Of Piping Hot Importance
Some say the glass is half full, some say the glass is half empty.
I say "Are you gonna drink that?"
Anon
I'm working on a bag pattern to share. In the mean time you get to see a picture of this bag
which has a bit of every gorgeous oriental fabric thrown in, as well as a Chinese dress charm someone sent me, and lots of beading.
This is an over the shoulder diagonal number. My favourite to wear. I have such narrow shoulders that if I don't wear a bag diagonally it just keeps slipping off.
I have trimmed it with pink silk bias piping and a velvet ribbon with beading. The same pink fabric is used as binding to finish off both sides of of the straps which are interlined and padded so they won't loose their shape.
I love home-made bias bindings and pipings! I wouldn't make a bag without them. I also use them in quilting, clothes making and other sewing projects. A contrasting bias binding is a great way to finish hems and waistbands of skirts.
Piping is not a dark art. Look here for instructions on making continuous lengths of bias strips. Then fill these with piping cord following the directions here. Or you can read here for the whole shabang. You do not thread the piping cord in afterwards! That would be a nightmare! It gets sewn in, on the machine. It really is fast and easy with a piping/zipper foot! I always have several spools of piping cord in different widths in my studio. And I keep a tin full of left over cut bias binding for using on projects.
If you want to follow my upcoming bag tutorial I would recommend whipping up some piping and bias binding. Stripes, checks and small patterns look great. I also like to use shot silks to contrast with cotton projects. Make yourself 2-3 metres of piping in a contrasting fabric.
A reminder of some recent pipings:
From left to right: shot pink silk bias piping, checked cotton bias piping (made from lining fabric of old dress), stripped Kaffe Fassett shot cotton stripped bias piping. I have used a 1/8" cord. But a larger one would also be suitable.
I've just done a quick Internet search to try to find examples of nice bags to link to and I can't find much. Lots of kinda crappy bags and lots of badly designed web sites. I thought it would be easy to find good examples of uses of piping. No. Mine aren't perfect, but I'm not trying to sell them.
Today's inspiration: Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. I have an article in the March edition which some readers have let me know is available now. I haven't seen this issue of the magazine but I'm proud of my contribution and think it's a great magazine.
Likes: Piping. It's a great way to include MORE pattern and colour in sewing projects.
Dislikes: Spelling inspiration. Every time I include it, I spell it wrong and my spell check reminds me what a dolt I am, at spelling .
Great job on all your recent bags....so lovely!!
Looks like you've gotten much more accomplished lately than I have!!
Posted by: Dana | February 26, 2007 at 01:55 PM
I have narrow shoulders too and often have to "wear" my bag messenger style regardless of whether it's in or out of fashion. I am getting very excited bout the bag tutorial and actually have a bias making thingy which I shall start trying to locate......
Posted by: Gigibird | February 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
I too am a big fan of piping. I think it makes all the difference. I love this bag!
Posted by: joyce | February 26, 2007 at 03:47 PM
So glad I found your blog...can't wait for the tutorial as I fell in love with the bags that you have posted about recently...Thanks so much!
Posted by: Jane | February 26, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Have I told you yet, how amazing these bags are?!
I just love all of the fabrics, and design elements... I'm going to try so hard to follow your tutorial!
Posted by: Kathleen | February 26, 2007 at 05:54 PM
Your bag is gorgeous--I love all the colors and fabric choices. The Chinese charm is such a wonderful added detail.
Posted by: June | February 26, 2007 at 06:26 PM
spelling, schmelling. i can't spell convenience, without a little red line coming up under it.
but your bags are just gorgeous. simply and positively!
Posted by: susan | February 26, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Another excellant bag juju, I love piping too, it makes such a good detail on an item. I am very much looking forward to your tutorial.
Posted by: Joy | February 26, 2007 at 07:32 PM
hi!
I love this bag too... and I wear my bags as you do!! This way they don't bother me on the shoulder!
bye, manela
Posted by: manela | February 26, 2007 at 08:53 PM
LOVE it! I'm a small shoulder person too, and prefer to sling my bags over also for casual.
The piping makes the professional difference.
Posted by: Coryn | February 26, 2007 at 09:15 PM
Beautiful bags Juju... Have you used Clover bias tape makers? They are brilliant...
Posted by: fiberchick | February 27, 2007 at 12:24 AM
I'm a big fan of piping too--that extra detailing adds so much. Your blog is very inspiring.
Posted by: Kathie | February 27, 2007 at 01:13 PM
The Oriental bag is extremely lovely!
Posted by: Vasilisa | February 27, 2007 at 06:41 PM
What a coincidence - I have just visited Kelly's blog to find that tutorial about continuous bias binding for my current project, spent some time watching Ricky Tim's great DVD "Grand Finale", the chapter about cording, and I get to your post and it's all about bias binding and piping:-)
Great bag, by the way!
Posted by: mathea | February 27, 2007 at 08:49 PM
It does look good all that piping and I might just give it a try but I'm also interested in the photoshoped background youve used in the last little bag picture... any chance you could run through how you did that?
Posted by: whitney-anne | February 27, 2007 at 09:49 PM
LOVE this bag - you are so talented, I'm looking forward to the tut :)
Posted by: Priscilla | February 28, 2007 at 12:39 AM
You are such a tease with all these bags. My tongue is hanging out!!!! You could put one or two on Etsy or Ebay you know:) Can't wait to see the pattern. Although I don't have the skill to work with all the small beads.....I would love to make one! Thanks for all your sharing. It is always fun to come and see what you are up to:) hugs, Linda
Posted by: Linda Harre | February 28, 2007 at 03:27 AM
What a pretty bag.
I might even attempt the piping after seeing your fabulous bag.
Posted by: helle | February 28, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Love, love, LOVE the bags in the last two posts! I am on a bag hunt and am thinking of making my own and love the idea of wearing it diagonally across the shoulders. I can't find any cool bags around here, so I am looking forward to your tutorial.
AAAgh! Beautiful!
Posted by: Angela Haselton | March 01, 2007 at 03:15 AM
HOW BEAUTIFUL.
those fabrics... is it hard to work with silk? Looks so slippery...
Posted by: monica | March 01, 2007 at 11:52 AM
awesome bag! You're so clever!
Posted by: BrownPants | March 01, 2007 at 12:27 PM
I enjoyed looking at your bags. Beautifully created.
Connie
Posted by: clothmatters | March 01, 2007 at 03:38 PM
lovely, lovely bag... I wonder if I'd have the skills (and patience) to make one!
my shoulders don't support a bag either :-(
Posted by: thegardenofpinkshadows | March 01, 2007 at 05:53 PM
My March CPS just arrived, and your Collage article, "Visual Brainstorming" is one of the best I've ever read in this magazine! You will be pleased when you see the photos... they even reveal some of the depth of color and design in your collage... something that isn't easy with photographs. Thanks for sharing this stimulating approach to design!
We may all try to make bags like yours, but at the risk of giving you a big head, it's your particular combinations of fabrics and embellishments that make these bags so fabulous. Still... I'm looking forward to the pattern, and (as you say) "making my own marks in the way only I can do..."
Posted by: Robin | March 01, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Your pieces and productivity
are inspiring.
Posted by: Kirsten | March 02, 2007 at 04:11 PM