Why are You Cutting Strips?

Have you been busy cutting strips? 

Are you getting ready to sew an amazing new quilt top?  

I, too, have been cutting fabric strips. 

Strips and more strips. 

But these strips were not for another quilting project

 but for braiding a fun and colorful purse. 

The pink and blue vivid, graphic fabric is a diva in itself

 but comes in second to the chunky pink yarn I have incorporated in this bag.

A little bling on the center and strap provides a finishing touch.

And on I went........

For this second bag, I've used a eye-catching purple print 

with a never-shy chartreuse print.

I've also added a chunky yarn in this bag.

In the detail, you can see the braided strap attached with a bold button.

This bags are showy and are certain to take center stage.

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Is There a Penalty for Working on Too Many Projects at Once?

When you get creative, does it hit you a bit at a time? Or does it come? POW, SMASH YOU IN THE FACE POWERFUL?

How many projects can successfully be managed at one time?

I started out with a lovely hand-dyed scarf that I chose to embellish (check out The Art Quilt Blog for details.) This led to an idea for a quilt using the scarf. After finding fabric selections, they divided themselves into, not one, but two quilt ideas.

Now, not only is my design wall but my floor is covered with fabric, some of which is cut and starting to take shape.

The fabric search led to one pile of fabrics (put together but never used for a long forgotten project) that had more than I now need. My mind flies, of course. What can I do with the left-overs?

The next thing I'm doing is cutting this left-over fabric into strips. Out comes more stash fabric. It is getting a little hard to see the floor now as I step carefully across the room.

Oh no, now some of my left-overs have morphed into a second project.

Well, I really have to run now. My projects are shouting!!

Linked to The Art Quilt Blog

Off the Wall Fridays

From Strips to Tote

While the pressing, cutting and stitching were relaxing and enjoyable, now it's time to create.

By dividing my strips into color families, I made red, green and blue braiding strips. 

It is fun to see the random patterns that develop as I braid the strips together. 

Wow, where did all these fabrics come from? 

Some were old favorites that I'm happy to have leave my stash. Some of the fabrics are more current favorites that still brighten my day. Together they work to create a colorful bag.

I love the serendipity of the braids as I lace them together.

Row after row is added until I reach a desirable size.

The ends of the braids are encased in a binding similar to how I would finish the edge of my quilts.  It is so satisfying to see the ragged, stringy edges disappear and a smooth, neat edge appear.

Just in time, my new braided tote ready for use.  

The weather is cooling and this will be a perfect match for my warmer coat. Red, of course!

Instructions for a similar tote are in my book,  

"Designer Bags and Totes" available through Herrschners.

Linked to The Art Quilt Blog

Linked to Off the Wall Fridays

On the Straight and Narrow

If you would follow me around for a day, you would see how well I travel in a straight line, keeping to my day's plan and my thoughts in focus.

OK, so that's a bit of a stretch. Most of the time, I keep my balance by jumping from one project to the next. With that in mind, my green scrap project has temporarily been laid aside.

This week, I want to share a braided bag which I made from a black dressmaker's fabric.  (Yes, there are a few larger pieces of fabric in my stash.) The fabric has a woven pattern which made interesting highlights when braided.

I know bags as big as suitcases are popular now but I wanted a small bag to tuck under my arm at special events.  This petite bag, 5" x 8", is just large enough for a few essential items like the all-important business cards.

For the skinny strap, I braided two strands of rattail cord and one decorative cord.

This made a sturdy, yet showy, strap.

The strap was woven into the top of the bag and secured with machine stitching.

Side trip complete, I'm  now back to the sewing machine and stitching more green scraps.

PS. You can find ideas for braided bags in my book, Braidcraft Designer Bags and Totes, available from Herrschners, Inc.

Spring is in the Bag

Braided Spring Bag

8" x 12"

© 2013 Sharon V. Rotz

It's time for me to put away the drab and carry a perky new bag.

I had fun choosing fabrics for this bright and cheery bag. 

Because the colors show more than the fabric print, this is a great way to use fabrics in a different way.  Will you choose a dramatic print, a hand-dyed solid, a subtle print or a combination of all three?

The print can add a lot of variety depending on how the fabric was cut.

A combination of three green fabrics creates a softer charm.

The solid fabric became more dramatic with the addition of a green yarn braided in.

Come on Spring. Is this what you have been waiting for?  I'm ready!

Techniques for for this bag and similar braided bags can be found in my book 

"Braidcraft, Designer Bags and Totes" 

and can be purchased through Herrschners, Inc.

Fabric Strips into Colorful Braids

This week turned into Kid's Camp and we had fun braiding fabric strips into colorful braids for mug rugs, placemats or lovely hair extensions.

The real question is...

Was it more fun to rip the fabric into strips 

or 

to braid the strips?

I don't know about the kids but........... I love to hear that ripping fabric!

Braid the Perfect Accessory

"Night on the Town" Clutch

Approximately 7" x 10"

©Sharon V. Rotz

They say the perfect bag completes the look. You can create that perfect bag to compliment a special occasion wardrobe. With proms, weddings and other special evenings in the spring forecast, you can braid, yes, braid this fast and easy clutch purse using matching or coordinating dress fabric. Perhaps it will be made for you or perhaps you are thinking this would be a lovely gift for a daughter's first prom, the bride-to-be, the wedding party, or just a special friend.

I would love to guide you through the process of braiding your "Night on the Town" clutch. Join me at the Herrschner's Retail Store in Stevens Point, Wisconsin on March 12 and 19. I will be teaching the techniques in two class sessions from 1:00-4:00.

For those of you who can't attend, I will miss meeting you and hearing your stories. You can find instructions for the "Night on the Town" clutch and other bags in my book, Braidcraft, Designer Bags and Totes, available through Herrschers, Inc.

Where Are These Fabrics Headed?

I couldn't wait to combine these fabrics into a colorful autumn bag.

Start with one strip on each fabric, and braid them together.

After you have several braids, they can be joined together into a bag.

The top of the braids were bound with a strip of fabric in the same way that my quilt edges are finished.  Stitch to the front of the bag, fold over the edge and hand stitch on the back, in this case, the inside of the bag.

A long strap was made for the bag and two short tabs were made to attach the strap to the bag.

More ideas for braided bags can be found in my book, Designer Bags and Totes, available through Herrschners. Pictured is the Mag Bag, a great size for your favorite magazines or e-reader.

Are you on the Go?

Braid Craft - Mag Bag

12" x12"

©2012 Sharon V. Rotz

Are you organized and ready to go at the drop of a hat? Today I would like to share a braided bag that is just the right size for your favorite magazines or e-reader. It combines three fabrics, which are cut into strips and braided together. A color coordinated yarn is inserted in the braid to add a playful, textural detail.

The Mag Bag is one of my designs from Braid Craft Designer Bags and Totes. The book and the braidcrafting tools are available through Herrschners, Inc.

From Braiding Hair to Braiding Bags

I am excited to share my newest designs for braiding, not hairstyles, but Designer Bags and Totes.  

Learn how to use simple fabric braids, in this case with a stand of yarn added in,

coil them into shape,

and create a trendy fashion bag ready for a special outing.

Shown is "Night on the Town".

The book and braidcrafting tools are available through Herrschners, Inc.