetMarketBag #crochetMistakes #crochetPatternDesigner #crochetProjects #crochetShaping #crochetSkills #crochetStitchTips #crochetStraps #crochetStructure #crochetTechniques #crochetTension #crochetTexture #CrochetTips #crochetToteBag #crochetTutorialBlog #crochetPattern #crochetingBags #diyCrochetBag #fiberArts #handmadeBags #HodgePodgeCrochet #pattern #whyCrochetBagsStretch #yarn #yarnLover
HodgePodge Crochet 🧶 -
In other news I have been having *fun* with hi-viz HTV. #mushrooms #handmadebags #safety
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In other news I have been having *fun* with hi-viz HTV. #mushrooms #handmadebags #safety
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In other news I have been having *fun* with hi-viz HTV. #mushrooms #handmadebags #safety
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In other news I have been having *fun* with hi-viz HTV. #mushrooms #handmadebags #safety
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In other news I have been having *fun* with hi-viz HTV. #mushrooms #handmadebags #safety
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Somerville Open Studios is this weekend! I'll be selling handmade bags and reflective gear at the Armory both Saturday and Sunday. I have several #StarTrek bags for TOS / TNG / DS9, about a million nerdy tote bags, and new rear-reflectors and retro-reflective stickers for your #bikeTooter needs. Stop in and say hi!
#handmade #handmadebags #ttrpg #artforsale #SomervilleMA #SomervilleOpenStudios
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Somerville Open Studios is this weekend! I'll be selling handmade bags and reflective gear at the Armory both Saturday and Sunday. I have several #StarTrek bags for TOS / TNG / DS9, about a million nerdy tote bags, and new rear-reflectors and retro-reflective stickers for your #bikeTooter needs. Stop in and say hi!
#handmade #handmadebags #ttrpg #artforsale #SomervilleMA #SomervilleOpenStudios
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Somerville Open Studios is this weekend! I'll be selling handmade bags and reflective gear at the Armory both Saturday and Sunday. I have several #StarTrek bags for TOS / TNG / DS9, about a million nerdy tote bags, and new rear-reflectors and retro-reflective stickers for your #bikeTooter needs. Stop in and say hi!
#handmade #handmadebags #ttrpg #artforsale #SomervilleMA #SomervilleOpenStudios
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Somerville Open Studios is this weekend! I'll be selling handmade bags and reflective gear at the Armory both Saturday and Sunday. I have several #StarTrek bags for TOS / TNG / DS9, about a million nerdy tote bags, and new rear-reflectors and retro-reflective stickers for your #bikeTooter needs. Stop in and say hi!
#handmade #handmadebags #ttrpg #artforsale #SomervilleMA #SomervilleOpenStudios
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Somerville Open Studios is this weekend! I'll be selling handmade bags and reflective gear at the Armory both Saturday and Sunday. I have several #StarTrek bags for TOS / TNG / DS9, about a million nerdy tote bags, and new rear-reflectors and retro-reflective stickers for your #bikeTooter needs. Stop in and say hi!
#handmade #handmadebags #ttrpg #artforsale #SomervilleMA #SomervilleOpenStudios
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Yessss I was able to finish up the last bag in what shall be known as the Mad Science Triptych this morning, so I’ll have it for sale tomorrow at the Artisans Asylum Winter Maker’s Market. I’m still noodling on some ways to improve the tech pocket (it’s a lot of small seams in tight corners) but overall I’m really happy with these.
Market is TOMORROW December 8 1-6p at Artisans Asylum, 96 Holton St Boston. Much art, many makers, so wow.
https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-for-controlled-reactions
#science #chemistry #art #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #SomervilleMA
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Yessss I was able to finish up the last bag in what shall be known as the Mad Science Triptych this morning, so I’ll have it for sale tomorrow at the Artisans Asylum Winter Maker’s Market. I’m still noodling on some ways to improve the tech pocket (it’s a lot of small seams in tight corners) but overall I’m really happy with these.
Market is TOMORROW December 8 1-6p at Artisans Asylum, 96 Holton St Boston. Much art, many makers, so wow.
https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-for-controlled-reactions
#science #chemistry #art #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #SomervilleMA
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Yessss I was able to finish up the last bag in what shall be known as the Mad Science Triptych this morning, so I’ll have it for sale tomorrow at the Artisans Asylum Winter Maker’s Market. I’m still noodling on some ways to improve the tech pocket (it’s a lot of small seams in tight corners) but overall I’m really happy with these.
