ZIPPERS GALORE!!!!!!!

I don't know about you but zippers are a royal pain!!!!  As most of you know I have a tailoring business and zippers are part of the deal.  I decided last year to quit replacing jacket and coat zippers, you have to be really special for me to even talk about it!!!!  Zippers in coats are really time consuming and people don't understand why it costs so much, so I have just quit.  If the cleaners or other shops like to do zippers I say good deal!!!  I will replace jean and pant zippers, they are not a problem!!!

So what to do with all these zippers, some are antique and some are just worthless so the sort begins.  I have no idea how many zips there were, but I got them all organized in zip lock bags and labeled and put in a bin.  I had already sorted and organized all the pulls and stops for repairs so now I am in good shape.  I did throw out a bunch and have no idea what I'll do with the rest.  I have seen some really cute flowers made with the zips, another project!!!!

This is my first of many drawers and cupboards to go thru I would just like to have the whole mess organized once and for all!!!  But for you that sew and craft we all know that is a pipedream!!!

Happy New Year to all!!!!!!

Ties Ties and more Ties!!!!!!!!!!

  

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!!!!!