Sewing Vloggers

Monday, January 18, 2016

McCalls 6532, Completed!


Finally! Ok, the worst part of this project was hand stitching the lining to the zipper at the very end. It was a mere three hour project involving waxed and doubled thread, a thick heavy needle, a thimble  and most importantly, a pair of pliers. If I had a buck for every needle stab and pin prick I wouldn't have needed to buy that Powerball ticket last week! Finally its done!

I really like this bag. It is a bit larger than I thought it might be. I would make it again but cut down the size a bit. Here's the 411:


Pattern:  
This is McCall's 6532, a Kay Whitt design. I will be honest and tell you I really don't know who Kay Whitt is. I will have to do some googling on that one. But it is her design and a nice one. It is much larger than I thought. Sure, I can measure and I did but its sort of like buying food in restaurant. You see things and just buy too much. I saw that the bag was large and just  kept going. What I am going to do to make this bag work a little better is make an organizer for the inside. More to come on that front. This, with a bit more interior organization would be a great diaper bag or carry on bag.

I did not follow the pattern. I was convinced I had an easier way to deal with the future bulk of it all and I did until I got to inserting the lining.


Fabric:
The fabric comes from Joann' clearance home dec area. It is a heavily embroidered design in rayon thread on black denim. I easily found the same denim to match at fabrics.com. I needed that for the straps and bottom. The tapestry was purchased for five dollars a yard and only wish I had purchased more but the next delivery is always around the corner at Joanns. I have seen some really great fabs in their home dec clearance. 

The lining is a quilting cotton, a not really nice one. By that I mean the fabric was heavier than I would like for a quilt but perfect for this use. It has little sparklies all over. and is nice and bright to dig around. I passed on the interior pockets because of the future "organizer". 

The interfacing is what really made the bag. It made it great and it made it frustrating. The exterior bag was fused to fusible fleece as the pattern recommended. This would have been fine with quilting cotton exterior but I had upholstery fabric going on here. The pattern has you interface the lining. This is where I went overboard but it what got me the luggage look, which I think is rather professional looking. I first fused Decor Bond to the lining, never in the seam allowances. Then I fused on top of that a layer of Peltex. The Peltex, heavy board that it can be, got cut back a half inch away from the seam allowances. I also pieced the Peltex so that there was no interfacing in the areas of the bag that needed to fold. It would have been a nightmare without doing that and there is more on that two posts back.  


Construction:
We have established that I didn't follow the directions. I STILL read them through at least three times as this bag is rather involved. I needed to be careful about the sequence and put some thought into what would come next. My goal was to have a sturdy bag that would require as little turning right side out as possible. I accomplished that by making the bag and lining separately and dropping in the lining at the end and hand stitching it around the zipper to close. That last hand stitching was brutal so I don't recommend it. I would only use my sequence if you are dealing with really heavy fabric like this home dec piece and all that interfacing. That Peltex is a bitch.  Making this in a lighter fabric or quilting cotton, I would just follow the pattern. 

The bottom and straps are the matching black denim. You can see I put bag feet on the bottom.The bottom of the bag has a piece of Peltex that is covered with muslin and attached at the bottom side seams. It "floats" and gives hardness to the bottom. There is also another layer of Peltex in the bottom from the lining bottom. I don't like how the straps are secured at the zipper height. If I made this again I would do that as suggested but would also secure the straps to the bag a few inches higher as well, maybe with a buckle or such. 

I topstitched as much as I could but that wasn't much. It was just too hard to maneuver this hard bag under the needle. I did use my workhorse now 40 year old Kenmore for all of the construction. I also used a size 16 jeans needle throughout. I had no tension or stitching issues.  The zippers are home dec type zips. I use them a lot. They are rugged, quite neutral in color, inexpensive and I like the heavy brass look. 

In conclusion:
Would I make it again? Yes I would and I may. However the next time I make it I will take it down a couple of inches in length and width. That will keep the luggage look away. I actually have fabric ready for another one but we'll see what becomes priority in the cave as I reassess my wants and needs. I recommend but not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced bagmaker.
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First egg of the season after a long molt period. The first was yesterday and two more today! The girls are back in business!.................Bunny



30 comments:

  1. love your bag. I may give it a try. Great job!!