Market is TOMORROW December 8 1-6p at Artisans Asylum, 96 Holton St Boston. Much art, many makers, so wow.
https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-for-controlled-reactions
#science #chemistry #art #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #SomervilleMA
-
Yessss I was able to finish up the last bag in what shall be known as the Mad Science Triptych this morning, so I’ll have it for sale tomorrow at the Artisans Asylum Winter Maker’s Market. I’m still noodling on some ways to improve the tech pocket (it’s a lot of small seams in tight corners) but overall I’m really happy with these.
Market is TOMORROW December 8 1-6p at Artisans Asylum, 96 Holton St Boston. Much art, many makers, so wow.
https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-for-controlled-reactions
#science #chemistry #art #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #SomervilleMA
-
Yessss I was able to finish up the last bag in what shall be known as the Mad Science Triptych this morning, so I’ll have it for sale tomorrow at the Artisans Asylum Winter Maker’s Market. I’m still noodling on some ways to improve the tech pocket (it’s a lot of small seams in tight corners) but overall I’m really happy with these.
Market is TOMORROW December 8 1-6p at Artisans Asylum, 96 Holton St Boston. Much art, many makers, so wow.
https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-for-controlled-reactions
#science #chemistry #art #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #SomervilleMA
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Oh, and have a video of the sparkles...
#neurons #neuroscience #handmade #art #science #sewing #handmadebags
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Oh, and have a video of the sparkles...
#neurons #neuroscience #handmade #art #science #sewing #handmadebags
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Oh, and have a video of the sparkles...
#neurons #neuroscience #handmade #art #science #sewing #handmadebags
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Oh, and have a video of the sparkles...
#neurons #neuroscience #handmade #art #science #sewing #handmadebags
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Oh, and have a video of the sparkles...
#neurons #neuroscience #handmade #art #science #sewing #handmadebags
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I just finished this up today and I'm *delighted* by how it turned out. I added a tasteful number of aurora rhinestone rivets to the flap to represent neuron signaling (also because my aesthetic sense has not evolved even a tiny bit since I was an Irish dance-obsessed middle schooler). Rainbow hardware (because of course) and pockets galore inside and out.
I'll have this bad girl for sale this Sunday at the Somerville Flea at the Armory or online at https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-of-neural-activity
Surface pattern design by Sumana Mahata (https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage) / bag design by me.
#sewing #handmade #handmadebags #shopsmall #shoplocal #neurons #neuroscience #science #art
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I just finished this up today and I'm *delighted* by how it turned out. I added a tasteful number of aurora rhinestone rivets to the flap to represent neuron signaling (also because my aesthetic sense has not evolved even a tiny bit since I was an Irish dance-obsessed middle schooler). Rainbow hardware (because of course) and pockets galore inside and out.
I'll have this bad girl for sale this Sunday at the Somerville Flea at the Armory or online at https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-of-neural-activity
Surface pattern design by Sumana Mahata (https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage) / bag design by me.
#sewing #handmade #handmadebags #shopsmall #shoplocal #neurons #neuroscience #science #art
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I just finished this up today and I'm *delighted* by how it turned out. I added a tasteful number of aurora rhinestone rivets to the flap to represent neuron signaling (also because my aesthetic sense has not evolved even a tiny bit since I was an Irish dance-obsessed middle schooler). Rainbow hardware (because of course) and pockets galore inside and out.
I'll have this bad girl for sale this Sunday at the Somerville Flea at the Armory or online at https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-of-neural-activity
Surface pattern design by Sumana Mahata (https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage) / bag design by me.
#sewing #handmade #handmadebags #shopsmall #shoplocal #neurons #neuroscience #science #art
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I just finished this up today and I'm *delighted* by how it turned out. I added a tasteful number of aurora rhinestone rivets to the flap to represent neuron signaling (also because my aesthetic sense has not evolved even a tiny bit since I was an Irish dance-obsessed middle schooler). Rainbow hardware (because of course) and pockets galore inside and out.
