Designer’s Blog Link for more design info as well as additional photos of bag including zipper casing.

A FEW NOTES ON FINISHING:

Fisrt, be prepared for a little seaming, mostly just the sides, and then attaching the zipper. Don’t try to use a provisional cast on as you will have difficulty attaching the strap and strap carriers to the sides of the bag.

ZIPPER CASING

In the original I used a sewing machine to apply the zipper to the zipper casing, I found that this gave a very nice even stitching and after all that work the bag really deserved a perfect finish. There are limited views in the Magazine but there are additional views of the bag on my blog located here.

For a perfect zipper casing application get some 505 spray (temporary adhesive spray used in sewing) I suppose you could substitute with a little acid free glue stick if you really wanted to but I would wash it with vigour after the sewing was completed.

1. Using a hot iron on a cotton setting ( obviously this setting changes if you are using a different fibre) gently press the zipper casing with a great deal of steam to help it relax. This can also be blocked if you are lacking said iron.

2. Using some scrap paper block off the actual moving gear mechanism of the zipper and spray some 505 around the bias tape edging of the zipper. This may take some paper maneuvering but it is well worth it, I wouldn’t recommend spraying the casing because any excess spray can be a pain to deal with.

3. Position the casing over the zipper and press firmly, this adhesive helps to eliminate the need for pinning which can cause ripples in zipper application if not done really carefully and it helps the knitted fabric not to stretch when you are sewing it. As the only strain on this zipper will be the opening and closing of it (the bag straps are quite independent) you could carefully hand sew it and be fine. I used my sewing machine for an even stitch and perfect spacing.

4. Now the casing can be sewn in to the bag, I recommend pinning it at the corners to block out where it should end up, it is so easy to start seaming and miss the mark.

You will also need to make a lining for this bag out of some woven material, I used a fantastic lime green linen. So you may want to borrow a friends sewing machine or ask for help from someone who owns one. The lining is very important as the bag will lose it’s ruffles as soon as you start filling it up, also it will stretch terribly.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions and I will get back to you!