Humble beginnings
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 4:51AM A few days ago I mentioned purchasing a pattern from BFC Creations for an embroidered hobo bag. I wanted to make a test purse first, since I find purses rather challenging to begin with.
Digging through my stash, I came across some horrendous pale grey denim (???) that I have no recollection of buying, it’s so ugly! I also have some rather ugly blue denim, both in fairly large quantities, that I decided to make my test purse in.
;)
The instructions are not the best, in fact I am finding them downright confusing, so we’ll see how my actual assembly goes! But the front is embroidered, with some appliqué… I used a gray denim circle in the center, and two blue denim hearts on the sides.
It would have been nice had the designs been digitzed with the shape of the sections they’re to be embroidered on as an outine. Lining up the side pieces was challenging to say the least. The pattern piece was too large to fit my scanner, so I wasn’t able to digitize it in. I ended up viewing my design layout onscreen, and holding up the pattern piece to the screen, so I could look through it and line things up! I know someone will read this and laugh and have a much better suggestion… sometimes my brain simply doesn’t function right. Happens a lot these days!
I used a decorative stitch on my Bernina 830 down the seams on the front. Next time I’d use a heavier thread for this.
Anyway, it’s fun to see how some embroidery (some eight hours worth!) can transform some ugly old fabric!
Reader Comments (14)
Very nice.... I was watching for your post on this. The pattern is adorable but the directions are not? Is that what I am hearing? I don't mind paying these high prices for files and it is a well done pattern. It drives me crazy to buy a pattern when it is poorly done.
Good to know on the directions. I purchased a purse from them as well. It's fun to see how your is progressing.
That is absolutely gorgeous! Too bad the directions are horrible.
Many times I hold pattern pieces up to my screen to see how it goes and how embroideries fit. Is there another way :) ?
Karen in GA
Love the test purse! You have put so much work into this one. It is pretty though, for just a test!
I also find some of the directions on purse patterns confusing.
glen
That fabric is certainly not ugly anymore! I think it is beautiful! I have found that quite often the directions for assembling bags, are not very well written. But, maybe it is that I just get confused too easily! :~)
Wow! This is beautiful!
for "ugly" fabric, this is going to be GORGEOUS!
Oh but that embroidery does make the denim much prettier! Good luck with it.
You did a great job, even if the directions are tough. I think Suz would have given help if you had emailed her. I haven't bought any of the purse designs, yet. I don't need that much of a challenge right now. Looking forward to the next stage.
That is turning out so pretty!
Beautiful! It really did transform the fabric.
Gorgeous!! I was tempted to buy the pattern, but after reading your post, I think I won't. I have trouble putting purses together, too, and so I know I'd struggle. I'm sure you'll get it figured out since you've gotten so far already. Can't wait to see the finished product.
That is going to be a beautiful purse. Your embroidery work is wonderful and the placements are great. I do some machine embroidery, not as much as I used to, and I know that placement is a really big deal. Well done!
CJ I would express your opinion on the directions to BFC. They do seem to listen to customer comments.