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Saturday, January 31, 2009

Design Journey: CAL purse



I've been observing shapes of bags lately. I started some sketching with some goals. On my sketch, I have notes: What kind of base do I want? What shape base? How do I introduce color and texture? Overlays? What do I want the tote to hold? A project? is it to be a day-trip bag? I'd like to do some color work. Should the colors reflect the season? I think I want to keep the handles option open. I can both design a crocheted handle and also place it so that I can purchase handles.

I need to work out closure ideas. It would be cool if I could work out some kind of magnet, strong magnets, long skinny bar magnets, that could go into that top band and hold shut. Does anyone know where I could get something like that? I guess I could do a zipper, but if it's a tote for yarn, I don't want yarn to get caught in a zipper... snaps? I like Snaps, but for a big bag, we would need a couple... flap and clasp? I've done that several times before... tie closure... done that, not sure I want to do it again on this project.... buttons? Hmm, it would have to be the right buttons. Toggle buttons? I'll have to keep thinking and thinking how it would go with the design.

Have you ever heard of Bag-e-bottoms? It's a store that makes these acrylic plates that go in the bottom of purses to help them stay flat. Do I want to design the base to fit one of these? Maybe the size "D" which is 5.5" x 11"?

Next step? Start stitching and see what I come up with. It will be interesting to see how much the finished product looks like the sketch and how much it has evolved.

2 comments:

Lorena said...

I really like a carry-all, so the acrylic insert bottom is a great idea. I'll probably be using this as an everyday purse, a project bag, and school/book bag. Bigger is better!

Deidre Eyles said...

Hi Ellen,

I love your topic! I like to design bags, they're fun and provide so much room for creativity :) For the magnets, don't use the ones with flat "bars" that you put through the work and bend over! I used that on my felted flame purse and it's cutting the yarn! Yikes!! I have to carefully mend it and re-felt it.