I'll have this bad girl for sale this Sunday at the Somerville Flea at the Armory or online at https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-of-neural-activity
Surface pattern design by Sumana Mahata (https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage) / bag design by me.
#sewing #handmade #handmadebags #shopsmall #shoplocal #neurons #neuroscience #science #art
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I just finished this up today and I'm *delighted* by how it turned out. I added a tasteful number of aurora rhinestone rivets to the flap to represent neuron signaling (also because my aesthetic sense has not evolved even a tiny bit since I was an Irish dance-obsessed middle schooler). Rainbow hardware (because of course) and pockets galore inside and out.
I'll have this bad girl for sale this Sunday at the Somerville Flea at the Armory or online at https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/products/messenger-bag-of-neural-activity
Surface pattern design by Sumana Mahata (https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage) / bag design by me.
#sewing #handmade #handmadebags #shopsmall #shoplocal #neurons #neuroscience #science #art
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Today’s progress: front pocket is done and attached, rear and side pocket piece is complete but not yet sewn to the body. I’m still adapting how I do the rear and side piece - I only recently started using a separate piece of canvas for the base of the side pockets, which is much more cost-effective for using the expensive hero fabric wisely. That’s opened up some options for handling and reinforcing seams in good ways, but it’s still a lot of very small seams in a very tight area where a lot of precision is required. BUT I’m so much happier with the end product and how tidy it looks, as well as giving me more options for how I use the rest of the fabric.
Tomorrow: hopefully get the flap done (those are usually pretty fast) and finish up the body, see how far I get on the interior.
Fabric design by hodgepodgebricolage / printed by Spoonflower: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage
Bag design by me
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Today’s progress: front pocket is done and attached, rear and side pocket piece is complete but not yet sewn to the body. I’m still adapting how I do the rear and side piece - I only recently started using a separate piece of canvas for the base of the side pockets, which is much more cost-effective for using the expensive hero fabric wisely. That’s opened up some options for handling and reinforcing seams in good ways, but it’s still a lot of very small seams in a very tight area where a lot of precision is required. BUT I’m so much happier with the end product and how tidy it looks, as well as giving me more options for how I use the rest of the fabric.
Tomorrow: hopefully get the flap done (those are usually pretty fast) and finish up the body, see how far I get on the interior.
Fabric design by hodgepodgebricolage / printed by Spoonflower: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage
Bag design by me
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Today’s progress: front pocket is done and attached, rear and side pocket piece is complete but not yet sewn to the body. I’m still adapting how I do the rear and side piece - I only recently started using a separate piece of canvas for the base of the side pockets, which is much more cost-effective for using the expensive hero fabric wisely. That’s opened up some options for handling and reinforcing seams in good ways, but it’s still a lot of very small seams in a very tight area where a lot of precision is required. BUT I’m so much happier with the end product and how tidy it looks, as well as giving me more options for how I use the rest of the fabric.
Tomorrow: hopefully get the flap done (those are usually pretty fast) and finish up the body, see how far I get on the interior.
Fabric design by hodgepodgebricolage / printed by Spoonflower: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage
Bag design by me
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Today’s progress: front pocket is done and attached, rear and side pocket piece is complete but not yet sewn to the body. I’m still adapting how I do the rear and side piece - I only recently started using a separate piece of canvas for the base of the side pockets, which is much more cost-effective for using the expensive hero fabric wisely. That’s opened up some options for handling and reinforcing seams in good ways, but it’s still a lot of very small seams in a very tight area where a lot of precision is required. BUT I’m so much happier with the end product and how tidy it looks, as well as giving me more options for how I use the rest of the fabric.
Tomorrow: hopefully get the flap done (those are usually pretty fast) and finish up the body, see how far I get on the interior.
Fabric design by hodgepodgebricolage / printed by Spoonflower: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage
Bag design by me
-
Today’s progress: front pocket is done and attached, rear and side pocket piece is complete but not yet sewn to the body. I’m still adapting how I do the rear and side piece - I only recently started using a separate piece of canvas for the base of the side pockets, which is much more cost-effective for using the expensive hero fabric wisely. That’s opened up some options for handling and reinforcing seams in good ways, but it’s still a lot of very small seams in a very tight area where a lot of precision is required. BUT I’m so much happier with the end product and how tidy it looks, as well as giving me more options for how I use the rest of the fabric.
