Mistake to Design Feature...

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

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.

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.

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.

Both fabrics are left over from my drawstring shoulder bag: Michael 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.

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