Week 10-Thankful To Be Close, Still Far Away...

As you can see from above, it's actually beginning to resemble a purse. I realized while sewing that purses are supposed to have a semi-sturdy bottom to be able to set it down on the floor. I took some cardboard from the recycling and cut it to fit the bottom section of the purse, and sewed it in. The side section was difficult because of the curve at the end of the patchwork portions of the purse. I had to torque my hand around to keep the fabric from buckling with the turn. I brought home some jeans that I need to cut off into shorts, so I'm thinking of making the handles out of the left over long sections of denim.

In relation to class, the cardboard and jean denim is definitely frugal. It is sort of like the trashion-refashion theme. I'm realizing that without a sewing machine, there is no way any purse I could possibly make would be even close to as strong as one you would buy...or create with a machine. I think this is just human error...let's face it, I can't put my stitches as close together and I can't fit as many as a machine could. Therefore, this purse can NOT be used for heavy duty lifting. I'm really looking forward to having this done...it's been a weight on my mind for quite some time. After a weekend involving an 8 hour drive and a music festival, I can safely say I'm too tired to work on it tonight, but I will obviously have to have it finished by thursday when I present. I don't think I'll bring in the final project...probably just the powerpoint images to avoid it being messed about with too much.

Week 9-Double Progress

                 I cut out the second piece of fabric for the purse this past week and sewed on a bottom piece of fabric to compose the bottom of the purse (where you set it down on the floor).  I have to sew some side panels into the purse next, and start working on the pocket and handle portion.  The same principles of what we're discussing in class still apply--that good things are costly and take a long time to make.  I'm scrambling to the finish and I'm fighting with a large amount of homework right now.  I'm working on the purse the best I can...it's my birthday today, so I didn't get much of a chance to do anything today.  Hopefully this upcoming week will be better.  Pictures next week to come.  

Week 8-The Purse Takes a Recognizable Form

          Tada!  I finally cut into the quilting fabric I created!  You can kind of see the blue liner I sewed onto the back...this is so the inside of the purse isn't rough when it's complete.  I'm really liking the result of the shape I picked for the purse.  I'm glad I changed my mind at the last second!  I was supposed to get to Hobby Lobby this weekend to get metal circles for attaching the handles to the bag itself, but unfortunately I didn't make it.  

          Right now I'm considering making some side panels out of the fabric my mom really liked, to make more space in the purse.  I need to work on it throughout the week to complete it on time.

          It's hard to connect this to what we're reading...as it's about food production.  However, this week I've been very conscious of what I've been eating.  Everytime I see a hamburger I shudder now a days.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book in the next couple of weeks. 

Week 7-I SEWED Over My Spring Break!

         Over Spring Break 2010, I spent my time doing homework and sewing for this project.  Awesome, right?  Who needs the beach and happiness when they have the Discovery Channel and Taco Bell.  A lot has gone on with my project since the last post, please note the picture below.  I finally have enough fabric sewn together to cut out my pattern for the shape of the purse.  This whole quilting process has taken far longer than I ever imagined.  

            I had just woken up when this was taken (note the sleep-marks from my sheets on my cheek still), so it really does not do how big the piece of completed fabric is justice.  I was at Little 500 qualifications yesterday when I looked up and saw a girl with a strangely shaped purse.  I decided to change the design of what I had originally planned to be a banana-esque shaped purse to one which resembles a triangle with a flat top like the one I saw at the track.  I realized putting together the completed purse would be much easier this way, and would look better in the long run.  

              This break was the first time my mom really got to see the design for her soon-to-be summer purse.  Her favorite fabric turned out to be the one with the white background, featuring circles and green and blue diamond shapes.  She requested that a pocket on the inside be composed of this fabric, so I'll see what I can do.  

               Right now in class we're reading Cheap by Ellen Ruppel Shell.  The best way I can relate that to my project is in the topic of price.  The fabric and supplies for making a purse like this were pretty expensive considering how little you got for your money.  Then you have to consider the zippers, ribbons, etc.  However, after reading this book I've come to the conclusion you could purchase this type of purse at Wal-Mart for, like, ten bucks.  I understand the appeal.  This thing has taken me hours and I'm no where near being done.  Something made by hand by fabric sold in a fashion which would benefit the producer, should and would be higher in price at retail stores if the labor and materials were being purchased fairly.  

             Tonight I will be cutting out the pattern and hopefully sewing in the blue liner for the purse, I'm going to have to start cramming to make up lost time on the quilting component.  

Week 6-Progress?

         Ok, so last week I took my "One Free Pass" off of posting a blog entry, due to a friend passing away in a car accident.  Needless to say, I wasn't in the "crafty" mood.  This event, however, did remind me of Babcock's article.  There were so many people making little things to put into his casket and one of my friends, his best friend, is now getting a tattoo in memory of his life...outlets for grief, but art nonetheless.  