Tomorrow: hopefully get the flap done (those are usually pretty fast) and finish up the body, see how far I get on the interior.
Fabric design by hodgepodgebricolage / printed by Spoonflower: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/hodgepodgebricolage
Bag design by me
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Home stretch here! Once the bag’s been flipped right way around, it’s just a matter of a lot of topstitching. I like to do three rounds at about 1/8” from each other because I never met a sewing project I couldn’t overkill. The first pass is the fiddliest as it’s the one that’s closing all the gaps I left. I have learned from hard experience that you want to make sure the turning gap is on the non-flap side of the bag as it’s a monster to try to keep things even with the flap in the way. I use triple stitch to go over the strap attachment points with a hump-jumper to help (my machine does tend to protest at this point). Then a quick press all around and it’s done!
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Home stretch here! Once the bag’s been flipped right way around, it’s just a matter of a lot of topstitching. I like to do three rounds at about 1/8” from each other because I never met a sewing project I couldn’t overkill. The first pass is the fiddliest as it’s the one that’s closing all the gaps I left. I have learned from hard experience that you want to make sure the turning gap is on the non-flap side of the bag as it’s a monster to try to keep things even with the flap in the way. I use triple stitch to go over the strap attachment points with a hump-jumper to help (my machine does tend to protest at this point). Then a quick press all around and it’s done!
-
Home stretch here! Once the bag’s been flipped right way around, it’s just a matter of a lot of topstitching. I like to do three rounds at about 1/8” from each other because I never met a sewing project I couldn’t overkill. The first pass is the fiddliest as it’s the one that’s closing all the gaps I left. I have learned from hard experience that you want to make sure the turning gap is on the non-flap side of the bag as it’s a monster to try to keep things even with the flap in the way. I use triple stitch to go over the strap attachment points with a hump-jumper to help (my machine does tend to protest at this point). Then a quick press all around and it’s done!
-
Home stretch here! Once the bag’s been flipped right way around, it’s just a matter of a lot of topstitching. I like to do three rounds at about 1/8” from each other because I never met a sewing project I couldn’t overkill. The first pass is the fiddliest as it’s the one that’s closing all the gaps I left. I have learned from hard experience that you want to make sure the turning gap is on the non-flap side of the bag as it’s a monster to try to keep things even with the flap in the way. I use triple stitch to go over the strap attachment points with a hump-jumper to help (my machine does tend to protest at this point). Then a quick press all around and it’s done!
-
Home stretch here! Once the bag’s been flipped right way around, it’s just a matter of a lot of topstitching. I like to do three rounds at about 1/8” from each other because I never met a sewing project I couldn’t overkill. The first pass is the fiddliest as it’s the one that’s closing all the gaps I left. I have learned from hard experience that you want to make sure the turning gap is on the non-flap side of the bag as it’s a monster to try to keep things even with the flap in the way. I use triple stitch to go over the strap attachment points with a hump-jumper to help (my machine does tend to protest at this point). Then a quick press all around and it’s done!
-
So with that, the exterior is done. The lining is more straightforward: make a bunch of pockets and sew them on in the right spots. I like to make flaps with KAM snaps to hold things closed (new-new band name: flaps straps and snaps). I mark the snap on the exterior flap, position the flap on the pocket, and then use an awl or knitting needle or other pointyboi to poke through both the flap and the pocket at the same time, so I can spend less time messing around with marking both pieces of material. Fun fact: a metal straw is a great tool to help encourage the plastic stem of the snap through several layers of heavy canvas - the small diameter means I can apply pressure close-but-not-on the stem (so I don’t squish it) and it’s easy to apply even pressure all the way around so the stem won’t torque.
-
So with that, the exterior is done. The lining is more straightforward: make a bunch of pockets and sew them on in the right spots. I like to make flaps with KAM snaps to hold things closed (new-new band name: flaps straps and snaps). I mark the snap on the exterior flap, position the flap on the pocket, and then use an awl or knitting needle or other pointyboi to poke through both the flap and the pocket at the same time, so I can spend less time messing around with marking both pieces of material. Fun fact: a metal straw is a great tool to help encourage the plastic stem of the snap through several layers of heavy canvas - the small diameter means I can apply pressure close-but-not-on the stem (so I don’t squish it) and it’s easy to apply even pressure all the way around so the stem won’t torque.
