Part two of the Designer Handbags series on Sewing with Nancy is on the www.nancyzieman.com website. Watch how easy it is to finish the bag after the embroidery is complete.
As you watch, you’ll notice we used cotton quilting fabrics for the bags. But you’re not limited to those fabrics. In fact, almost any fabric will work since it’s the interfacing that gives the bag body.
Recently I raided the home décor aisle in my local fabric store and scored two awesome fabrics. I selected an animal print canvas along with a brick-patterned polyester. The results are two totally different looks. The animal print is great for everyday use; I used headliner fabric for the interfacing and really enjoy the soft feel of this bag. I didn’t bother making a tab closure but opted to add a ribbon-embellished zipper. You’ll see the how-to steps for this bag in the January/February 2012 issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery (shipping now).
The more formal brick-patterned polyester fabric called for a more serious approach. So I used Peltex craft interfacing and ultra-suede scraps for the tab, corner trims and strap connectors. The result? A proper bag appropriate for business meetings and ventures into the city. I’ve been stopped twice by strangers asking where I bought this bag. Wow! What a compliment!
I am having so much fun making handbags. I love the professional finish of each one and yet they are all so different. I love how just a bit of fabric is needed for each project and I get to use scraps for some of the elements. I love how the bags can be any size I need and any style that I envision. I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with these ideas.
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Nancy uses a wooden dowel, because the stabilizer is so thick! Love watching Nancy’s videos.
Nancy uses a wooden dowl so it doesn’t leave any mark on the outside of the fabric. Sandra
Nancy uses a wooden rowel. Nancy’s videos are so helpful! I always learn something new.
She uses a wooden dowel, brilliant idea!
Nancy used a wooden dowel underneath the seam. Neat trick to know.
She uses a wooden dowel. She’s so smart!!
She uses a wooden dowel. I love her tecniques!
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. A very slick trick.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. I would have never thought of that myself, nice trick!
A wooden dowel.
A wooden dowel. How clever!
She uses a wooden dowel to make it easier to press.
A woonden dowel and so looking forward to the upcoming issue of Designs magazine. Merry Christmas to me:)
A wooden dowel.
thanks
She used a wooden dowel.
A wooden dowel does the trick for her – sooo clever!
A wooden dowel.
A wooden dowel
Nancy uses a wooden rowel.
She used a wooden dowel. Thanks for the chance to win!
Gail
Nancy uses a wooden dowel.
A wooden dowel was the pressing tool.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel.
She uses a wooden dowel.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel.
A wooden dowel, which is something I hadn’t thought of. The videos are so helpful!
Nancy uses a wood dowel to press the seams open. she has the best ideas for sewing – love her shows and the ones you are on with her, as well
Laurie
nancy uses a wooden dowel to press the seams open. Love the videos – gives me great ideas!
Nancy uses a wooden dowel.
Nancy used a wooden dowel to press the seams on her designer bag. Every sewist should have one!
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. Your two bags are beautiful! The black one is so sophisticated, and I love the animal print. I’m going to take a look at the Home Decor dept the next time I go in to shop! Wow!
She uses a wooden dowel
Good morning! She uses the wooden dowel. It would be great to win this. I have so many ideas and would really like to try my hand at it.:-)
Nancy uses a dowel. Makes me think of what else I have around the house I can use. Your bags are very attractive and you have thought of everything in the design files. Great video!
Love that idea of using a wooden dowel! Love the idea of more handbags!
I never would have thought of using a wooden dowel! My husband thinks I am crazy for buying t-squares, laser levels and wallpaper seam rollers for use in my sewing.
She uses a dowel
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. What a great idea!
Nancy uses a wooden dowl. I love the bag idea.
Nancy used a wooden dowel under the seam, then pressed with an iron. Love these VIDEOS!!!
Nancy used a wooden dowel. I have a couple of sizes of dowels and they work great!
Nancy used a wooden dowel. I can’t wait to try my hand at making this.
A wooden dowel is what she uses, great idea! Can’t beat the dynamic duo of Eileen & Nancy, thanks gals!
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. These handbags are fabulous — now that I’m finished with my day job,I’m ready to dive in!
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. I have enjoyed watching Nancy for many years on the cable chanel and now on the internet. I have a number of her books and she always inspires me with her crativity and comprehensive instructions. Keep up the good work ladies.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. I wonder if the narrow side of my June Tailor pressing board would work too.
A wooden dowel does the trick
Nancy uses a wooden dowel under the seam to press it open without leaving marks.
Wooden dowel……great idea!
A wooden dowel…nice!
What wonderful creative handbags. The use of the wooden dowel to press the bottom in very inventive. I have so many ideas now.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. Never would have thought of that.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. I’ve used one for years which my father-in-law cut in half for me, so it doesn’t roll around. One thing to be careful is that over the years the wood can start to splinter – you don’t want to snag expensive fabric (ask me how I know).
Nanvy uses a wooden dowel. i love these bags, they are verry beautifull
Merry christmas to all
Nancy uses a wooden dowel under seam to press it open
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. I am going to try it!
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. Wish I could be that out of the box thinker.
Love all the stuff I learn here — Nancy uses a wooden dowel.
Happy Holidays!
I LOVED watching this series when it was on TV! Nancy uses her wooden dowel, but she also uses a ham to help open up the seams and shape them.
Eileen, Not a comment although I enjoyed reading it all. I wish to know whether you still have space available in your Fresno, Ca. class the end on Jan. Please respond as I must make my arrangements if able to get in. Anxiously awaiting a positive reply. LOL
Alyne Arnett
aarnett0755@charter.net
Hi Alyne, please call Authorized Sew & Vac – the host of the Stitching Sisters event in Fresno. Their phone number is 559-439-2560. I’m pretty sure there are still seats available but they have the final word! Hope to see you there! Happy Holidays.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel since the fabric is thick.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. What a great tip! Love your videos with Nancy. Just finished the Lady Liberty quilt from your book. It’s stunning.
I would love to see a photo! Feel free to post it on our Facebook page!
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. I also use a piece of 1 X 2 for some “odd” areas requiring pressing.
A wooden dowel.
A wooden dowel. Love the purses!
A Wooden Dowell, thank you.
Nancy uses a wooden dowell! Thanks
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. I just saw the show yesterday. I loved it and can hardly wait to make one of bags from your new book! The tips were great and very informative. Are you coming back to Colorado in 2012? I would love to see you!
Nancy uses a large wooden dowel! Great tip. I made the small gadget bag for my new Nikon 1 camera, ended up enlarging by 20% to accomodate the lense and use the original for the extra lens. These ‘designer’ bags are going with me to Europe this summer!! Thanks to you both!
She uses a wooden dowel.
Nancy uses a wooden dowel. Love all the great tips. Thanks
Nancy uses a wooden dowel so it presses the seam open without leaving marks in the fabric.