Whew! It was a wild and wooly weekend out here in Kansas, thanks to some sweeping storm fronts and the anticipation and anxiety they bring with them. It’s not that I don’t like a good thunderstorm, but destructive weather is always worrisome in case it hits, and heart-wrenching when it does hit.
All is calm now, though, so this morning, it was time to “un-batten-down” the hatches, put everything back to rights, and get on with the week.
In the midst of other Studio Stuff – you can see my article here on the recent projects going on at the studio – I had the itch to get this little project that’s been hovering in my mind, over with.
Many of you may recall my review (here) of the Potoky Modern table stand. I’m still loving it! And from the feedback I’ve heard from those who have been able to order, many of you are, too. We receive an occasional trickle of orders as the stands are manufactured and shipped, and then I contact the people on our waiting list to let them know when they are in.
The Modern comes packaged in its own custom box, pictured above, and encased in a heavy felt bag, which is further cushioned against shipping hazards with a rolled, long strip of felt that’s doubled and sewn along the edges into a finished kind of strap.
Taken as a whole, the bag itself isn’t necessarily beautiful, nor is the long strap, but they are both very functional and they do their jobs well. They protect the stand. And they provide a nice, eco-friendly packaging option. The felt bag is a good storage option, too, to keep the stand protected when not in use and when traveling with it.
But you know, if I’m going to have a stand that is totable, I would like its bag to be more totable and baggish.
So I took the strip that comes wrapped around the neck of the stand, and I converted it into a strap instead of a strip.
I measured in about 3″ on each end of the strip, pinned it to the side of the bag (where it fits practically perfectly), and then I hand-sewed the strip onto the felt bag.
I just used a double weight of black sewing thread, because that’s what I had. I hand sewed using a backstitch.
As I mentioned, the strap is long – quite long – and it makes for a very long-strapped bag that can be easily flung over the shoulder, or carried cross-body. Picture yourself toting all your stitching stuff to a workshop or seminar, or checking into a hotel with a your luggage and extra bags, or perhaps hiking out to your remote favorite stitching spot. Fling your stand bag over your shoulder, and it’s perfectly portable.
With the straps sewn on, I can now comfortably tote the stand wherever we may ever go together.
I’m not finished with it yet, though, and you probably already have figured that out. You see, what’s a felt bag with a long strap, but a perfect ground for some fun needlework?
I plan to embroider this bag and its strap.
You can see in the photo above that the felt the bag is constructed from is relatively thick.
I love embroidering thick felted items. You’ve seen me do it before, as a matter of fact. These mittens and these mittens. These felted hearts, and these felted eggs.
Felted fabric and felted items just make a great ground for embellishment.
I figure this bag is fair game for whatever I want to stitch on it.
It just so happens I have a gargantuan amount of DMC perle cotton that I don’t use for much – occasional stitch tutorials and sometimes for finishing (cords and twists). I don’t embroider with it often, though.
I think it would work quite well on the felt that this bag is constructed from.
So that’s what I’m going to do!
Eventually, that is. This isn’t going to be done in a hurry, that’s for sure. It’s a project for casual stitching, outside of the normal course of workish stitching.
But as usual, I’ll keep you posted on what I do with it, and what materializes. If I run into problems, I’ll troubleshoot them with you, too!
So that’s my current “nothing serious, let’s see how it works out” stitching project.
Gosh, I know how to have fun!
Hope your week is plowing along splendidly, and if you were recently in Nature’s stormy path, I do hope you weathered the recent storms well!
Hi Mary, I’m excited to see such a great “canvas” to work on! Why not consider some needle felting on the bag or strap! It’s thick and sturdy, would make a great surface for some cute needle felted designs. I learned to needle felt when I purchased a little kit from you, some time ago. It was a sheep from Bear Creek. Fell in love with the process even more than embroidery.
(PS I love reading your newsletter!)
That’s a great idea! And I think I have most of the supplies…. Maybe a mix of both!
I ordered a stand and simply LOVE it as well. Using that long piece of heavy felt as a strap is a GREAT idea, and I am going to take your advice on making a strap. However, I have a “thing” for buttons also. So, since the strap is SO LONG, I cut off about 5″ and put a button hole in BOTH sides and added buttons on TOP of the opening. I am really a klutz, and could see the beautifully made wooden stand falling out easily. As you mentioned, when not in use, I simply hang it in a closet, and by adding the 2nd piece (you can make it simpler by just attaching it on one side and snapping the other) I feel better about grabbing it. Funny, never thought about making it prettier – so taking your advise and adding some embroidered favorite fabric (from my mother’s clothers, saved after she passed for flowers). She is always with me. LOVE your site and appreciate your product suggestions. STAY SAFE in Kansas!!
I plan to add a button as well – I was thinking a button with a loop closure across the top. We’ll see!!
What timing! I’ll be able to pick up some tips from you while working on my own felt project. I machine felted a large panel of crochet intending to make mittens but the felted fabric was much too thick so I decided on a wall hanging. I already have an extra large felted crochet tote I made a couple of years ago that I use for craft shopping, now you’ve given me new ideas on how to take my craft on the road!
The tapestry is a very eclectic project. I’m cobbling together all my favorite embroidery styles — Elizabethan, Jacobean, Mountmellick, and bead — and probably a few more yet decided. I’m trying wool appliqué for the first time and incorporating pieces of Irish crochet I made. I guess it’s a slow stitch project since I’m making it up as I go along using both old and new materials. The only definite is the Tree of Life centerpiece I’m currently working. So far I’m really enjoying the creative process. Happy Stitching!!
Maybe you would be interested in donating some of that pearl cotton ? I am quite envious! I just started embroidery again, which i have not done since high school.
I just found your website and I am enjoying your posts. Been looking for books on embroidery in used book sales, but this website is even better ! I a lot of posts to go thru, thank you!