-
So with that, the exterior is done. The lining is more straightforward: make a bunch of pockets and sew them on in the right spots. I like to make flaps with KAM snaps to hold things closed (new-new band name: flaps straps and snaps). I mark the snap on the exterior flap, position the flap on the pocket, and then use an awl or knitting needle or other pointyboi to poke through both the flap and the pocket at the same time, so I can spend less time messing around with marking both pieces of material. Fun fact: a metal straw is a great tool to help encourage the plastic stem of the snap through several layers of heavy canvas - the small diameter means I can apply pressure close-but-not-on the stem (so I don’t squish it) and it’s easy to apply even pressure all the way around so the stem won’t torque.
-
So with that, the exterior is done. The lining is more straightforward: make a bunch of pockets and sew them on in the right spots. I like to make flaps with KAM snaps to hold things closed (new-new band name: flaps straps and snaps). I mark the snap on the exterior flap, position the flap on the pocket, and then use an awl or knitting needle or other pointyboi to poke through both the flap and the pocket at the same time, so I can spend less time messing around with marking both pieces of material. Fun fact: a metal straw is a great tool to help encourage the plastic stem of the snap through several layers of heavy canvas - the small diameter means I can apply pressure close-but-not-on the stem (so I don’t squish it) and it’s easy to apply even pressure all the way around so the stem won’t torque.
-
So with that, the exterior is done. The lining is more straightforward: make a bunch of pockets and sew them on in the right spots. I like to make flaps with KAM snaps to hold things closed (new-new band name: flaps straps and snaps). I mark the snap on the exterior flap, position the flap on the pocket, and then use an awl or knitting needle or other pointyboi to poke through both the flap and the pocket at the same time, so I can spend less time messing around with marking both pieces of material. Fun fact: a metal straw is a great tool to help encourage the plastic stem of the snap through several layers of heavy canvas - the small diameter means I can apply pressure close-but-not-on the stem (so I don’t squish it) and it’s easy to apply even pressure all the way around so the stem won’t torque.
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Straps and flaps are done now. Flap is a simple matter of sewing the already-assembled flap to the body in the right place with a quarter-inch seam allowance, which will be inside the half-inch allowance I use to sew the lining and exterior together. Straps are a little more complicated - I usually baste the strap component separately and then attach it to the body. In this case I put a piece of heavy canvas behind it to provide more stability - this is a different exterior fabric than I usually use and it’s quite a bit thinner, so I want to make sure that the places where it’s taking weight are well-enforced. I’ll trim the canvas closer to the stitching lines later. The lines on this canvas are meaningless - it’s a bit of waste fabric from the back and side pocket assemblage that I cut off while making that component, but it still has the marks from that piece on it.
I lined up the straps in such a way that, if I’ve done the math right, they should peek just about 3/4 inch above the edge once the lining has been sewn in. This will cause some slight complications when I’m sewing the exterior and the lining together but the fun clever kind of complications not the “oh shit” kind.
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Straps and flaps are done now. Flap is a simple matter of sewing the already-assembled flap to the body in the right place with a quarter-inch seam allowance, which will be inside the half-inch allowance I use to sew the lining and exterior together. Straps are a little more complicated - I usually baste the strap component separately and then attach it to the body. In this case I put a piece of heavy canvas behind it to provide more stability - this is a different exterior fabric than I usually use and it’s quite a bit thinner, so I want to make sure that the places where it’s taking weight are well-enforced. I’ll trim the canvas closer to the stitching lines later. The lines on this canvas are meaningless - it’s a bit of waste fabric from the back and side pocket assemblage that I cut off while making that component, but it still has the marks from that piece on it.
I lined up the straps in such a way that, if I’ve done the math right, they should peek just about 3/4 inch above the edge once the lining has been sewn in. This will cause some slight complications when I’m sewing the exterior and the lining together but the fun clever kind of complications not the “oh shit” kind.
