Via Meh-agonale
So sad--I finished Via, but I am completely underwhelmed with my workmanship. Look:
It's saggy in weird places, the handles aren't centered, and it just feels sloppy. I am happier with the lining though. All it took was one person to outright not like it (thanks, Shelby!) and I was pushed over the edge. I ended up with a cream colored linen (or something linen-esque, anyway) which I think suits just fine:
But anyway, back to the problem. I guess I could give it to my advisor the way it is, but I think I would feel very "hey, mom, here's the lumpy ashtray I made you in kindergarten!" about it. Which leaves me with 1) not giving it at all or 2) doing a serious makeover on it. This would involve removing the lining and the handles and unsewing the bottom, and then ripping the 87 thousand miles of applied i-cord, and at least one pattern repeat, then re-sewing the bottom, re-applying the i-cord and re-lining the bag. That's not insurmountable, I guess, but it's not what you want to be faced with after finishing a project like this. I'm going to have to sleep on it.
In the meantime, I promise not to bore you with endless pictures of tote bags, but I am enjoying finding little ways to improve on them. Here's my most recent version, which I'm particularly pleased with:
So cute, right? It has cherries! And piping! And, best of all,
a fully functional, not entirely crappy zippered pocket! (I'm pretending that the visible pocket lining around the edges is a design choice.)
I also made some progress on the Red Sox Sox over the weekend, and, gloriously, the toe of the second, smaller version is just as good as the first one! Hurrah! (Although evidently I should have worked on them more to prevent the Sox from dropping 2 out of 3 to the stupid Cubs. Which, laugh all you want, but I was knitting them during the third game, which the Sox won 8-1, but not during the two losses. I blame myself.) But mostly I was knitting a Secret Gift Project, which will not have to be secret for much longer. So if I don't post over the next few days, it's because I'm being secretive and sneaky.
Finally, you've all gone to marvel at Sgt Pepper already, yes?
It's saggy in weird places, the handles aren't centered, and it just feels sloppy. I am happier with the lining though. All it took was one person to outright not like it (thanks, Shelby!) and I was pushed over the edge. I ended up with a cream colored linen (or something linen-esque, anyway) which I think suits just fine:
But anyway, back to the problem. I guess I could give it to my advisor the way it is, but I think I would feel very "hey, mom, here's the lumpy ashtray I made you in kindergarten!" about it. Which leaves me with 1) not giving it at all or 2) doing a serious makeover on it. This would involve removing the lining and the handles and unsewing the bottom, and then ripping the 87 thousand miles of applied i-cord, and at least one pattern repeat, then re-sewing the bottom, re-applying the i-cord and re-lining the bag. That's not insurmountable, I guess, but it's not what you want to be faced with after finishing a project like this. I'm going to have to sleep on it.
In the meantime, I promise not to bore you with endless pictures of tote bags, but I am enjoying finding little ways to improve on them. Here's my most recent version, which I'm particularly pleased with:
So cute, right? It has cherries! And piping! And, best of all,
a fully functional, not entirely crappy zippered pocket! (I'm pretending that the visible pocket lining around the edges is a design choice.)
I also made some progress on the Red Sox Sox over the weekend, and, gloriously, the toe of the second, smaller version is just as good as the first one! Hurrah! (Although evidently I should have worked on them more to prevent the Sox from dropping 2 out of 3 to the stupid Cubs. Which, laugh all you want, but I was knitting them during the third game, which the Sox won 8-1, but not during the two losses. I blame myself.) But mostly I was knitting a Secret Gift Project, which will not have to be secret for much longer. So if I don't post over the next few days, it's because I'm being secretive and sneaky.
Finally, you've all gone to marvel at Sgt Pepper already, yes?
posted by Ashley at 4:58 PM
6 Comments:
it wouldn't help the handles, but might help the sagging: when I've made lined bags before I've often slotted in a layer of really heavy tapestry canvas between the outer layer and lining to give structure. so sad, that you feel undewhelmed. surely we can make this better.
Sorry about Via, but that cherry tote is super cute. Why not give it to your advisor (unless you don't want to part with it, which I would totally understand)? What's next on the sewing front? Seems like it's time to move on to skirts or something.
I think both the bags are adorable, but we're all kinda picky about the way our stuff turns out. I wish I was better with needle and thread b/c that cherry tote is sweet!
Ahhh! So YOU are the reason the Sox lost 2-3 to the cubs!! Dammit!
Just kidding.... I really love both bags, especially the cherries! But, you certainly wouldnt feel good about Via unless you fixed it.
Love,
SP
I've been away for far too long. I had no idea I'd missed all of the totes. I love the cherries - how cute is that? And the fabric you bought for your needle holders is right up my alley - also the flowered/polka dot bags - they might actually be my favorites. Jeez - I just love everything don't I?? Anyhow, I cracked up laughing over your title "meh-agonale" - that is horrible that you don't care for it all that much - especially after all that freaking i-cord. Anna's suggestion seems sound to me - if you were to stiffen it up a bit, it might have more of the structure that you want...? Good luck with it!!
Hi,
I just want to put my two cents in.. the bag looks awesome, I'd LOVE to get it as a gift.. NO ONE will notice if the handles are off a millimeter or so, and once it's got lots of STUFF in it, it's gonna sag some anyway... glad you changed the lining.. I'd give it and be VERY proud :-)
Mia
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