See? One side is pooching out the other is not. Not sure how clued up Ms Blyton's juvenile sleuths are on zip fitting in bags, but my money is on the tapering zip! Never mind, I think it looks pretty anyway!
I made the larger of the two bags in order to maximise what I might be able to carry with me on to a flight, instead of trying to cram everything (unsuccessfully) into a smaller handbag.
There's a ton of room in there and I'm really pleased with the overall size.
I used the Sew Sweetness pattern and some extra, helpful advice from a few friends. All in all, the pattern was easy to follow and the bag came together well. I love that I finally found a use for that Amy Butler Daisy Chain print. I made it with about half an inch to spare on that one. I think if you plan to give this bag a lot of use and abuse you would be best to make it in something a bit more robust than quilting cotton, but as I don't actually travel very often and intend that it will be carry on luggage only, I imagine it will survive well enough with the stabilisers and interfacings hidden in there.
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| Not so pretty zip end. |
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| And another one |
As I said, I am fairly certain the misshapen sides of the bag are due to my inability to interpret the zip tapering instructions. I think this caused my problems with not being able to get my needle close enough to the area where the bag edges and lining edges met the zip ends. I unpicked a few times but my puzzler couldn't work it out. Since it was most likely the tapering itself that was the issue, without understanding fully how that works I'm just repeating my problem. The result is these funny, bulky "pleats" at my zip ends and a bit of a gap in the lining side of one of the ends too.
I gave it some thought and while one part of me wants to know how to put it right, the other part of me is happy to chalk it up to experience, try to resolve it if there is ever a next time, and just get on and stuff that bag full of necessaries for fun weekends away now and again!
I do believe this finish also constitutes a tick of my FAL Qtr 3 List already!!
The bag is beautiful and I love your choice of fabric.No-one will notice the zip with all your holiday goodies in. Well done.
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely - those zipper ends had me stumped too - I can't remember who, but one of our buds put tabs on the ends of the zip, like you would a zippy pouch and that reduced the bulk at the crucial point - I keep meaning to put that to the test - you may have nudged me closer, 'cause I obviously need another bag! xxx
ReplyDeleteWell it looks gorgeous regardless of your frustration with the tapering :) I hope it gets lots of use :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely bag! Your fabrics have worked up brilliantly! Never done a tapered zip end before, but I'm wondering if it would be easier to taper a fabric covered zip end (like the ones we put in pouches)? Jxo
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag Sarah! Looks perfect to me. Zips remain a mystery to me, if it closes the bag then it's a job well done in my book!
ReplyDeleteNow you're just nit picking - it looks fabulous to me :0)
ReplyDeleteYou're being way to hard on yourself. It's a beautiful bag with gorgeous fabric. As soon as you put stuff in it there will be weird blebs and bulges. Be proud of your pretty bag - I would be !
ReplyDeleteThis bag looks gorgeous - I had to hand sew my zip bits and mine don't look that swish to be honest. It's a common issue with this bag. I also now worry about my handles in as much as if Chief slung this bag in the boot or my brother and put other stuff on top then went to unpack by yanking the bag by the handles - as men do - I can't see them lasting very long!
ReplyDeleteI think your bag looks beautiful. The fabric choice is super, and the result also looks great. Zips can be a nightmare generally... You did well. Even if the perfectionist in you is still a bit niggled!
ReplyDeleteI have had a good look at my aeroplane bag. One end of the zip looks good but I had to bodge the other end and do a bit hand sewing around it. Your aeroplane bag is gorgeous. Now stuff it full and coe and see me! Di x
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely, but yes, the tapered zip part is challenging! It looks fine, and blind men on trotting horses will never notice ;o)
ReplyDeletesuch a great bag for hand luggage, I am sure if you had not pointed it out no one would notice the little bit of a wobble.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful and no one will notice the ever so slightly mishapen side unless you point it out!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Blogger has stolen an 's' from my comment...I'm going to have to have words with him because he's also eating some of my comments!
ReplyDelete