-
Straps and flaps are done now. Flap is a simple matter of sewing the already-assembled flap to the body in the right place with a quarter-inch seam allowance, which will be inside the half-inch allowance I use to sew the lining and exterior together. Straps are a little more complicated - I usually baste the strap component separately and then attach it to the body. In this case I put a piece of heavy canvas behind it to provide more stability - this is a different exterior fabric than I usually use and it’s quite a bit thinner, so I want to make sure that the places where it’s taking weight are well-enforced. I’ll trim the canvas closer to the stitching lines later. The lines on this canvas are meaningless - it’s a bit of waste fabric from the back and side pocket assemblage that I cut off while making that component, but it still has the marks from that piece on it.
I lined up the straps in such a way that, if I’ve done the math right, they should peek just about 3/4 inch above the edge once the lining has been sewn in. This will cause some slight complications when I’m sewing the exterior and the lining together but the fun clever kind of complications not the “oh shit” kind.
-
Straps and flaps are done now. Flap is a simple matter of sewing the already-assembled flap to the body in the right place with a quarter-inch seam allowance, which will be inside the half-inch allowance I use to sew the lining and exterior together. Straps are a little more complicated - I usually baste the strap component separately and then attach it to the body. In this case I put a piece of heavy canvas behind it to provide more stability - this is a different exterior fabric than I usually use and it’s quite a bit thinner, so I want to make sure that the places where it’s taking weight are well-enforced. I’ll trim the canvas closer to the stitching lines later. The lines on this canvas are meaningless - it’s a bit of waste fabric from the back and side pocket assemblage that I cut off while making that component, but it still has the marks from that piece on it.
I lined up the straps in such a way that, if I’ve done the math right, they should peek just about 3/4 inch above the edge once the lining has been sewn in. This will cause some slight complications when I’m sewing the exterior and the lining together but the fun clever kind of complications not the “oh shit” kind.
-
Straps and flaps are done now. Flap is a simple matter of sewing the already-assembled flap to the body in the right place with a quarter-inch seam allowance, which will be inside the half-inch allowance I use to sew the lining and exterior together. Straps are a little more complicated - I usually baste the strap component separately and then attach it to the body. In this case I put a piece of heavy canvas behind it to provide more stability - this is a different exterior fabric than I usually use and it’s quite a bit thinner, so I want to make sure that the places where it’s taking weight are well-enforced. I’ll trim the canvas closer to the stitching lines later. The lines on this canvas are meaningless - it’s a bit of waste fabric from the back and side pocket assemblage that I cut off while making that component, but it still has the marks from that piece on it.
I lined up the straps in such a way that, if I’ve done the math right, they should peek just about 3/4 inch above the edge once the lining has been sewn in. This will cause some slight complications when I’m sewing the exterior and the lining together but the fun clever kind of complications not the “oh shit” kind.
-
Ok! Apparently I didn’t get a picture of the side seams but that’s fine. I shoved the pocket bits out of the way and sewed up both side edges, then did some fiddly fake-felling where I have to kind of sew inside the pocket itself and get as close to the corner as I can given the limits of working with a domestic machine’s geometry. Then I box the corners (having marked them previously). I was cunning this time and shaped the raw edge of the pocket base to have 45 degree angles at each corner, which means that when I pulled the corner flat, the edges of the pockets just kind of snapped into place without a lot of unnecessary drama. This is a huge process improvement for relatively little effort.
Once the box corners has been stitched, it both catches the base of the pocket and forms the bottom corner of the bag. Again having been clever about using my angles when sewing up the pocket assemblage, everything kind of tucks in nicely and we get a nice tight tidy corner despite having some hella complicated fabric geometry going on.
Repeat on the other side and the exterior is damn near done - just needs the flap and straps sewn on. This fabric is pretty floppy but I’m using heavy canvas as the lining, so that should help stiffen up the structure.
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Ok! Apparently I didn’t get a picture of the side seams but that’s fine. I shoved the pocket bits out of the way and sewed up both side edges, then did some fiddly fake-felling where I have to kind of sew inside the pocket itself and get as close to the corner as I can given the limits of working with a domestic machine’s geometry. Then I box the corners (having marked them previously). I was cunning this time and shaped the raw edge of the pocket base to have 45 degree angles at each corner, which means that when I pulled the corner flat, the edges of the pockets just kind of snapped into place without a lot of unnecessary drama. This is a huge process improvement for relatively little effort.
