This will be shipped to my mother.
Soft & Stable definitely maintains the shape of the bag.
April 30, 2015
Completed Recycled Kimono Weekend Duffel Bag #2
着物リサイクル旅行かばん第２号完成。前回のと全く同じ。写真も見た目ほぼ同じ。
Duffel bag from my mother's vintage kimono version 2. Almost exactly the same as the last one.
This will be shipped to my mother.
Soft & Stable definitely maintains the shape of the bag.
This will be shipped to my mother.
Soft & Stable definitely maintains the shape of the bag.
April 29, 2015
Weekend Duffel: Handle Grip
着物リサイクル旅行かばん製作過程の最後は持ち手部分。
というか、この過程は持ち手をかばんに接続する前の段階で縫いつけたほうがいいと思うんだよね。作り方の順序、間違ってると思うんだよね。
だって最後にグリップ部分を持ち手につけるということは、かばんが邪魔になってとても縫いずらいということなんだよね。
Yup, this happens if you attempt to attach a handle grip on the duffel bag after the main body is constructed. Because of the plastic canvas inserted into the bottom panel, I cannot bend the bag and put it under the arm.
This is why I think the instruction is amateurish. The handle grip and the square ring should have been attached to the handle strap before you insert the square rings to the lower strap.
I thought of changing the handle grip design but I kind of got tired of this project and wanted to finish so I just used the same one as the instruction.
If I ever make another bag (despite the amateurish instruction, I like the size and the design of this bag), I would make a movable handle grip so that the handle strap goes through the strap instead of sewn on to it.
というか、この過程は持ち手をかばんに接続する前の段階で縫いつけたほうがいいと思うんだよね。作り方の順序、間違ってると思うんだよね。
だって最後にグリップ部分を持ち手につけるということは、かばんが邪魔になってとても縫いずらいということなんだよね。
This is why I think the instruction is amateurish. The handle grip and the square ring should have been attached to the handle strap before you insert the square rings to the lower strap.
I thought of changing the handle grip design but I kind of got tired of this project and wanted to finish so I just used the same one as the instruction.
If I ever make another bag (despite the amateurish instruction, I like the size and the design of this bag), I would make a movable handle grip so that the handle strap goes through the strap instead of sewn on to it.
April 28, 2015
Waiting for a Walk
久しぶりのツーショットですね。
散歩前の様子です。私が靴を履いて散歩紐を持ってくる間、おとなしく座って待ってる練習。
散歩に行けるのがうれしすぎておとなしく座っていられないのが現実。
Practicing a sit-stay while I put my put my shoes on and grab their leashes before a walk.
散歩前の様子です。私が靴を履いて散歩紐を持ってくる間、おとなしく座って待ってる練習。
散歩に行けるのがうれしすぎておとなしく座っていられないのが現実。
April 27, 2015
Weekend Duffel: Almost Done
やっぱり底の部分、やり直してよかった。あとは肩紐と持ち手のグリップを縫ったら完成。
I am glad I re-did the bottom panel. I attached the bottom panel and the main body together, then bound the raw edges with a satin ribbon.
I sew the satin ribbon on flat first, then hand sewed the other edge. It's going to be the inside of a fairly large bag with dark navy blue lining, so it would be hard to see, but my last attempt to attach the ribbon was such a disaster so I'm glad it went well this time.
I am almost done with the bag. All that is left is to sew the shoulder strap and a strap grip, which I may change the design a bit from the instruction...
I sew the satin ribbon on flat first, then hand sewed the other edge. It's going to be the inside of a fairly large bag with dark navy blue lining, so it would be hard to see, but my last attempt to attach the ribbon was such a disaster so I'm glad it went well this time.
I am almost done with the bag. All that is left is to sew the shoulder strap and a strap grip, which I may change the design a bit from the instruction...
April 26, 2015
Weekend Duffel Bag: Disaster Happened
かばんの底の部分とメインボディ部分を接合する作業中。
かなり布や接着芯が何十に重なる上に、立体なのでとても縫いづらいです。
縫い目を隠すのにリボンを巻いてみたんだけど、ひどい有様だったのでやり直し。
Attaching the bottom to the body of the duffel bag.
Like I did on my first one, I decided to attach the bottom panel right sides together with the main body and bound the edges.
