PPC2: Making it WORK!

Purse Pattern Chronicles- The Sequel
(This post is part of a continuing series focusing on the development of a new handbag pattern from its initial conception to it's release.)

So in our last post, I showed you the original sketch for my new design and my inspiration for the balloon-style edging I was hoping to embellish it with. So, the next step is to start working up samples, (in scrap fabric of course, so please do not judge the color or the print.)

So in my first sample, my goal was to drape the exterior shape i was after and to get the correct degree of ruffling.

This is flat-style ruffled edging like we've used before.

I like the amount of ruffling in this edge, but as you can see, it's flat, like most ruffles or pleats are, and as we know, this isn't the final look I'm after. So now it's time to move along and start experimenting with that balloon look that I like so well. :)

I knew that when folks made those balloon valances back in the 80's, they usually used tissue or batting of some sort to help achieve that puffy edge, so I experimented a bit with fleece, but that didn't work well at all. I tried basting a strip of batting prior to gathering the edging in place, but it was cumbersome and tended to get into the stitched edge and that just bulked things up unnecessarily. I was getting pretty discouraged so I took a run down to the local home decorating store and found myself absently walking the aisles for an idea... any idea... and there it was, staring me right in the face! Cotton piping! Eureka! It just might work!

My first successful attempt at the balloon edge I'm after.

So I bought a couple decent lengths of cotton piping in various widths to play around with, and here's the deal. I tried using the 1/4" wide piping first and as it turns out, cotton piping is the PERFECT way to gather this edging! I'm talking FAST and EASY! But anyway, check out the pic to the right to see the effect that the 1/4" width piping had on the ruffle edge.

An extreme closeup of the balloon-edge.

Here's an extreme closeup of how the 1/4" piping looks on the kangaroo-style pocket edge. I gotta tell ya, I liked it a lot... but I also didn't think the balloon-effect was as pronounced as I desired. So for my next sample, I'll try using a wider cotton piping in an effort to get the look I'm after.

So to recap, here's the last of my test samples in junk fabric. I always hesitate to show these pictures, since the bag is obviously SO ugly. None of the fabrics match. There's no fusible fleece between the layers to plump up the exterior and all the flaws still need correcting, (but for the most part they're all minor, easily manageable fixes, here they are:

No more junky fabric for us. Bring on the GOOD stuff!

• the side height of the Kangaroo pockets are a bit low. I want to raise them up about 2 inches on each side.
• I 'm going to run the edging from top to bottom on the Kangaroo pockets, rather than just in those 2 small sections.
• And of course I'm going to a thicker width of cotton piping for a more dramatic effect AND because I'm so tickled with the look!~

So here it is, and for me, this sample is a real milestone, because NOW I'm ready to go on to REAL fabric in a sample I fully intend to be able to use for show. Now the REAL fun begins!