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  2. Bunny, the bag is lovely. Good thing you still have your workhorse. They don't make them like they used to. I have a old singer (maybe 25 years old) that I was going to get rid of. The repairman said, "Don't. This machine has metal parts, unlike the machine of today."

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    Replies
    1. I agree and they weigh a ton and can sew like a tank charging! Wish I had my old Rocketeer.

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  3. It's beautiful! I especially love how you cut this fabric. The way your zipper intersects the curves of the petals is so lovely and understated and, well, perfect!

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    1. Aw, thanks. I knew I wanted the big flower and needed the zip so pretty much just did it. Glad you like it.

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  4. I think you'll find Kay at http://blog.sewserendipity.com/
    Love the bag, and the fresh egg. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I checked out her site, very pretty dresses which she models beautifully.

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  5. Love the bag! You do such excellent work!

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  6. What a great bag, Bunny! I'd like to see it held up against you or some other familiar object so as to get a better feel for the size.
    I love the fabric & the way you used the industrial looking zipper...very unique.
    Next bag, you might want to try the new fusible product from Bosal called "in-R-Form Plus". Lots of gals around here are using it in their bags & loving it. It won't get a perm. crease in it, like the peltex. Lightweight but firm, too. Just a thought. I look forward to seeing your next project, as always.
    Warm Hugs,
    Rett

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    Replies
    1. I will look for it, Rhett. Thanks so much for the suggestion and comments.

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  7. I have an old Viking, all metal that's probably from the 60's. I bought it a few years ago. Anyway, it can go through anything without an issue. Good to have these old workhorses around!
    But, I digress! It's a beautiful bag. I love the embroidered fabric. A tip about sizing that I use not to make bags but to buy them online. I have measured my favorite bag and use that as a reference point for buying a new bag. It's hard to get a feeling for size in a bag pattern I think until you get it all done.

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    1. You are so right and thanks for that tip, Nancy. I will write those measurements down and keep them handy for pattern shopping.

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  8. Bunny, I love your new bag and the fabric you chose! If you ever decide to make another one, you might like to use "Soft and Stable" instead of Peltex.

    KarenVA

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the suggestion, Karen. Appreciated!

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  9. This bag is fantastic. Your planning and attention to detail (and perseverance through the pin pricks - ouch) has certainly paid off. Your superb skill is quite evident!

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  10. Beautiful bag,Bunny! And thanks for doing such a nice write up. You can celebrate with a nice sabayon made from the eggs.

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  11. Ah! It's gorgeous! I really want a new tote bag but lack the patience so far to research bag making (so that I'll end up with something GOOD) :)

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    Replies
    1. Just start with a simple tote. You can make them look really good with the right fabric and not like supermarket totes.

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  12. I have bag envy! And I feel your pains, making these things is a labour of love and stubbornness!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Maryanne. There were many needle stabs at the end but I got through it.

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  13. Thanks to all for your lovely comments. They are always appreciated!

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  14. Bunny, This bag is a real 'wowzer'! It looks like a very expensive bag one might find in a posh, high end boutique...of the kind I only do "window shopping" in! Love the fabric too, and on clearance no less...amazing. I have several fabrics waiting to be transformed into bags, and purchased 'The Better Bag Maker' by Nicole Mallalieu at your suggestion....great book! It really is a cut above the other books on making bags, and I thank you sew much for the tip! What a fun post this was. Linda S.

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  15. Fantastic! you have me looking at the JoAnn home dec clearance rack since your first post on this bag :-) I have some of Kay Whitt's Serendipity Studio dresses. Love her use of piecing and color. Your finishing on this bag is gorgeous. Enjoy!

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  16. You do such amazing work with the bags!!!

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  17. Love your bag!

    Try using ByAnnies Soft n Stable. This stuff is awesome. Gives the structured look you want but very soft and easy peasy to sew through!
    https://www.byannie.com/shop/category/byannies-soft-and-stable/

    Gina

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