Well, that did not go very well and the outcome was disastrous so I am ripping the ribbon off for a re-do.
かなり布や接着芯が何十に重なる上に、立体なのでとても縫いづらいです。
縫い目を隠すのにリボンを巻いてみたんだけど、ひどい有様だったのでやり直し。
Like I did on my first one, I decided to attach the bottom panel right sides together with the main body and bound the edges.
Well, that did not go very well and the outcome was disastrous so I am ripping the ribbon off for a re-do.
April 23, 2015
April 21, 2015
Back to Sewing
先週は忙しくて全く手をつけていなかったかばん作成にまたしても取り掛かりました。
前回作った旅行かばんと全く同じのをまた作っております。
前回のは練習用で、今回のが本番です。本番だから一応より丁寧に作ってるつもり。
I was too busy last week preparing for my yard sale on Saturday and did not touch my sewing machine at all. Now that the yard sale is over, back to making the weekend duffel again.
Yes, it is the exact same bag as my last one. The last one was my practice round and this one is for real. I am planning to send this one to my mother, who gave me the original kimono fabric. By the way, she says the fabric is at least 30 years old.
Last time, it was awkward to attach the handles to the square rings after the main bag was constructed three dementionally, so I changed the order of construction and attached the handles when front and back pieces were still separate, and I attached the rings to the handles first before the ring was inserted to the main body. Made it a lot easier to sew this way.
My goal is to finish the bag this week and hopefully make a matching dopp kit pouch to go with as well. Tall order?
前回作った旅行かばんと全く同じのをまた作っております。
前回のは練習用で、今回のが本番です。本番だから一応より丁寧に作ってるつもり。
Yes, it is the exact same bag as my last one. The last one was my practice round and this one is for real. I am planning to send this one to my mother, who gave me the original kimono fabric. By the way, she says the fabric is at least 30 years old.
Last time, it was awkward to attach the handles to the square rings after the main bag was constructed three dementionally, so I changed the order of construction and attached the handles when front and back pieces were still separate, and I attached the rings to the handles first before the ring was inserted to the main body. Made it a lot easier to sew this way.
My goal is to finish the bag this week and hopefully make a matching dopp kit pouch to go with as well. Tall order?
April 20, 2015
Morning Excursion
先日ガラガラヘビの威嚇にあって断念した洞窟探検に再チャレンジしてきました。
今回はガラガラヘビに会うこともなく、かなり急な山の斜面にある洞窟までたどり着けました。
洞窟と言っても、山の斜面の岩の隙間、という感じで、穴自体は何メートルかぐらいしかなかったよ。でもとても涼しかったです。
ちなみに日本では杉花粉だけど、ここ砂漠地帯ではこの黄色い花の咲くパロベルデという種類の木が花粉症保持者には要注意なのです。
花粉症の薬を朝から２倍増でのんだにもかかわらず、家に帰ってきてから頭痛いわ、涙ぼろぼろだわ、鼻水止まらないわで花粉症の襲撃にあいました。
Since we were not able to get closer to the cave because of the angry rattle snake last time, we went there again. This time, we were able to get to the cave that was on the very steep hill. Nothing of an interest there, but it was very nice and cool in the cave.
When I first moved to this desert climate, I thought I wouldn't have to worry about my pollen allergy anymore since there were no cedar trees. Well, it is actually worse, thanks to the pretty yellow flowering palo verde trees. I wasted a whole afternoon with headaches, runny nose, watery eyes afterwards.
今回はガラガラヘビに会うこともなく、かなり急な山の斜面にある洞窟までたどり着けました。
洞窟と言っても、山の斜面の岩の隙間、という感じで、穴自体は何メートルかぐらいしかなかったよ。でもとても涼しかったです。
ちなみに日本では杉花粉だけど、ここ砂漠地帯ではこの黄色い花の咲くパロベルデという種類の木が花粉症保持者には要注意なのです。
花粉症の薬を朝から２倍増でのんだにもかかわらず、家に帰ってきてから頭痛いわ、涙ぼろぼろだわ、鼻水止まらないわで花粉症の襲撃にあいました。
When I first moved to this desert climate, I thought I wouldn't have to worry about my pollen allergy anymore since there were no cedar trees. Well, it is actually worse, thanks to the pretty yellow flowering palo verde trees. I wasted a whole afternoon with headaches, runny nose, watery eyes afterwards.
