Sunday was Tie day here at Patches and Pieces. I got an order for three tie purses and two children's bags. So this is what I came up with, I think they are quite fun.!!!!
Ties are a lot of fun to work with, however they really do not hold up well for purses used all the time.They are thin silky fabrics that are really designed to hang around a neck and not a beating in the car, on the counter, over the shoulder etc. So keep this in mind when you decide what to do with your ties. I use my purses regularly and they hold up a couple of years.
These bags are made from ties as they are, no taking them apart, leave the interfacing in them for added strength and stability. I cut my bag from some cotton fabric, scraps work great. I don't use patterns as I think the ties talk to me and lead me to my design. I cut the fabric and then start cutting the ties to fit, overlap and top stitch or zig zag. Trim up the edges and then you can serge the whole works and sew it however you want. The flap purse has bound edges, the brown bag is just overlapped ties and turned inside out, the red had 2 ties sewed on the top edge and tied in a knot on the side, the kids bags are bound on the top and turned inside out. Since I used a backer fabric and serged the edges I did not do anymore lining. This is already alot to sew thru, I use a commercial machine that I use for denim and leather. You may have to just butt the ties together and zig zag for less bulk.
Years ago I read about Alabama Chanin, a company out of??? Alabama owned by Natalie Chanin. has done a wonderful job using US made fabrics, threads and labor to develop a wonderful collections of designs, such an inspiration!!! So, of course I have to try my hand at this in some fashion, coming up next!!!!!!
Happy Sewing!!!! And Happy Holidays to all of you!!!!!
