New bag, but I regret it! Any ideas?

[pamd]

So, I made this wonderful flat felt piece that I loved. Machine embroidered parts and cut through some layers (whatever you call that) on the leaves to reveal colors underneath. I liked the way it looked, so stopped.
leafbag3 by pamd8, on Flickr

Should have stayed there, but I decided to make a great messenger bag out of it, try something new! Thus the pics below.

leafbag by pamd8, on Flickr

leafbag2 by pamd8, on Flickr

What a mess! I used the chain stitch around the edge on the back - hate it!
The sides, bottom and strap of the purse is just a long black felted piece sewed to the back and front - hate it!

Oh, and by the way, after sewing the strap on, stitched twice for strength, discovered that I had the strap twisted - oh, joy. I must have checked that 30-11 times and still got it twisted. Okay, that I can fix simply by cutting it and piecing it back together or, second idea, putting a piece of felt over the strap, like a shoulder pad, and twisting it correctly before adding that piece to it (hope that made sense). Anyway, I'm really disappointed that I have ruined this flat felt that I really loved!!!

Any ideas? I'm seriously thinking of taking it all apart.

[Shepherdess]

Well I would just unpick everything. I think it would be worth the effort. I think the stitching you did to put it together is not the right one for the lovely felt you made. The style of stitching a bag together is very rustic and primitive. I would do it so the seam is on the inside, sewing wrong sides together and turning it right side out. very frustrating with the handle. we have all done something similar.

If unpicking it is something you are not willing to do then you could trim the edge and make a long strip of felt and cover the stitching like a bias tape edge. maybe make a shoulder pad piece you can put over the strap. Then you can put the twist inside the cover.

[zed]

I'm not sure I follow exactly how you put it together and what you don't like, so sorry if I've misunderstood.
Did you sew it together using chain stitch? If you don't like the chain stitch, then I'd unpick it. Personally, I'd make a piece for the front similar to the back/flap and add it to the front. That felt is gorgeous

[pamd]

Thanks, Ann, for your advice. I really appreciate it.

Sorry, Zed, I guess I wasn't very clear. I machine stitched the front to the side/bottom/strap panel, stitching it twice to make the seam extra strong, then machine stitched the back panel to the side/bottom/strap panel, again stitching it twice to make it stronger. The chain stitch is really just decorative and can easily be removed, but before I start taking stitches (chain and machine) out I thought I needed opinions other than my own - which is obviously quite flawed.

[MTRuth]

So what do you hate about it exactly? Is it the seams? Do you hate the bag all together or just the chain stitch around the back? Was the chain stitch used to cover up the machine stitched line? I think Ann's idea of putting the seams on the inside would make it look more finished. The stenciled effect you got with the cut out leaves is wonderful and I love the colors. And your opinion is not flawed, the project just didn't come out quite as you expected. That happens to me all the time.

[pamd]

Thanks, Ruth. Yes, the chain stitch was to cover over the machine stitching. What do I hate? I think everything. I hate the black sides as they are too wide, I think, and perhaps I don't really like the black. I hate the ragged edges that I thought I would like. Ann may have it right and I need to take the whole thing apart, but I really don't want another envelope type bag, so.......put it aside until my frustration subsides and keep listening to advice before doing anything, I think.

[MTRuth]

You could perhaps cut very carefully along the seams so you have your leaf felt back without too much damage. That would take less time than unpicking stitching.

[pamd]

Okay, I lied. I just took it all apart. Not sure what to do with it now.

[lyn]

Pam - that's a beautiful piece of felt.

Put it away for a few days until you cool down, then get it out and re-think.

[MTRuth]

Maybe you should just wait and it will eventually tell you what it wants to be when it grows up

[Shepherdess]

I agree put it away for a while. It is a wonderful piece of felt. I love the way you did the leaves.

[zed]

Sorry, I do understand now, Pam.
I would have agreed with Ann about inside seems, but still would have suggested making a similar front panel. I think the black mid part/strap sounds good.

I very rarely use my felt soon after making it.

[Shepherdess]

if you want the front plain I personally would go with a different colour, maybe mottled greens like the bottom on the back?

[pamd]

Thanks, everyone. Actually this piece has been sitting around for quite a while, but I guess it can sit around longer. Oh, well.

[MTRuth]

I think it could stand on it's own as a wall hanging. Just add a hanging device.