From Denim Jeans to Panel Bag

Every well dressed young Miss needs a fab bag to go with her fab outfit .... and this thoroughly modern Miss prefers to upcycle in the most sustainable way she can ....
Denim would have to be one of my favourite fabrics to sew with.... and sewing with recycled denim is even better - it's soft and strong and full of character.

My friend Nicole and I made this bag using her unwanted jeans. I was keen to try Nicki's new Panel Bag pattern and I was also keen to add a feature of the shrinking sheet effect that I have used previously.
I altered the pattern by adding 5cm extra length to the bottom panel pieces of this bag - I wanted to show off as much as the feature fabric as I could. The shrink sheet is placed underneath the feature fabric and stitched - I used a serpentine stitch with about 3cm gap between each row of stitching. You then steam iron with the iron hovering above the fabric - not touching - the steam makes the fabric shrink and shrivel right before your eyes.


Of course denim loves to be topstitched - I used this Guterman thread - it's an upholstery thread with a denim 100 needle - worked a treat ...


I reused the jean pocket for an internal pocket ...
Added the obligatory brassy rings ... and I also stitched on the jean tag - though it did rip a little as I tried to unpick it - but stitched it on regardless ... the red piping really highlights this bag ...

and a brass magnetic closure ....
And ..... where is she off to this weekend?

Vest with Shrinking Sheet

Some time ago I posted about a bag I made (The City Bag) with a shrinking fabric called "Texture Magic". This stuff is really intriguing and quite a good way to incorporate texture into your sewing. This time around I made a vest using Shrink Sheet - a similar product to Texture Magic - basically, it shrinks 30% in all directions when activated by steam. Firstly you have to stitch the Shrink Sheet to your fabric, shrink it and then sew with it.

I used Monica Poole's Spring Vest Pattern, and made the Puffa Vest (Style C). The pattern was specifically designed to be used with Shrink Sheet - so she had already worked out the extra fabric required.
So, here is my fabric - a cream dotted voile - I stitched a Serpentine pattern down every 2nd row - the Shrink Sheet is underneath ...
Then, here is the iron hovering above the shrink sheet - the steam starts the magic right before your eyes . ...
Here is a section that has just been steamed ...
And here is the right side of the fabric - puffa puffa!

Here is one complete section ....
And here is the finished vest - I lined it with some Spotty Voile (Spotlight) ... The actual shrink sheet has a soft handle - like polyester lining before it is shrunk - after shrinking the handle becomes firmer and quite plastic y ....
I cut a size 16 - but could have done a 14 - the armholes are quite generous - I guess allowing for winter clothes underneath ...
Don't know if I'll wear it - but it would be good on cold windy days. The pattern was great to work with - good clear explanations. I really just made it out of curiosity - I love the texture - but it's a shame the product becomes so firm - might be best to keep it for bags.
Edited to add: Monica tells me that the Golfing Ladies love the puffa vest as it keeps the wind out on cold mornings .... definitely!!

The Drum

Nicole is one of my students .... here is her DRUM BEAN BAG.......
She bought the pattern at the recent Newcastle Craft Expo .....
The brown fabric is a strip of chenille, the remaining fabrics are all patchwork strips.
The top part features a free machined piece with Texture Magic (or Shrinking Sheet) underneath a layer of batting and the top layer is homespun. Isn't she clever!! Of course filling it with the beans was best part!!!
Happy 17th Wedding Anniversary Pete and Nicole!!!