Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 20

 Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 20

 This was slightly trickier than I thought it would be but I got there in the end.

 Strap to be Backed

 

Above is a photograph of the Strap that I am going to back. This is the one that I have finished Knitting and Shaped at the end.

 Pin Template

 

I decided to use the Template on the Strap, as I knew it was the most accurate. I matched the Curved section then Pinned along the Bottom.

 Pin One Side

 

I began to Pin both Sides. When Strap was Stretched out there seemed to be an Excess of Material.  I decided to Pin one Side at a time. That way I could make sure, that I could check how much the Excess was.

 Tack Along

 

Once the Backing was fully Pinned I could begin to Sew into place. I merely used a Tacking Stitch as I was going to Sew it with a stronger Thread later.

Tack Both Sides

 

I Tacked all the way around Both Sides and along the Top. I am leaving the Bottom Untacked for now. This is because I want to check a few things first.

As you can see in the above photograph, the Template is not entirely Flat. This is due to the Excess Material. I am going to have to consider this factor when I move on to the next part.

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 19

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 19

I finally feel like I am getting somewhere.

Measure Bag

 

I Measured the Bag against the Material. I found that if instead of Folding directly in half I manoeuvred it I would have Excess left over.

 Measure Template

 

I placed the Template against the Excess. I measured and cut the Material. 

Making Hems

 

I had to make a Hem. This was far more difficult than usual. The reason for this is because the Excess had a thick Hem already. I really struggled to make the Curved part. I foresee more problems when I use it for Backing. 

Hem Part Way

 

This Backing was only Hemmed Part Way as I am not sure on the length needed. I will only know that once the Backing is Sewn in place.

As well as finishing this part I am extremely happy because I have found my missing pins. That is going to make life easier for the next part.

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 18

 Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 18

This blog is a bit of a bust. Most of my photographs seemed to have either disappeared or great quality. So apologies but I have done my best with what is left.

Securing

 

The problem with changing colours so often is that it can leave loose Stitches. This will become a major problem once I have started using it and the Weight will naturally drag it Downwards.

I have begun the process of going over these areas. In the above photograph you can see where I have gone along the edge of the Orange to Secure it.

Blurry Blue

 

This was a very difficult photograph to take. I wanted to show how the Holes are so much bigger where I picked up Stitches. I have held the Knitting up in front of my computer screen. Therefore the Blue of the screen can easily be seen through the Larger Holes.

Brown Blur

 

Another difficult photograph to take. Once again I am holding it up against the screen. Now I have gone through with the Brown Wool the difference is much Smaller.

Red Top

 

There are many Straight Edges that you do not find in Nature that I need to tackle. Here I am Changing the Shape and also I fixing Holes at the same time.

Leaves and Orange

 

I have added 3 Leaves to the Second Strap. However there was a bit of a gap so I have embroidered some Orange in it. Much more to do so need to carry on.

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 17

 Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 17

Finally something a bit different. 

Tails Tangle

 

Before I can start on the next section I need to Sew in all the Tails from the Strap before they get into a Tangle

Start Embroidery

 

If you remember when picking up the Stitches I created Holes along the line. I need to rectify this. I am going to do this by Embroidering. In addition to covering the Holes I need to add to the Leaves. In Nature you do not get Square Leaves.

Add Oak Leaf

 

I have done some Embroidery with Orange and Yellow Wool. However it is not suitable for very large Patches. Therefore I have Knitted and Sewn in place a small Oak Leaf

This is something I had done before on the Autumn Cape. Although I have the Pattern I no longer have where I got it from. If you are desperate for it I should have it mentioned in my Autumn Cape blogs.

 Cluster of Leaves

 

I have now added several small Oak Leaves in a Cluster. I cannot go too far up the Strap as it has yet to have the Backing Sewn on it.

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 16

 Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 16

Why are there so many blogs on this project you might ask? The answer is very simple. It is because I keep making mistakes! This blog is no different.

Draw Around Template

 

Now I have my Template I can draw around it to make the others albeit they will be slightly longer.

Hem Clanger

 

Oh for heaven’s sake I have dropped another Clanger. This is kids play stuff! When I drew my around my Template I did it right from the edge rather than allowing for a Hem.

Before I start my Second Template I Folded the Material over and give enough room to make a Hem. I wrote it on to make sure that I didn’t forget.

Match Hems

 

I Matched the Hems on the Second piece of Material and Pinned the Hem. I then Sewed across.

There wasn’t much I could do with the First piece as I had already Trimmed it. Therefore I did the Smallest Hem I could get away with.

3 Different Hems

 

One Templet 3 Different Hems. Not a good start. I will need a fourth one but I will have to find some more Material for that. Also as I have not finished Knitting the Strap I do not know yet how long it will need to be.

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 15

 Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 15

I have had fun (not) trying to sort out the photographs for this blog as taken quite a few in one go.

Pin Strap

 

I Pinned Strap to Material again.

Trim Strap

 

I now Trimmed the Material around the Strap. I make sure that I have left enough room for a Hem.

Pin Template

 

Before I go any further I am going to use what I have cut out as a Template. I placed and Pinned the Material on top of the Offcut and then Cut out. I have put aside for later.

Pin Middle

 

I take the Template and I Pin from the Curve to roughly the Middle of the Material.

Blue Hem

 

I now Hem what I have Pinned. I am using Blue Thread for this. Normally I would match the Thread to the Material. However the is not going to be seen so going to use something easily spotted and use up some spare Thread I have left over.

Pin Beginning

 

Now I have the Middle Sewn I am now Pinning the Beginning of the Strap and Folding over. I need to match the Ends to make this work.

Mark End

 

At the Folded End I take a Pencil and Mark it. Again I have to remember it will need Hemming.

All Hemmed

This Template is now fully Hemmed. I will now be able to use it for more accurate copies.

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 14

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 14

Time to try something new.

New Toy

 

Knowing that I Hand Sew everything my friend kindly gave me a Magic Stitch machine

Read Instructions

 

For once I am going to Read the Instructions. Also I thought if I lose the Instructions in hardcopy at least I will have some on the Laptop.

 Fold Hem

 

Before I start trying to use the Machine I am going to make a Hem by Folding over the Material

 Not going Well

 

This is Not going Well! I appear to be going in every direction but Straight. I am going to have to Undo

More Holes than Hem

 

I have Undone the Stitching. I now have More Holes than Hem. If you look at the Photograph above you can see my Kamikazi Stitching path.

Workman’s Tools

 

I know the old saying a ‘Bad Workman Blames His Tools’ but I think in this case I can be forgiven. I was just about beginning to get it straight well straighter when the Thread ran out.

Now I am going to have to go back to the Instructions and try to see how to Rethread the Machine.

Redo in Red

 

Naturally I am doing this late at night and I am not going to go hunting for Bobbins. There are some Pre-Thread colours in the Box. I am going to Redo in Red.

Conclusion. I am really far from trying to use this on a Project. I will have to practice. In the meantime back to the Hand Sewing.

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 13

Autumn Cape Bag 2022 Part 13 

A short and snappy blog this week whilst waiting for the material to dry.

Got to Unpick

 

Before I can do any Sewing of Material I need to finish the Strap. This means changing the Shape. Since I do not want it really long I need to Unpick the Wool. Though looking at the Pile that I ended up with I would say this is more in the region of Unravelling.

Increase Stitches

 

Having taken several inches of Wool off I then had to put the Stitches back on to the Needle. At least this time I knew how many to put on. I slowly Increased the amount of Stitches thus Mimicking the Pattern at the Bottom of the Strap.

Final Cast off

 

Finally got to the End. Well of this particular Strap anyway.