Painted Canvas bag with zipper and 4-strand leather braid zipper pull
This canvas zipper pouch began as a way to save every drop of liquid pigment applied to another fabric. It went through the ugly stage as art often does. Even after applying acrylic paint to save it from doom, my vision was to add thread embellishment. But here -without machine stitching – is the Circle-Purple Pouch with process photos: Continue reading
Sometimes the beginnings are simply the availability of materials. I hate to waste! This paint is on my home office walls but it does not look like this at all. Color can be such a mystery. It is a dark blue but it usually looks green. (I do love green but it was not my intention. I will repaint when my home project list shortens up a bit. You didn’t expect an artist to have a clean sink, did you?)
I soaked the cheesecloth in diluted paint and laid it on the canvas with no expectations. I impulsively decided to use it without further development. (Seems like I said that same thing not too long ago!) I fused the canvas to high quality decorator chintz, grabbed painted blue denim for the zipper top and proceeded to construct the bag. It was stiff and difficult to work with but I switched to my trusty old commercial Bernina and all went well. 
I consulted my salvage drawer for cords and found some I had saved from fabric sample books. I couldn’t quite remember how to do a 4-strand braid. The braid book – although beautiful – required a bit more concentration than I was willing for. So I did a quick internet search and made notes on my hand as to which strand went where. I can remember it for awhile again.
Braiding the zipper pulls -Second strand over first, 3 over 4, 2 over 3. That’s how it goes!
At last, after machine troubles and ……..not too many brain troubles!….is the bag that came to mind inspired by the roll of old fence wire (previous post ‘First Snow’). Canvas was seamed to fit around a plastic pipe fitting, as I wanted the line of color to be continuous. It is wrapped with twine from my upholstery supply cabinet. This is a Shibori technique.(Certainly not an example of how beautiful Shibori can be but it suited my purpose.)
I then applied pigment with brush and let it set while I went to the dentist the next day. Back in the studio, I was eager to unwrap and view. I considered cutting into two pieces, then realized it still lacked the look I wanted. So I stitched continuously around the canvas tube. I love the ‘Slinky’ look! I then raided my vintage tin and found just the right button for the inner pocket tab. I sewed tabs for grommets, stitched a cotton lining with zipper pocket and large button tab pocket.
Available in my Etsy Shop.
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Tagged art2carry, bucket bag, canvas, cotton canvas bag, country life, fiber art, inspiration, natural, nature, observing, original bags, rural life, sewing, shibori, snow, spiral, stitching, textile art, tote bag, wire roll
Sew Path 