'Lucy Bag' - 'Ta Dah'

Lining Stitched in place, very 'Flower Power'.  I found this quite a challenge, but I received some good advice and help via blog comments and on Ravelry. 

Straps sewn on.  I think these would make great guitar straps.

Blue Shell edging and six bloomin flowers sewn into place.  I couldn't just settle for four flowers, it seemed to be crying out for six.  Flowers are really fun to crochet aren't they?  Possibly a bit addictive, especially if you are trying to avoid sewing in lining or housework.

This bag is perfect for my hols as it could hold the kitchen sink!  I did use a plastic 'canvas' insert that was sourced and sent to me by Gingerbread Girl to alieviate my saggy bottom. Thank you Carole you were very patient with me and a great facilitator helping me with written explanations, photographs and then diagrams for my stitchery challenged brain.  Carole is a busy Mom to four children, she writes an inspirational blog and still found time to help me.  Blogland never ceases to amaze me along with the kindness of other crafters who are willing to pitch in, help, motivate and encourage each other.

I finished sewing the lining into place just after midnight.  There was an old Ewan Mcgregor movie on TV 'The Island'.  I wasn't impressed.  Thankfully I finished sewing and didn't suffer the entire film.

This morning I boinged out of bed to photograph my bag in all it's lovliness to share with the world!  Not a 'saggy bottom' in sight!  Is there?

The Battle of the Crochet 'Lucy' Bag WIP

I last showed this in May.  It is my 'Lucy' bag from 'Attic 24'.  Yes it is still a 'Work In Progress'.  There are hundreds of these bags on the net that people have made, completed and lined beautifully.  I have been battling with mine for what seems like an age.

This is how I left it at something past midnight last night.  I didn't pack it away as the lining is all pinned out.  It still needs unpinning and pinning out again.  I am going to try a running stitch tack to get the rectangular side to fit the circular base.  Does that sound like a plan?  Oh I wish I had paid more attention in sewing classes at school, but to be honest I was frightened of the machines, once I had broken a needle or two.  I still don't know how I managed to do that.  I made an unfinished skirt, where I had cut the pattern out wrong, so all the will in the world wouldn't make it fit together.  In woodwork I used to break the saw blades often too!  I only made a letter rack.   I will be hand sewing this.  The completion feels so near yet so far!

I have used the waste paper bin and an upturned washing up bowl as a spare pair of hands.  I obviously don't think with a sewing brain, because there must be an easier way to line this bag.  I have read tutorials and looked at lots of other examples, yet I am still having a mental block.  I hope when it finally gets it's 'Ta Dah' moment you will join me and raise a glass in celebration.  I think it is going to look like an eight year old has lined it and there are probably eight year olds that could do a better job of it.

These pretties are waiting for their new home!  Everyday for the last three days I have thought 'today is the day I will finish the bag!'   'Maybe today will be the day I finish the bag!'

Saggy Bottom - Advice Needed Please

This is one of my current 'Work in Progress' projects.  An Attic 24 style Crochet Bag.  It is very colourful and will be perfect for 'Summer Glamping'.  There is just one problem, it has a rather saggy bottom.  Do you think this will sort itself out?  If you have ever made one or something similar I would be grateful for some advice/reassurance.  I intend to use cotton to line it when it is finished but I think the bottom may sag away from the lining.  I cannot possibly go Glamping with a saggy bottom.  Your advice would be appreciated thank you. 

'Ta-Dah' Meadowsweet Granny Stripe

This is my first Attic 24 inspired blanket, I have crocheted plenty of Granny Squares and Granny Stripes in the past but had never seen such lovely colourful blankets as those on Attic 24.  When my work colleague found out she was expecting a baby I was delighted for her and knew I wanted to make something special.  She has had a baby girl, called Imogen, so this is Imogen's blanket.  I am thrilled for my friend but I so miss her at work as it just isn't the same without her!  I have only just completed the 'Blankie' so I have not handed it over yet, I can't wait too.  I don't actually like holding other peoples babies, I like a little look and then I would rather chin wag with the new Mom and see what I can do to help out...washing up, making a cup of tea etc...It will be lovely to catch up and meet Imogen.

I made this with a 'Lucy Pack' of Stylecraft.  I am hopeless at choosing and co-ordinating colours, it was somewhat of a random selection, but I wanted more pinks than any other colour.  I also decided to be a bit experimental and break each row with the Meadow green colour.  I worked it in two rows of Granny stripe, followed by one row of double crochet in Meadow Green.  The three row pattern meant that there was no right or wrong side, and the rows of double crochet appeared in thin and slightly thicker alternate stripes.  I quite like the effect.  I think these blankets are like our children 'We all love our own!'  

I thought long and hard about edging, I wondered about a frilly shell pattern, plain meadow double crochet, I love the Tutorial on 'Crochet with Raymond' for the neat little zig zag edge.

Crochet with Raymond - Tutorial for 'Carnival Edge'

Then I looked at Teresa's edging, I loved the idea of Tulips, grass and sky.  How Arty for a granny stripe.

  

Teresa's 'Tulips, grass and sky' edging   

I chose the carnival edging and my six year old son approved and complemented the work in progress.  I nearly frogged it many times, as I was unsure of the the wonky zig zags, but resolved to keep going and try blocking, I have never blocked anything before. 

I wondered should I have just kept a plain edge or should I have gone for a shell edge...I decided you could ponder it for ever, so stuck with the 'carnival' zig zags.   I bought a packet of 200 pins for the blocking job and ran out!   It has taken all day to dry on top of the washing line in some warm sunshine.  I am now feeling underwhelmed by the finished article, it is a bit of an anti-climax.  I am trying not to be disappointed and I don't have the heart to frog the edge now and try to make myself happier with it.  It is pretty just not quite what I hoped for. 

It may be a while before I Granny stripe again and even longer before I try 'carnival edging'.  I think 'Carnival edging' would be great for smaller projects.  Not quite the Triumphant 'Ta-dah' moment I had anticipated.   :)