          The middle of this past week I began working on the purse again, and I honestly don't feel like I'm getting anywhere at all.  I mean...looking back at last week's picture I realize I definitely have added to my project, but not enough in my opinion to post a picture.  As I've said before, I will be using my sewing machine at home over spring break, so that should definitely help give me a leg-up in my progress.  Currently, I'm watching the Oscars and hoping to get some more work done on the purse while I sit here...to rid of idleness and be useful simultaneously.  In order to get as much done as possible during break, I'm going to be working very hard on the "hand" work of the project during this week.  Lately, I've been trying to work going to the gym into my already busy schedule.  Working on this "by-hand" project is definitely something I've had to put before working out which has been disheartening at times.  However, I'm hoping once I finish that the effort and sacrifice will feel very worth it.

Week 5-A Slow, Slow Process...

      

           The above is what I have accomplished thus far in the project.  I have essentially doubled my sets of 4 square strips.  I'm still dealing with not having a sewing machine.  I actually have used sewing machines in the past.  In fact, when I was little and curious about how sewing machines worked, my mother would draw a simple design on a piece of paper and have me try to sew right on the line using the machine.  I must admit the loud noises and speed of the needle scared me.  Even now, that fast needle is intimidating.  So, I'm still doing this all by hand.  I'm running short on pre-cut squares now, so this next week I will have to stock up again.  

            I'm pleased with how it's turning out.  I think the colors are working really well together.  They aren't too random, but still unique in design.  I had this epiphany the other day while I was laying in bed that once I sew the strips together, I could sew random patterns and "swirls" which could serve as reinforcement for the hand sewing I'm doing now.  It would take less time and appear more frivolous in design than going over every seam again.  

           I attended the ArtsWeek event 4 Miami women this Saturday, 2/20.  One of the woman mentioned how a major part of her motivation in completing her craft was the calming effect had on her.  It is the same for me I find.  In all crafts I have done since I can remember, I enjoyed sitting still and completing something I cared about.  Sure, you sit still in classes for hours...but you probably don't feel relaxed or especially accomplished in doing so.  

           What next?  More monotonous hand-sewing.  Oh, and some cutting of squares to stock up my pile of fabric again.  It's in a pretty boring stage of the process right now, hopefully I can continue to enjoy the repetition of the craft and get through this portion of the project.

Week 4-Where Are All Of The Sewing Machines?!

           This week, I spent my "crafting" time sewing together the quilt squares one at a time.  While this sounds relatively easy, I had some difficulties with it.  First of all, you have to make sure you're sewing the same distance from the edge of the fabric each time, or else they won't match up in the end.  My mother told me this a long time ago and won't let me forget it anytime soon.  I did my best using a ruler, but this is a flawed method.  Another problem is that all I am equipped with to sew is an emergency sewing kit my grandmother gave to me shortly before I came to IU.  The spools of thread are very small and I have only a few choices of needles and colors to work with.  I've decided the next time I go home I'll have to invest in a couple more full-sized spools of blue or green thread.  The following picture is of the progress I have made this week.  4 rows of 4 squares each.  

            I'm slightly disheartened with how insignificant my progress seems to the big picture.  Which leads me to another issue I had this week, the thought of a sewing machine.  A friend of mine majoring in Apparel Merchandising recommended the sewing machines in the basement of a building here on campus where the textiles lab is.  Her directions were sub-par, and I'm not sure I can even use them seeing as I'm an anthropology major, not a textiles major.  Because I have not had access to a sewing machine, I used my needle and thread described above.  The lines resulting, however, are uneven and not as strong as they would be if I was using a machine.  

    

         I've done the best with what I could.  I will definitely be utilizing my sewing machine at home over spring break for this project.  There's never been a doubt in my mind that "art" takes a great deal of "craft" to complete.  I know we have discussed their overlap in class, and I think this project definitely gives an interesting example.  Measuring edges, lining up fabric and so on are not just aesthetic, girly, tasks.  If one does not have some grasp of crafting, they could not do art at all in my opinion.  I will be continuing to sew these squares together by hand through this next week, hopefully I limit how many times I stab myself with the needle.  

Week 3-The Epic Journey to Hobby Lobby

            I, stupidly, braved this weeks winter storm to go home this past weekend.  On Saturday I went to Hobby Lobby in Muncie to get my needed supplies.  I ended up buying these 4 different prints of fabric, all of which happened to be on sale.  I realize they clash horribly and that the only consistency is the theme of green and blue but, as I've said before, I prefer a little chaos.  My friend Bri came with me to do the shopping, and happened to be in a terrible mood.  However, this ended up being to my benefit because she was brutally honest about my choices in fabric.  I had chosen a bright green instead of the circle/square print, but I was given a stern look and a, "that's ugly."  I'm actually glad she said something, because in retrospect...she was right.  It wouldn't have looked good at all.  

