Tag Archives: large utility bag

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!