Have you ever run across something on the internet that was just totally gorgeous, totally YOU and then you find out your live 1200 miles from where the classes on how to make them are being taught?
Happens to me frequently or the cost of the item is too high and I am thankful not to have the temptation. Couple weeks ago I was looking at lovely woven purses with dangles and photos, jewelry and handmade tags, they were gorgeous! Made from ribbons, somewhat loosely woven with fabrics and fibers that were just to die 4! AND, I could actually take the class half and hour from my home.
I'd love to show the photos but that wouldn't be right as I am sure they are copyrighted.
Of course I wanted to learn how to make them, really bad I wanted to learn. So I checked to see how much the class was...$60. Hmm.... Now I am a tightwad from 2001 and no way was I parting with that sum of cash...so I began wondering why they looked so familiar and yet obviously an art form with a twist for Today.
Then it hit me!
A Flash Back from 6th grade. We made things with the same basic format. Now to figure out the weaving loom and pull out all those fabrics from the thrift store, pretty doilies and other items I had saved for years cause I couldn't bring myself to throw them away.
I was thinking of all sorts of things shapes, usefulness-es, and after a few hours of trial and error with the first loom and a few more hours of enjoyment, I had made my first bag!
A beautiful crochet dresser scarf provided the covering and a wooden bead from on of my mom's purses (from WAY back) provided the perfect closure!
Now, I am NOT a crochet person. I know enough to get by with no one looking. But, I managed to link up the edges of the dresser scarf and chain stitch it to the woven area on the back. Look hard and you can see it isn't even, but doesn't bother me one bit.
I've pulled some beaded embroidery work to go on it and will add a hook for my keys. I want to add a few other items and fibers but for now a handle...
I wove it pretty tight so nothing could possibly fall out. Also I'll plan to leave more dangling fabrics on my next purse...here is a look at the inside
Before I could add other items I wanted to make a cell phone carrier which morphed into a Mini-Bag and then another idea I just had to try out and now I am working on a camera case. Oh, and I made my mom a cell phone carrier as she is always leaving it in her robe or in the other room. Hers has a hook for her keys and a long strap allowing her to carry it everywhere. It took a couple hours to make that, the longest time was putting the blanket stitch over the strap as she likes a more finished look.
Well more to show later, I've been dying to start on the cell phone case!
I'll make complete instructions on how to make the loom, drawings to go by, how to get your loom ready for weaving and the tools you may want to make or purchase to help you along the way. I'll place them in a PDF file and make them available for a nominal fee so you can Get Your Weave On! FAR less than $60 bucks!
So go through your craft drawers and cabinets, pull out those bits of fabric you couldn't bare to throw away cause you can use them to Get Your Weave On!
Details coming soon,
Melissa