             Bri actually needed something from JoAnn Fabrics, which is about two doors down from Muncie's Hobby Lobby.  So we went there next and I purchased the ribbon and some bright green buttons (since there was going to be no bright green fabric involved).

              

           Saturday afternoon was extremely uneventful, so I decided to go ahead with the next step of making this purse--cutting quilt squares.  My mom had a quilt square (used to measure and mark different sizes of squares so they are uniform) which she allowed me to bring back to IU to use for the remainder of the project.  I chose a 2.5 x 2.5 square for the majority of the pieces of the bag.  However, I will use a 1.5 x 1.5 for some extra layered patches on top later on.  Scale wise, this seemed to be the best option for an oversized purse.   Being Superbowl Sunday, I knew I couldn't do my reading for Folklore during the game...so I decided to work on the purse.  I found myself relating to the Gelber article, where women did crafts to make something productive in an otherwise unproductive situation.  This is exactly what I was doing.  Instead of giving up and only watching the game, I crafted while I watched.  The rest of this week, my "now what," is monotonously cutting out all of the needed squares.  Below is a picture of one of the squares to get an idea of the size (compared to my hand).

Week 2-A Primary Drawing & The Supplies

            This week I decided to draw out a rough plan for what I plan on creating.  I used colored pencils in about 5 different shades of blues and greens, as well as "gold" for the metalwork.  You can see that there are some gold stitches connecting the patches in the close-up.  I plan on sewing them together with a traditional needle and thread.  However, I really like the idea of being able to see a dramatized stitch pattern of sorts.  For this I will probably buy gold ribbon and use a large needle to give the appearance that this ribbon, not thread, is keeping the patches together.  I also realized while putting this picture together that zippers in theory are easy to draw, but not so much in reality.  I actually had planned on drawing the interior of the purse in detail, but realized how strange the drawing looked and how far from reality it would be.  The difference in patch size would actually be a lot more noticeable than they appear in the drawing.  I even am considering layering patches for an "extra vintage-y" look.  A problem I ran into was that in my mind, the purse is much more attractive than my picture.  Is this a problem of planning, or an indication of my failure at properly drawing my idea?  We'll find out.  

               Not having a car in Bloomington, I'm looking for some way to get to Hobby Lobby.  I asked my roommate (who's from Bloomington) about the buses and she was spectacle.  I haven't been home in a couple weeks and, after a recent breakup with my boyfriend (who lives in my hometown), I am very hesitant to go home just to make a trip to the local Hobby Lobby there.  So for the next few days I'll be trying to track down a way to get to the store here in Bloomington, which is more difficult than it sounds.  I could walk, but the arm-load of bags would increase my chances of getting hit by a driver whom is annoyed with how slow I would be moving.  My "now what?" would be the journey to get the supplies necessary for the project.  Also, I think I'll try re-drawing a plan with silver metal instead of gold as I've always been more of a silver fan anyway.

               

            

Week 1-Me, My Craft History, And The Plan.

                   I'm a very crafty person in my spare time.  I can't say I've ever tried to sell anything I've made seriously, besides maybe some friendship bracelets when I was 13 or so.  I tend to really like scrap-booking, but I'm such a perfectionist a page in my book is a day-long project.  I do crafts as a distraction.  I do enjoy the colors and clean lines...the aesthetic details.  But I also enjoy knowing I'm creating something I have complete control over and can decide how it will ultimately turn out.  I was excited that this class requires us to endeavor on a craft project.  This way, I have a great excuse to spend my time working on a project instead of reading for another class (or at least have a great study-break activity).  At first, I thought maybe I'd learn how to crochet.  However, I already know how to knit...and, as a result, have my fair share of very questionable looking scarves I have made over the years.  I decided I didn't need anymore mediocre scarves or blankets.  

                    When I want to do something crafty, I never do research of any kind.  I get an idea and run with it without ever really referencing DIY books or someone I know, and improvise when needed.  Because there's really no referencing, I usually get an image of what I want to create in my head and guess at what I need to do it.  My ideas for crafts pop up randomly and are almost always very detailed from the get-go.  For this project, I think I'd really like to do an oversized purse to give to my mom.  She's quite the purse fiend and I've never made anything as useable as a purse before.  I know I want it to be composed of greens, blues, and gold, but from there I need to do more planning.  

                      For next week's post, I plan on sketching some ideas and uploading the various designs I come up with.  Keep posted and let me know which you end up liking the best!