April 19, 2015
Today's Harvest: Carrots Again
花壇で畑をしているお友達がいて、素人同士、お互いの花壇を眺めては情報交換をしたりします。
うちも彼も、すごい真剣に作物を育てたいわけではなく、この砂漠気候の花壇で作物が育ったらいいな～、ぐらいなものなので気楽です。
この彼は実はビールも自作していて、時々おすそ分けをもらいます。先日もらった蜂蜜酒（蜂蜜を発酵させて作るお酒）は甘くておいしかったけど、強烈にアルコール分が高くて私は即効で酔っ払いました。
そんな彼がビールの原料のホップの種をもってやってきたので、うちの花壇の片隅に、ホップ植えました！
一体ホップがどんな姿なのかとかもわからないし、大体この気候で育つのかも定かではないけど、沢山ホップが収穫できたら彼がビールにしてくれるって。楽しみが増えたわ。
ホップのお返しににんじん収穫してあげました。
A friend of ours also grows vegetables in the garden. We like to exchange information of how to grow plants and how the plants are growing in this desert climate as armatures. We are both not serious gardeners and we just enjoy our trial and errors.
He also brew his own beer. The other day, he gave us his mead. It was nice and sweet but oh boy, it has pretty high alcohol content and it knocked me down right away. (I have almost non-existent alcohol tolerance to begin with)
Anyway, he came over with some hop seeds. I don't even know how to grow hops or how they look like, but if we can cultivate enough hops, he will brew beer out of home grown hops. That's exciting.
I gave him some carrots from the garden. Yes, we still have more carrots in the ground...
うちも彼も、すごい真剣に作物を育てたいわけではなく、この砂漠気候の花壇で作物が育ったらいいな～、ぐらいなものなので気楽です。
この彼は実はビールも自作していて、時々おすそ分けをもらいます。先日もらった蜂蜜酒（蜂蜜を発酵させて作るお酒）は甘くておいしかったけど、強烈にアルコール分が高くて私は即効で酔っ払いました。
そんな彼がビールの原料のホップの種をもってやってきたので、うちの花壇の片隅に、ホップ植えました！
一体ホップがどんな姿なのかとかもわからないし、大体この気候で育つのかも定かではないけど、沢山ホップが収穫できたら彼がビールにしてくれるって。楽しみが増えたわ。
ホップのお返しににんじん収穫してあげました。
He also brew his own beer. The other day, he gave us his mead. It was nice and sweet but oh boy, it has pretty high alcohol content and it knocked me down right away. (I have almost non-existent alcohol tolerance to begin with)
Anyway, he came over with some hop seeds. I don't even know how to grow hops or how they look like, but if we can cultivate enough hops, he will brew beer out of home grown hops. That's exciting.
I gave him some carrots from the garden. Yes, we still have more carrots in the ground...
April 18, 2015
Today's Harvest: First Eggplant of the Season
今シーズン初めてのナスが採れました。３個だけだけど。
にんじん、ローズマリーとあわせておすそ分けにあげました。
ナスは二株しかないので、採れる量がとても中途半端で使いにくいのよねぇ。
Rosemary, carrots, and first eggplants of the season.
にんじん、ローズマリーとあわせておすそ分けにあげました。
ナスは二株しかないので、採れる量がとても中途半端で使いにくいのよねぇ。
April 14, 2015
Today's Harvest: Green Onions and Chinese Chives
ねぎ坊主が出来るぐらい浅葱？ワケギ？が育っていたので、刈り取りました。
ついでにニラも収穫しました。
左がニラで右がねぎ。
ニラはご飯とチーズと卵と混ぜて焼きました。
My ever growing green onions were getting a bit too overgrown so I chopped them off.
Also, the chinese chives (? garlic chives?) were in good size, so I cut them as well.
Some of the chinese chives were chopped and fried with rice, cheese, and eggs in a rice pancake style, and the rest were just chopped and went into the freezer for future use.
ついでにニラも収穫しました。
左がニラで右がねぎ。
ニラはご飯とチーズと卵と混ぜて焼きました。
Also, the chinese chives (? garlic chives?) were in good size, so I cut them as well.
