Planning Sewing Projects

Planning Sewing Projects

I’m sure I’ve said it before, but planning a project – doesn’t seem to matter what kind – always takes at least twice as long as you imagine! I’ve been trying to match felt with backing fabric, zips and cords for small zipped bags or shoulder bags. Sometimes it seems straightforward. I cut a piece of felt in half and found a piece of fabric to match. I thought this piece would make a nice bag, so matched some cord too:

I used the same fabric for the other half of the felt piece. I think I’ll add a zip to this, but don’t have one to match yet:

The fabric seems perfect for both pieces of the felt. But when I was moving things around, I placed the pieces next to each other differently and suddenly they didn’t seem to match!

Luckily I’ve got these photos to refer back to, though the pieces won’t actually be next to each other on the finished bag. I thought I’d found the perfect combo of backing fabric, felt, zip and cord for the next bag project:

I’m not quite so sure when I put the zip and cord on the back of the felt, but let me know what you think?

These two pieces don’t seem to match, but put together, I quite like them:

I had some fabric with purple in it, the piece wasn’t right, but putting it close to the felt made me think I might need something more purple:

When I was looking through my fabric pieces, I found some upholstery samples I got a while ago:

These ones either look like ink stains, or birds on a branch, it changes each time I look!

I’m not sure I have the exact fabrics I need yet, which can only mean a trip to the fabric shop is well needed 🙂

9 thoughts on “Planning Sewing Projects

  1. Loving your eye for colour combo, Zed! Those oranges particularly, they look so good together (even after you said they no longer seemed to match, they do to me) 🙂

    1. Thanks, Leonor 🙂
      I think I was getting a bit hung up on similar colours rather than ‘matching’!

  2. Agree with Leonor – the oranges look great together! Yes, the planning and prep often takes longer than you think it will doesn’t it?
    The pinks really do go together – go for it.
    Love the ‘birds on a branch’ fabric and it would look good with some of your naturals felt.

    1. Thanks, Lyn 🙂
      I hadn’t thought about the birds with naturals, that’s a good call! I looked at the sizes of them again though, and taking into consideration seams etc, they might be too small for anything.

  3. I think your color combos are all wonderful. And I do love the birds on a branch fabric. But a trip to the fabric store seems like a good idea too 🙂

    1. Thanks, Ruth 🙂
      Yeah, you can’t take risks, best to have a variety to choose from 😉

  4. I agree with everyone, the matching is great. You have an eye for even though you may not think so. It’s always nice to have an excuse to fabric shop. Have fun!

  5. Gosh you are exacting! I was drawn to your colour combinations instantly and then was really surprised when you wavered. I rarely get an exact match for a zip so often choose a total contrast colour. You have sent me back to some of my projects with a fresh eye.

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