Terri at www.saorisaltspring.com got me here to Doni's Delis and that design for a bag led to this one made from a length of cotton material. There's no cutting - only folding - and three seams!
It hangs very comfortably on the wrist and the size could be easily varied from the length and width of the piece of material and the proportion of body to handle.
Looking at it I could see how a pattern would make it more interesting; how it would be enhanced by the texture of weaving or knitting or crocheting.
All of these would take time to produce. What did I have on hand .......
Aha! Ties!! Handwoven in Scotland ties!!!
Two were selected and sewn together narrow end to wide end and then folded into the design and the three seams made. I did it by hand.
To my surprise and delight the ends of the ties formed four pockets on the inside of the bag which can hold knitting needles or crochet hooks if the bag is used for yarn projects .....
..... or brushes if the intent is to paint.
Actually, so far, I have used the bag mostly as my purse - it holds everything snugly but easily accessible.
You can see how the ties come together and complement each other both in hues and widths.
The tip ends are pleasing as well.
I wondered what would happen if I used a single tie and stitched it on the machine.
A small bag happened which perfectly fits a water bottle; zig zag worked just fine for the stitches.
Just before press time I finished this bag - one side ......
....... other side.
The ties are more satiny than the woven woolen ones and the bag has more a boxy feel to it; more business-like, somehow. That is likely also fostered by the polka dots and airplanes. I'll test-drive it tomorrow with serious mail to the post office, perhaps.
I love the fact that the process is so simple...folding only (no cutting). fabric origami! There's something so beautiful about simplifying the creative process to it's bareness. How great would it be if someone would recognize one of the ties as their granfather's tie :)
ktok
Posted by: ktok | August 10, 2009 at 06:04 AM
I love that last bag with the silky ties. Such a great idea.
Posted by: Crafty Gardener | August 10, 2009 at 06:18 AM
Morning ktok
Yes, it is exactly that which attracted me - the simplicity and the origami aspect - the "bareness". Essence. Oh, and the serendipity of someone recognizing one of the ties! Or using family ties to create their own. Merci!
Posted by: karen | August 10, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Hello Crafty
I feel a bit 'addicted' by this at the moment - suspect I am staring at a tie as it passes by me on a gent and narrowing my eyes..... What fun. Am thinking they would 'weather' well in a garden and could be planted in.... hmmmm......?
Posted by: karen | August 10, 2009 at 07:17 AM
Karen,
I LOVE the bags with the ties! Such a wonderful idea!
My dad has some old ties from the '70s that I could steal.... thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Doni | August 10, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Hi Doni
Thanks. I am sure your dad will be pleased.
Posted by: karen | August 10, 2009 at 07:59 PM