Some of the chinese chives were chopped and fried with rice, cheese, and eggs in a rice pancake style, and the rest were just chopped and went into the freezer for future use.
April 13, 2015
Not Quite An Easter Bunny
我が家の花壇畑の作物は、よく何者かに食べられる。
オットはもう何度もシシトウの苗を植えてるんだけど（種から育てたり、苗を買ったり）、植えるたびに葉っぱを全部食べられて、いまだまともに育った株ゼロ。
ずっと地リスと呼ばれる体長１０センチぐらいのリスに食べられているのだと思ったら、なんと花壇にウサギの巣があることがわかりました。
去年、庭の芝生を剥いでからあまり庭でウサギを見ること無かったので、巣があること自体にびっくり。
その上、巣を発見したオットによると、その巣にはちゃんと子うさぎ２匹が住んでいたらしい。
うちの庭に住んでたら近い将来必ず犬に食べられてしまうと思うので、子ウサギは囲いのない前庭に放されました。
・・・と思ったのもつかの間、どうも２匹ともうちの庭に帰ってきてしまったらしい。
残念ながら１匹はプールで溺死（泣）しているところを発見され、もう一匹は植木鉢の裏に隠れているのを捕獲された。
激カワイイです、子ウサギ。ハムスターよりもかわいい（この大きさのままなら）。
もう帰ってくるなよ、とよく言っておきました。
We have been wondering what kind of creature was eating our garden vegetables. We always thought it was ground squirrels. Well, we found a rabbit nest in the garden, with two baby rabbits actually living in the nest.
The Man of the House found them and freed them in the front yard since we feared that the dogs would eat them if they were found.
Unfortunately, they found the way home. One of them was found drowned in the pool and the other was found hiding behind a flower pot.
The baby rabbit is uber cute. Even cuter than a hamster (if it could stay small).
I told it never to come back.
オットはもう何度もシシトウの苗を植えてるんだけど（種から育てたり、苗を買ったり）、植えるたびに葉っぱを全部食べられて、いまだまともに育った株ゼロ。
ずっと地リスと呼ばれる体長１０センチぐらいのリスに食べられているのだと思ったら、なんと花壇にウサギの巣があることがわかりました。
去年、庭の芝生を剥いでからあまり庭でウサギを見ること無かったので、巣があること自体にびっくり。
その上、巣を発見したオットによると、その巣にはちゃんと子うさぎ２匹が住んでいたらしい。
うちの庭に住んでたら近い将来必ず犬に食べられてしまうと思うので、子ウサギは囲いのない前庭に放されました。
・・・と思ったのもつかの間、どうも２匹ともうちの庭に帰ってきてしまったらしい。
残念ながら１匹はプールで溺死（泣）しているところを発見され、もう一匹は植木鉢の裏に隠れているのを捕獲された。
激カワイイです、子ウサギ。ハムスターよりもかわいい（この大きさのままなら）。
もう帰ってくるなよ、とよく言っておきました。
The Man of the House found them and freed them in the front yard since we feared that the dogs would eat them if they were found.
Unfortunately, they found the way home. One of them was found drowned in the pool and the other was found hiding behind a flower pot.
The baby rabbit is uber cute. Even cuter than a hamster (if it could stay small).
I told it never to come back.
April 12, 2015
April 8, 2015
Recycled Kimono Weekend Duffel Bag
かばん、完成した！
もともとはこんな着物が、
The bag pattern/instruction is from Craftsy course, "Sew Better Bags: The Weekend Duffel."
I watched all the videos first before starting to actually cut/sew the bag.
The fabric is a recycled fabric from my mother's old kimono. I don't know how old the kimono is. She used to sew kimonos when she was young but I don't remember her sewing kimonos while I was growing up so most of her kimonos must be at least around 30 to 40 years old.
I deviated a few things from the original pattern/instruction. The original instruction has 2 of the same exterior pockets. I wanted to have a distinct front and back look so I used a bellowes pocket for the front and simple pocket for the back.
The instruction also calls for fusible fleece for interfacing. I used Soft & Stable, which I think is much suited for this bag that needs structure. So instead of applying a fusible fleece for exterior fabric and regular fusible interface for lining, I just fused the Shape Flex 101 to exterior fabric and then basted the Soft and Stable. I did not want to fuse anything for lining since it is nylon (Ripstop with silicone backing).