Once the box corners has been stitched, it both catches the base of the pocket and forms the bottom corner of the bag. Again having been clever about using my angles when sewing up the pocket assemblage, everything kind of tucks in nicely and we get a nice tight tidy corner despite having some hella complicated fabric geometry going on.
Repeat on the other side and the exterior is damn near done - just needs the flap and straps sewn on. This fabric is pretty floppy but I’m using heavy canvas as the lining, so that should help stiffen up the structure.
-
Ok! Apparently I didn’t get a picture of the side seams but that’s fine. I shoved the pocket bits out of the way and sewed up both side edges, then did some fiddly fake-felling where I have to kind of sew inside the pocket itself and get as close to the corner as I can given the limits of working with a domestic machine’s geometry. Then I box the corners (having marked them previously). I was cunning this time and shaped the raw edge of the pocket base to have 45 degree angles at each corner, which means that when I pulled the corner flat, the edges of the pockets just kind of snapped into place without a lot of unnecessary drama. This is a huge process improvement for relatively little effort.
Once the box corners has been stitched, it both catches the base of the pocket and forms the bottom corner of the bag. Again having been clever about using my angles when sewing up the pocket assemblage, everything kind of tucks in nicely and we get a nice tight tidy corner despite having some hella complicated fabric geometry going on.
Repeat on the other side and the exterior is damn near done - just needs the flap and straps sewn on. This fabric is pretty floppy but I’m using heavy canvas as the lining, so that should help stiffen up the structure.
-
Ok! Apparently I didn’t get a picture of the side seams but that’s fine. I shoved the pocket bits out of the way and sewed up both side edges, then did some fiddly fake-felling where I have to kind of sew inside the pocket itself and get as close to the corner as I can given the limits of working with a domestic machine’s geometry. Then I box the corners (having marked them previously). I was cunning this time and shaped the raw edge of the pocket base to have 45 degree angles at each corner, which means that when I pulled the corner flat, the edges of the pockets just kind of snapped into place without a lot of unnecessary drama. This is a huge process improvement for relatively little effort.
Once the box corners has been stitched, it both catches the base of the pocket and forms the bottom corner of the bag. Again having been clever about using my angles when sewing up the pocket assemblage, everything kind of tucks in nicely and we get a nice tight tidy corner despite having some hella complicated fabric geometry going on.
Repeat on the other side and the exterior is damn near done - just needs the flap and straps sewn on. This fabric is pretty floppy but I’m using heavy canvas as the lining, so that should help stiffen up the structure.
-
Ok! Apparently I didn’t get a picture of the side seams but that’s fine. I shoved the pocket bits out of the way and sewed up both side edges, then did some fiddly fake-felling where I have to kind of sew inside the pocket itself and get as close to the corner as I can given the limits of working with a domestic machine’s geometry. Then I box the corners (having marked them previously). I was cunning this time and shaped the raw edge of the pocket base to have 45 degree angles at each corner, which means that when I pulled the corner flat, the edges of the pockets just kind of snapped into place without a lot of unnecessary drama. This is a huge process improvement for relatively little effort.
Once the box corners has been stitched, it both catches the base of the pocket and forms the bottom corner of the bag. Again having been clever about using my angles when sewing up the pocket assemblage, everything kind of tucks in nicely and we get a nice tight tidy corner despite having some hella complicated fabric geometry going on.
Repeat on the other side and the exterior is damn near done - just needs the flap and straps sewn on. This fabric is pretty floppy but I’m using heavy canvas as the lining, so that should help stiffen up the structure.
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Ok I’m back on my bullshit re my sister’s bag. Sewing room is tidied and then gently re-mussed via some mending and so I can use it again.
The front and back of the body have been sewn together and fake-felled (seam allowances are sewn to one side, but not fully encased - the bag is lined and I singed the edges, so I’m not worried), magnetic snaps and bottom straps sewn to the front panel, and the back & side pocket assemblage have been sewn to the back with a fully encased seam. Now comes the tricky part of getting the side pockets done. I marked the line that the edge of the pocket needs to land on and carefully pinned, then stitched it down. The bottom corner is still free, but I’ll do that in the next couple steps.
-
Ok I’m back on my bullshit re my sister’s bag. Sewing room is tidied and then gently re-mussed via some mending and so I can use it again.
