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Suggestion for purse fabric
NhiHuynh   Intermediate CA USA Member since 2011 Posts: 318	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/29/12 3:56 AM I'm working on Nicole Mallalieu's Panel shoulder bag. The pattern says that you can use a wide range of fabrics from wool and leather to quilting weight cotton fabrics. My question is what fabric will make it look less homemade?
m/m   Intermediate NJ USA Member since 2005 Posts: 271	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/29/12 9:43 AM Both The Sewing Workshop (sewingworkshop.com) and Marcy Tilton (marcytilton.com) sell fabrics specifically for bags that aren't likely to look like they were made from craft store fabrics. Looking at their sites might give you some good ideas even if you don't buy from them. Check out some of Marcy's tutorials and closet info too. Sometimes rainwear fabrics work well (light weight, hard wearng, etc). Also watch Emma One Sock (emmaonesock.com) and Marcy's remnant listings to save a bit of money on your purchase. Hope this helps.
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 2008 Posts: 2999	Login to reply to this post In reply to NhiHuynh Like this post Date: 1/29/12 12:33 PM Bunny, from lasewist blog, makes the NICEST bags. I did a search and pasted just those posts. ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-105 completed.
misschris AUSTRALIA Member since 2006 Posts: 1040	Login to reply to this post In reply to NhiHuynh Like this post Date: 1/29/12 4:52 PM The things that make a bag look more professional are using the right interfacing for your fabric (and wadding, if appropriate), construction and finishing techniques such as trimming seams and clipping corners, top stitching and pressing. Use good quality rings, feet, zips, etc. ------ chris Melbourne
CraftAddict Advanced Beginner OH USA Member since 2010 Posts: 229	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/31/12 2:41 PM I think a combination of a good quality quilt fabric and interfacing are the trick. I've also seen bags made of sturdier home dec fabric which may not require interfacing.
Vireya Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2005 Posts: 674	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/1/12 4:53 PM If you look at the examples Nicole has on her website, you can see that she has made the panel bag out of lots of different fabrics. You can really use anything you want. It is not the fabric that will make it look homemade, it is poor finishing or structure. If your fabric is lightweight, follow Nikki's directions for adding structure. I've made two Panel bags. The first is in an imitation suede, and the second in denim. And I've seen it made in lots of other fabrics. Nikki has one where she used leather for the "panel", and wool fabric for the rest of it. But it looks great in thin cotton fabrics, too, as long as you use appropriate interfacings inside. Read the pattern for all the info about that!
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 2004 Posts: 5513	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/1/12 11:36 PM I like denim and upholstery fabrics. ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
Sibilance7   Advanced Beginner IL Member since 2011 Posts: 126	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/2/12 9:21 PM I make loads of bags, and to make them look more professional, I like to use home dec weight fabrics or upholstery fabrics. I haven't been as happy with bags I've made from quilter's cotton or other light fabrics. ------ Bernina Aurora 430 BabyLock Enlighten
Warbler   Advanced VT USA Member since 2007 Posts: 1621	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sibilance7 Like this post Date: 2/2/12 9:32 PM I agree - in order to use a lighter weight cotton like quilters cotton then it needs to be quilted. And you have to like that look in a bag. ------ Janome MC6600 Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1 Singer 15-91
Vireya Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2005 Posts: 674	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/3/12 3:57 PM I disagree. I've seen (and made) nice bags out of light-weight cotton which weren't quilted. BUT they did have appropriate fused structural materials added to them. Really it all comes down to personal taste. Use fabric you like, and use appropriate interfacings to get the stiffness or otherwise you want.

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