The big thing I changed was the construction method for attaching the base. I did not like how the instructor sewed the base panel at all. It's hard to describe, but it was messy (despite the fact that the seam allowance is hidden between the exterior fabric and lining) and did not seem durable. So I just sew them all together and bound the raw edges with a ribbon.
About the course.
The instructor is very pleasant to watch and listen to. But I have to say I was disappointed at the content and quality of the instruction. The course is titled "sew better bags." It gave me an impression of a class that is taught by an expert who can give me in-depth knowledge, hints and techniques that professionals use to make "better" bags than say a craftsy home sewer bags.
Unfortunately, the instruction is nothing more than a glorified video tutorial by a craftsy blogger. It sounds a bit harsh to say this but that's what I felt. If the course was titled "bag making for beginner," that's another story.
I guess I wasn't impressed with the instructor's sewing skill. The fabric was shifting badly and she basically says "this is what happens but since it's a lining, nobody will notice, not a big deal."
The course also spends a lot of time at the beginning showing how to sew a simplest straight stitch, but rushes and skips so much at the end when the construction gets very tricky. Also there are some questionable orders of construction, for example, the handle grip is sewn almost at very end so it's a bit cumbersome to sew it onto the handle because the whole bag is getting dragged around.
Conclusion.
I was disappointed at the course, but I am immensely proud of my bag.
もともとはこんな着物が、
 |
| My mother's old kimono in its original state |
旅行用かばんに生まれかわりました。
 |
| Front view. Handles have a handle grip. |
 |
| Front has a bellows pocket with magnetic snap closure |
 |
| Back has a simple pocket with no closure |
 |
| Top view. I added a small tab for the main zipper after I took this photo |
 |
| Inside has a zipper pocket on one side and divided pocket on the other |
 |
| Side is pretty simple |
I watched all the videos first before starting to actually cut/sew the bag.
The fabric is a recycled fabric from my mother's old kimono. I don't know how old the kimono is. She used to sew kimonos when she was young but I don't remember her sewing kimonos while I was growing up so most of her kimonos must be at least around 30 to 40 years old.
I deviated a few things from the original pattern/instruction. The original instruction has 2 of the same exterior pockets. I wanted to have a distinct front and back look so I used a bellowes pocket for the front and simple pocket for the back.
The instruction also calls for fusible fleece for interfacing. I used Soft & Stable, which I think is much suited for this bag that needs structure. So instead of applying a fusible fleece for exterior fabric and regular fusible interface for lining, I just fused the Shape Flex 101 to exterior fabric and then basted the Soft and Stable. I did not want to fuse anything for lining since it is nylon (Ripstop with silicone backing).
The big thing I changed was the construction method for attaching the base. I did not like how the instructor sewed the base panel at all. It's hard to describe, but it was messy (despite the fact that the seam allowance is hidden between the exterior fabric and lining) and did not seem durable. So I just sew them all together and bound the raw edges with a ribbon.
About the course.
The instructor is very pleasant to watch and listen to. But I have to say I was disappointed at the content and quality of the instruction. The course is titled "sew better bags." It gave me an impression of a class that is taught by an expert who can give me in-depth knowledge, hints and techniques that professionals use to make "better" bags than say a craftsy home sewer bags.
Unfortunately, the instruction is nothing more than a glorified video tutorial by a craftsy blogger. It sounds a bit harsh to say this but that's what I felt. If the course was titled "bag making for beginner," that's another story.
I guess I wasn't impressed with the instructor's sewing skill. The fabric was shifting badly and she basically says "this is what happens but since it's a lining, nobody will notice, not a big deal."
The course also spends a lot of time at the beginning showing how to sew a simplest straight stitch, but rushes and skips so much at the end when the construction gets very tricky. Also there are some questionable orders of construction, for example, the handle grip is sewn almost at very end so it's a bit cumbersome to sew it onto the handle because the whole bag is getting dragged around.
Conclusion.
I was disappointed at the course, but I am immensely proud of my bag.
April 7, 2015
Weekend Duffel Bag: Side Panel #2
かばんのもう片側のサイドパネルをつけているところ。
I have attached the other side of the side panel.
Yes, I bought the Wonder Clips for this project.
