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

[BrownPants]

awesome bag! You're so clever!

[clothmatters]

I enjoyed looking at your bags. Beautifully created.

Connie

[Melissa McCobb Hubbell]

lovely, lovely bag... I wonder if I'd have the skills (and patience) to make one!

my shoulders don't support a bag either :-(

[Robin]

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..."

[Kirsten]

Your pieces and productivity
are inspiring.

[laBaronneC]

So beautiful bags !!! félicitations à la française, BRAVO !

[lk]

Do you need me to send along a copy of CPS to you? :> Just let me know and I will!

[laura]

I just can't wait to see your tutorial! I love your bags and I've got such a nice fabric here that is dying to become a nice bag.

[Laurie]

Wow! I love your site! Found it linked to Anna Maria's site!!! Your bags are sooo WOW, like I first said. I will be checking back regularly! Lovely fabric choices!!! You really have the knack for art!

[Steph VW]

Sigh. Your site is so inspirational. It makes me want to flee the office, go home and sew.