Monday 9 June 2014

Mistake to Design Feature...

Small Zippered Pouch ~ Threading My Way

I've been experimenting with different ways to make zippered pouches. I'm rather pleased with how this one has turned out. 

Small Zippered Pouch ~ Threading My Way

I made it up as I went along and didn't bother to change the thread colour. Contrasting topstitching looks good IF the stitching is straight. Next to the zipper one row of stitching was definitely wonky, very obvious with black thread on red fabric.

Small Zippered Pouch ~ Threading My Way

I suppose I could have just unpicked and restitched that one row, but I didn't. Not knowing if the whole thing would work out, I wanted to move forwards, not backwards. Remembering the scribbly stitching I had done on my seagull cushion and my holiday memories cushion, I improvised and sewed random lines at different angles below the zipper. I quite liked the effect.

Small Purse ~ Threading My Way

As I always do when I finish a project, I showed Mr TMW and he smiled. Later on, he came into my sewing room a couple of times, picked up the pouch and put it down. Finally, he asked whether I meant to do those random lines or were they a mistake.

After explaining why I did the stitching, Mr TMW said that perhaps the stitching needs to be thicker and more obvious for it to work. Maybe I could add piping. At that point he shook his head, laughed and walked out. He thinks he's been reading my blog for too long. Having an opinion on how something's constructed AND picking up sewing terminology. It's all too much for him!!! LOL!!!

He has a very valid point, though. There's a fine line between deliberately making something random or wonky and it looking as if it just wasn't meant to be. Where that line is drawn is purely subjective. On this point, we are obviously standing on different sides of the line.


Whilst I like the random stitching on the outside, it doesn't really work for me on the inside. It's not enough to stop me using this little purse, though. I'm going to put it to good use in my handbag, to house the little bits and pieces that get lost at the bottom of my bag.

Small Purse ~ Threading My Way

Both fabrics are left over from my drawstring shoulder bagMichael Miller Zen Blossoms and Michael Miller Pin Dot, kindly given to me by modeS4u

When I'm experimenting, you would think I'd choose fabric from my stash that I don't like, in case the project doesn't work, but I'm not motivated unless I'm using fabric that appeals to me.

Small Purse ~ Threading My Way

I do so enjoy experimenting, trying different techniques and seeing what I come up with. Sometimes ideas work, sometimes not, but I ALWAYS get more satisfaction creating something myself as opposed to following a pattern. 

Once I've refined a couple of points, I'll show you how I made my little zipper pouch. Not sure whether I'll do random stitching on the next one. If I do, it has to be just on the exterior and not the lining. I'll see which way the project takes me. Ha, ha... If you stand on Mr TMW's side of the line, you won't offend me at all by saying so.

... Pam

24 comments:

  1. Great idea to go with a new design there! I just added some buttons to a bag to cover up a bit of uneven stitching. Turns out that they also kicked the design up a notch!

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  2. I like the random stitching. I do hear you on the fine line, I tried a similar idea a while back and it just felt too much like a mistake. I think yours turned out well!

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  3. I like the random stitching too, I think it really adds to the pouch Pam! Sounds like all that training is paying off with Mr TMW, I wish mine paid as much attention :)

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  4. I'm usually too chicken to use contrasting thread when I do decorative stitching - I like things to blend in. Sometimes I use variegated thread to do rows of decorative stitching and that's fine because the machine does the stitches so they're not wonky :D I'm a pro at wonky - especially when I'm not actually TRYING for it :D

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  5. Your stitching does look intentional! But I also like the idea of making the stitching thicker too! So do I stand on both sides or in the middle? :D

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  6. That's a great save, Pam! I'm heartened that I'm not the only one who has occasional problems top-stitching in a straight line; I hate unpicking it!

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  7. 'Very pretty! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  8. I think it looks great and perhaps the internal stitching will hold the lining down a little better (looking for positives here!).

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  9. I think it was a great "save". I hate unpicking if it's not absolutely necessary and this looks completely intentional.
    I love when my husband picks up craft words and phrases - a while back he noticed, while brushing his teeth and looking in the mirror, that his check onesie (don't ask!) didn't pattern match at the pocket!

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  10. Your tutorials are always inspiring and great ideas for alternation.

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  11. Aww lovely idea, great material :)

    Thanks for sharing over at Creative Mondays...

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    1. pinned and featuring this week at the blog hop :) thanks for sharing...

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  12. Awwww i just got a sewing machine and this will be my next project =) #creativemondays

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  13. Beautiful Pam! I think the 'wonky' stitching looks like a great design feature!

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  14. It is cute. I don't like to do unpicking so I have the same attitude like you :-) Just use it to my advantage.

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  15. I've had several projects recently where I tried to make it look like my mistake was on purpose but it only made it look worse. It's hard knowing sometimes whether to push on or step back and fix something. Stitching like that on a small pouch...I say go for it.;)

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  16. Very cute pouch!! The contrasting thread looks great!!

    -Soma

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  17. I need a pouch like this ... too cute!!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Once ios vs android ui created a new design, they can also guide the project's development team and stakeholders on return on investment (ROI) and lower-level concerns like the placement of interface elements. This can make it easier for developers to make changes during the project's development and to keep the final product on budget.

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