Yes, I bought the Wonder Clips for this project.
April 6, 2015
Weekend Duffel Bag: Side Panel
かばん作りですが、実は注文した金具のサイズが間違って届けられたことが判明し、正しいサイズの金具が送りなおされるまでしばし休憩しておりました。
やっと金具が届いたので、かばん再開。
金具をはさんでかばんのサイド部分にあたるパネルをつけました。
しわが入ったのでやり直し。
I had to take a little break in my duffel bag making process because the D ring I that was shipped to me was not the size I ordered so I had to wait for the correct one to arrive.
The correct D rings have arrived and now I can move on to the side panel construction.
The side panel uses a buritto method in which the outer side panel is first basted on to the main bag, then a lining side panel is attached to the outer side panel sandwitching the main part of the bag in between. It results in a hidden seam allowance.
This process was very cumbersome. The sewing itself was not as bad as I thought. My sewing machine was able to sew through many layers without problem. The difficult part was to contain the main part of the bag body (i.e. front and back that is connected with the zipper) in between the outer side panel and lining side panel.
I think if I used fusible fleece for the interface, it would not have been too difficult. But the Soft & Stable was just too thick and springy for this particular construction method. Plus my Ripstop for lining does not ease or can be pressed to smooth out.
At the end, I only got 2 puckers, which was easy enough to fix. So I have to say it was cumbersome, but doable.
やっと金具が届いたので、かばん再開。
金具をはさんでかばんのサイド部分にあたるパネルをつけました。
しわが入ったのでやり直し。
 |
| 2 puckers |
The correct D rings have arrived and now I can move on to the side panel construction.
The side panel uses a buritto method in which the outer side panel is first basted on to the main bag, then a lining side panel is attached to the outer side panel sandwitching the main part of the bag in between. It results in a hidden seam allowance.
This process was very cumbersome. The sewing itself was not as bad as I thought. My sewing machine was able to sew through many layers without problem. The difficult part was to contain the main part of the bag body (i.e. front and back that is connected with the zipper) in between the outer side panel and lining side panel.
I think if I used fusible fleece for the interface, it would not have been too difficult. But the Soft & Stable was just too thick and springy for this particular construction method. Plus my Ripstop for lining does not ease or can be pressed to smooth out.
At the end, I only got 2 puckers, which was easy enough to fix. So I have to say it was cumbersome, but doable.
April 5, 2015
Morning Excursion
そろそろ暑くなってきたのでアウトドア活動は早朝か夕暮れでないと体にこたえます。
この家に住んでもう９年以上たつのにまだ行ったことが無かった近所の山に行ってきました。
洞穴があったので見に行こうかと思ったんだけど、犬が暑さでギブだったのと、ガラガラヘビの威嚇にあったので断念しました。
It is getting hot. I will have to do any outdoor activities either early morning or after dusk.
It's been over 9 years but there was a national forest nearby that we had never been to so we visited there. Pretty easy to go to from the house (don't even have to take a highway).
There was a cave we wanted to go to, but it became too hot for the dog and there was a very angry rattle snake so we passed this time.
この家に住んでもう９年以上たつのにまだ行ったことが無かった近所の山に行ってきました。
洞穴があったので見に行こうかと思ったんだけど、犬が暑さでギブだったのと、ガラガラヘビの威嚇にあったので断念しました。
It's been over 9 years but there was a national forest nearby that we had never been to so we visited there. Pretty easy to go to from the house (don't even have to take a highway).
There was a cave we wanted to go to, but it became too hot for the dog and there was a very angry rattle snake so we passed this time.
April 2, 2015
Today's Harvest: Carrots
完全放置中のにんじんをいくつか収穫しました。
隣に植えたイチゴがにんじんの陰に隠れて育たないから。
さすがに長い間植わってただけあって、にんじんらしいにんじんに育っていました。
The strawberries I planted next to carrots were not growing very well hidden underneath the overgrown carrots, so I picked some carrots up.
Now that these guys were in the ground for quite a while, they do look like proper carrots.
隣に植えたイチゴがにんじんの陰に隠れて育たないから。
さすがに長い間植わってただけあって、にんじんらしいにんじんに育っていました。
Now that these guys were in the ground for quite a while, they do look like proper carrots.
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