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 .

Comments

[Dana]

Great job on all your recent bags....so lovely!!

Looks like you've gotten much more accomplished lately than I have!!

[Gigibird]

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......

[joyce]

I too am a big fan of piping. I think it makes all the difference. I love this bag!

[Jane]

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!

[Kathleen]

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!

[June]

Your bag is gorgeous--I love all the colors and fabric choices. The Chinese charm is such a wonderful added detail.

[susan]

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!

[Joy]

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.

[manela]

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

[Coryn]

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.