Bag Lady

I bought the first bag on my journey to Thailand in fall of 2005.  There are so many things I like about it: the color is perfect; a blue, no, its gray, with a bright coral undertone.  It changes in the light, I love the contrast of the liner (a vibrant pink/orange).  I love the subtle texture.  It's not too big, or too small; it has 4 comfortable pockets.  Its well proportioned, I've measured is dimensions, diagramed it, and studied it.

The only problem with the bag is that it is so fragile I have more than gently used it.  Now it slumps over, frayed and spotted.  So I have sought to recreate some of my favorite features in these designs.

The first design, in November 07, began with the fabric.  The color was that illusive gray-smoke-blue, as well as a subtle texture.  I like the lines and design of the bag, but it retrospect, it doesn't relate to the geometric, grid of the fabric.  Other problems:  I lined it with a fine wale, darker steel gray corduroy, which became very bulky.  Also, the design was too deep, and with the dark color, I felt like I was always loosing things in the bottom of the bag.

Then the recent sewing marathon: 2 bags designed and constructed in two weeks (Matthew's been working nights...).  Again, it began with the fabric.  Duck Egg Blue Dupion Silk.  A blue/green with a yellow-ochre color change in the light.  When searching for the perfect contrasting lining fabric I found the 2 other fabrics: a deep brown eggplant, the reverse side a dusky ochre, and the bright coral/orange silk.  There was so much potential I bought them both, and hastily developed two different designs.

And now the best part of this process - I constructed them each within 3 days - a creative satisfaction that I am deprived of with my profession.

I made the brown and coral bag first.  It is reversible and small.  I don't like it because it easily looses its shape.  It is too open at the top.  It was very difficult to construct (my fault) and towards the end I became so disappointed with the look of the bag that I got lazy with my craftmanship and the stitching gets a bit messy.  I get very impatient to finish the projects.  There were probably a few things I could have done to improve the design, but I was too anxious to finish.

I think the final design is most successful.  It is the finest fabric.  There was no pattern or texture to the fabric and I needed an opportunity to show the variation in it's color.  I had fun developing the pattern, though it took some experimenting.  I am no pleased with the lining.  It turned out slightly larger than the outer bag, and again, I'm too impatient to alter it.  And I'm not really crazy about the color contrast.  Oh well.  We'll see how it wears tomorrow.

Neither design is as nice as the original bag I bought in Thailand... but I've enjoyed exploring these alternatives.  I have admired the colors of the original piece for years and as I was photographing these bags I couldn't help but notice how that had influenced my home decor... I painted my dining and living room the steel blue-gray, and I have a contrasting red couch... deep brown accent chairs...

Process:  I sketch all the designs, draw my own pattern with drafting paper and construct them myself.

My mother taught me how to sew when I was in junior high - I use to compete in clothing competitions in 4-H.  I use my grandmother's sewing machine (Doris Tietje).