The front and back of the body have been sewn together and fake-felled (seam allowances are sewn to one side, but not fully encased - the bag is lined and I singed the edges, so I’m not worried), magnetic snaps and bottom straps sewn to the front panel, and the back & side pocket assemblage have been sewn to the back with a fully encased seam. Now comes the tricky part of getting the side pockets done. I marked the line that the edge of the pocket needs to land on and carefully pinned, then stitched it down. The bottom corner is still free, but I’ll do that in the next couple steps.
-
Ok I’m back on my bullshit re my sister’s bag. Sewing room is tidied and then gently re-mussed via some mending and so I can use it again.
The front and back of the body have been sewn together and fake-felled (seam allowances are sewn to one side, but not fully encased - the bag is lined and I singed the edges, so I’m not worried), magnetic snaps and bottom straps sewn to the front panel, and the back & side pocket assemblage have been sewn to the back with a fully encased seam. Now comes the tricky part of getting the side pockets done. I marked the line that the edge of the pocket needs to land on and carefully pinned, then stitched it down. The bottom corner is still free, but I’ll do that in the next couple steps.
-
Ok I’m back on my bullshit re my sister’s bag. Sewing room is tidied and then gently re-mussed via some mending and so I can use it again.
The front and back of the body have been sewn together and fake-felled (seam allowances are sewn to one side, but not fully encased - the bag is lined and I singed the edges, so I’m not worried), magnetic snaps and bottom straps sewn to the front panel, and the back & side pocket assemblage have been sewn to the back with a fully encased seam. Now comes the tricky part of getting the side pockets done. I marked the line that the edge of the pocket needs to land on and carefully pinned, then stitched it down. The bottom corner is still free, but I’ll do that in the next couple steps.
-
Ok I’m back on my bullshit re my sister’s bag. Sewing room is tidied and then gently re-mussed via some mending and so I can use it again.
The front and back of the body have been sewn together and fake-felled (seam allowances are sewn to one side, but not fully encased - the bag is lined and I singed the edges, so I’m not worried), magnetic snaps and bottom straps sewn to the front panel, and the back & side pocket assemblage have been sewn to the back with a fully encased seam. Now comes the tricky part of getting the side pockets done. I marked the line that the edge of the pocket needs to land on and carefully pinned, then stitched it down. The bottom corner is still free, but I’ll do that in the next couple steps.
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I need to make some space in my inventory for some holiday sewing, so I’m running a fall clearance sale! Everything in this collection is 15% off: https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/collections/fall-clearance
I’ll also be having my last outdoor sale of the year at the Somerville Flea this Sunday, 10/27 10-4p, just next to Davis - more stuff will be on sale there, including Halloween treat bags and lunch kits that aren’t currently listed online.
Take a look and see if anything strikes your fancy!
#somervillema #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #shopsmall #sewing
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I need to make some space in my inventory for some holiday sewing, so I’m running a fall clearance sale! Everything in this collection is 15% off: https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/collections/fall-clearance
I’ll also be having my last outdoor sale of the year at the Somerville Flea this Sunday, 10/27 10-4p, just next to Davis - more stuff will be on sale there, including Halloween treat bags and lunch kits that aren’t currently listed online.
Take a look and see if anything strikes your fancy!
#somervillema #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #shopsmall #sewing
-
I need to make some space in my inventory for some holiday sewing, so I’m running a fall clearance sale! Everything in this collection is 15% off: https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/collections/fall-clearance
I’ll also be having my last outdoor sale of the year at the Somerville Flea this Sunday, 10/27 10-4p, just next to Davis - more stuff will be on sale there, including Halloween treat bags and lunch kits that aren’t currently listed online.
Take a look and see if anything strikes your fancy!
#somervillema #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #shopsmall #sewing
-
I need to make some space in my inventory for some holiday sewing, so I’m running a fall clearance sale! Everything in this collection is 15% off: https://rhymes-with-doctor.myshopify.com/collections/fall-clearance
I’ll also be having my last outdoor sale of the year at the Somerville Flea this Sunday, 10/27 10-4p, just next to Davis - more stuff will be on sale there, including Halloween treat bags and lunch kits that aren’t currently listed online.
Take a look and see if anything strikes your fancy!
#somervillema #handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #shopsmall #sewing