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Post by tracey on Nov 16, 2016 20:19:54 GMT
Dumb question alert! I am enjoying looking at a blog by Deborah from Felters Journey. Making a tall felted tote bag, she says it had many resists, main, pocket and also 'one taped to the bottom for a wide base'. This bottom one helps it to stand upright alone. My question is, does the bag base resist stay permanently in situ? Is it just a felted covered resist that does not get cut open, and it adds strength?
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Post by jwugg on Nov 16, 2016 20:29:28 GMT
I don't think so, I have seen (but not made) bags with a bottom 'flange', an extra oval shape felted along with the main resist, to make the bottom wider. I have seen a couple of tutorials with these. The hard bit is wrapping evenly where the extra flange meets the main part so you don't get holes.
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Post by tracey on Nov 16, 2016 20:46:29 GMT
Yes there is a picture of an oval piece of felting on the blog, what threw me was when she said she added an extra resist piece to form a gusset.
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Post by MTRuth on Nov 16, 2016 22:18:05 GMT
I agree with Jill, the part taped to the bottom adds the depth that you need. Allows the felt to form a bigger base.
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Post by Shepherdess on Nov 17, 2016 2:31:56 GMT
I have seen it done with just a very round bottom. like a half circle where the bottom will be so there is enough fabric to make a flat base when its opened up and made round. you can also make a folding flange so you get even more space. You need to use plastic to cover it so it doesn't stick to another part when folded flat for rolling
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Post by tracey on Nov 17, 2016 17:42:26 GMT
Thanks everyone for the comments. This addiction definitely keeps the old brain active!
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Post by zed on Nov 18, 2016 11:46:21 GMT
You're right there, Tracey, you have to think inside out and convert 3D to flat shapes, and I bet none of us use any fancy programs to do it!
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Post by elizabeth on Nov 18, 2016 15:32:59 GMT
Dumb question alert! I am enjoying looking at a blog by Deborah from Felters Journey. Making a tall felted tote bag, she says it had many resists, main, pocket and also 'one taped to the bottom for a wide base'. This bottom one helps it to stand upright alone. My question is, does the bag base resist stay permanently in situ? Is it just a felted covered resist that does not get cut open, and it adds strength? Tracey, I can't find that blog entry. Would it be possible to post it? I'm quite interested.
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Post by halay on Nov 18, 2016 18:40:28 GMT
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Post by tracey on Nov 18, 2016 19:17:49 GMT
You're right there, Tracey, you have to think inside out and convert 3D to flat shapes, and I bet none of us use any fancy programs to do it! Ooh no Zed, I don't use fancy programmes, I am not that techie!
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Post by tracey on Nov 18, 2016 19:43:05 GMT
Thanks very much for that Nada. I am glad you said you had tried this with good results, a picture puzzler to keep the brain cells active! I have nearly finished a 'bucket' bag. The bottom sort of sits flat and wide of it's own accord, but I am wondering whether to add a felted extra hard bottom to it. This would have to be taped in. Is this a silly idea? Is a bag nicer totally felted with no add ins of say a plastic, even if it is covered with felt? Anyway I will post pics soon, and guess what?....no flowers this time!
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Post by elizabeth on Nov 18, 2016 20:45:17 GMT
I know there have been posts and threads about what kind of fiber to use for bags. I thought I'd comment about my experience with a felted bag. I purchased one before I got hooked on felting. I have no idea what the fiber is, but it pills very badly on the side that is against my body. I don't think it's felted as firmly as it could be - in fact the front flap was hardly felted and came apart. I tried needle felting it, but resorted to lining it so it would hold up. I would be very tempted to make a bag with the back side a fabric and only the front felted.
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Post by tracey on Nov 18, 2016 20:54:49 GMT
Elizabeth, you have hit the nail on the head. I can only think as wool is a natural product, pilling is inevitable. The first flower bag I made pills after use, as it rubs against my clothing. I give it a shave, next to nothing comes off but it looks better. Luckily mine isn't falling apart too! As I want to sell my wares eventually, I am wondering whether I should mention this to customers, as I would hate them to be disappointed when the pilling starts. What do you all think please?
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Post by MTRuth on Nov 18, 2016 22:19:45 GMT
The harder you felt, the less pilling you get but all wool pills. You can add fabric (nuno) to the surface and that does help keep the pilling too a minimum.
In regards to the bottom, I think an extra layer of felt would be fine. I would consider gluing instead of taping. There are several different kinds of fabric glue that would work. Some people like to line their bags but that is another extra step to consider.
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Post by elizabeth on Nov 18, 2016 22:52:45 GMT
I believe that I have read that some people have applied a fabric stiffener to the wet felt to protect it. I did that on the bag mentioned above and it's definitely noticeable. Since it was for my own use I didn't care - I also applied it after much pilling so it didn't start from a good place.
In all honesty, I expect that felted bags will last as long and look as nice as most leather bags - at least those costing less than hundreds of dollars.
Disclaimer - I am not a 'bag person'. I only swap bags for summer & winter and I have very few. My price point is quite low, also. That means that I may not be a typical purchaser of bags.
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