Back in March (waaaaay back in March) I showed you this cute tote bag I’m embroidering.
If you remember that project at all (and, really, I don’t expect that you will), you might wonder what happened to it. Progress? Finish?
Well.
No finish, for sure.
Some progress, though. But not much, because it turns out that . . . well . . . it’s really not all that much fun to embroider on an already-made bag. (There is quite a bit of finagling going on back there between the bottom and the sides and straps.) I also lost the instructions. Which isn’t much of a problem for me, really. Because I tend to go my own way anyway with embroidery projects.
[EDITED TO ADD: A lot of you are suggesting in the comments that maybe I could deconstruct the bag to make the stitching easier. And . . . sure. I could. But what I didn’t tell you is that this bag is beautifully constructed, with ribbon-encased seams on the interior. Deconstructing – and reconstructing again at the finish – are not attractive options to me. So I’m really just whining, y’know?]
And while I generally really like the direction I’m headed with this bag . . .
Sometimes I do . . . “knot.”
(I love French knots. But, man. When they go bad? They REALLY go bad!)
So I’m about . . . at the half-way mark (maybe more?) with this project. And motivated to finish it so I can use it.
(And, truth be told . . . to move on to something else.)
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How about YOU? What are you working on this week?
French Knot Failure is UGH! I am working away on my “Year of Stitching Book” but it is slow going. That is not bad… after all, it took me a long time to make and even longer to decide what to do with all those panels! I am very much trying to let go of the perfection idea though… the struggle is real.
That bag is so cute! But yeah, I can see how embroidering it could be a challenge.
Do you use Thread Magic (google it)? It is silicone that you run your thread through before sewing and can help with those knots. I use it for all hand sewing. An alternative is to run your thread across a beeswax candle
French knots can seem so easy . . . until they aren’t! Could you rip out the side seams and then sew them back up when you’re finished embroidering to make it easier to finagle? It’s going to be a lovely bag when it’s done.
So interesting that you posted this because I was looking for it a week or so back. Then I decided that I would embroider some fabric and use it to make a bag. I have the fabric and lots of floss but this week I am finishing up some socks and binding a quilt. Stay tuned for that embroidered bag idea.
It looks lovely. It also looks like it would be difficult poking through that sturdy fabric. It will be worth it in the end ………..just keep repeating that mantra.
The bag will be lovely, but I can imagine the contortions required to embroider a finished bag. !!
Carole’s idea of opening the seams sounds tempting; is that a possibility??
Anyway, your work is beautiful and I love the colors. I can imagine you’ll get a lot of use out of your beautiful, finished bag.
It’s going to be a beautiful bag that you will definitely enjoy for years to come!
I agree with Carole. Deconstruction may be worth it! Also second Valerie on the Thread Magic.
I’m working on my Kiki Mariko Hearth Rug (started AGES ago) in hopes our mountain home will be ready for it this fall (16 months of construction and counting…).
Ravelry link– https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kiki-mariko
I love this bag! It is fiddly working on something already constructed (I’m mending jeans and….ugh) but (I think) you’ll have a keepsake when you’re finished. If I was there with you I could get out your knot. It’s my specialty as a teacher. 😉
Your bag project looks very worth finishing, without taking it apart if possible.
Me, I’m knitting… focusing on the current Ambah O’Brien supernova MKAL. All the clues and spoilers are out so I know what I’m doing and where the project is going but I’m behind schedule. It needs to be finished by August 15 to qualify for her end-of-project drawings. That is a nice deadline to have but not one I need to meet other than to get the project finished so I can move on.
I also ordered yarn for the Shakerag Skirt. I’ve never made or worn a knitted skirt but it looks great on everyone who posts a photo and I can wear it with Tevas or Birks so I am going to give it a try. I love a bit of lace and acres of stockinette.
I have two other WIPS that are becoming UFOs… I may pick them up again after I get the interesting part of the skirt finished. Interestingly all four projects are in some variation of navy blue either solid or in a gradient.
I was just wondering the other week about your bag. You know I ordered one too…and mine hasn’t been started. It is draped over a chair in my office room, so I see it a lot…but for some reason I have not started it. Maybe soon as I do love it and it is such a nice bag. I may end up using a hoop to stitch mine…will have to see how it goes when I start it (if ever – LOL). Meanwhile my HItchhihker is finished, the second sock is almost done…I can feel myself getting ready to start knitting the Shakerag Skirt!!! Excited.
I can’t imagine embroidering on canvas…ouchy! I’ve got a circular lace shawl, 3 pairs of socks and a cardigan on the needles. And random other things in time out. Not enough hours in the day for everything I want to do…
Loving your bag. It will be worth the effort. Have you thought about doing colonial knots instead of French knots, might be less tangling?
Oh my gosh, Kym. I get it. I get the fiddliness. BUT I LOVE IT! The bag itself is gorgeous, as is your work, and I can just hear the compliments it will glean each time you take it out and about! Maybe a great audiobook and a glass of wine would make it fly by fast(er)?
Really, beautiful.
That bag is so pretty! But it does seem like that’s the way with lots of things – pluses and minuses, and good along with not-so-good. Those beautifully constructed seams will make your bag a pleasure to use when you’re done. Just think how you’ll be able to load it up with lots of library books!
It’s a pretty bag! It will bring you joy when you’re done. Seems like I should take my learn to embroider kit on vacation and nothing else! I’ve just been asked to finish a baby sweater for a 95 year old who broke her arm. Wish me luck – this seems like pressure! 🙂
the in-progress photo sure looks like an FO to me! I’m knitting this week on a shawl for a friend. and thinking about colors for a fall tunic for myself.
I was also thinking how many envious compliments you will receive as you go through your day, casually slinging it over a cafe chair while drinking a cappuccino. I imagine you are not like me who often forgets things which are not tied down to her person. (Which is why my knitting “tote” usually comes from Target – no one makes off with a plastic sack.) I can’t remember, is your bag made out of linen? It has that expensive drapey look, making it even more luxurious…There are those of us who should never wear a knitted skirt. We know who we are which is why only the looking-good ones are pictured. (Now give me one of the dozens of current, chic knitted top designs and I’m all in.)… Anybody who aces french knots every single time gets my vote for Embroiderer of the Year. I break out in hives just thinking about them:)… Looking forward to a photo of your knitted skirt-and-embroidered-bag outfit, Kym.
It’s a gorgeous bag & design, but yeah… what a PITA to stitch an already-made bag! It’ll be wonderful… WHENEVER you finish, and it’ll feel great to cross that off the WIP list.
It will be amazing when it’s finished but I absolutely understand the frustration. I think this is just the kind of project to work on at little at a time. When it starts to get annoying, it’s time to put it away and move on to something else.
I despise embroidering! Too much starting and stopping and weaving in ends! But I love the finishing product. Your bag will be an heirloom for Erin.
The bag is so pretty. I love the flowers. They look like wildflowers which I love. I imagine the fabric is on the heavier side which would also make the embroidery challenging. A little at a time or maybe not at all. I am firm believer that making should make us happy.