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Thursday, August 10, 2006

The littlest birds, sing the prettiest songs

This tiny seamless bag is in single crochet.  It measures a mere 4" wide, 7" tall, and 3" deep.  I engineered a new "single crochet no-seam" technology, so this one has less of a bump at the slip stitch join than the Super Bad bag.  I used single crochet to make the bag more rigid to help it stand up on it's flat bottom. Single crochet also produces a relatively flat ground for embroidery and applique. For the embelishments, I more or less just copied the bird cage and bird from my new uber excellent bird fabric.  The little bird came out unbelievably cute!

Being a prototype, I made it tiny.  It's easier to frog a tiny bag over and over (and over).  Plus, I was obsessively counting each stitch during the flat bottom development so I wouldn't wank up the corners of the rectangle.  If there are too many stitches to count, I end up having to count out loud so I don't lose my place.  Am I the only person that skips double numbers (like 33) or jumps ten numbers (28, 29, 30, 41, 42)? Probably.

The bag isn't lined yet ... it's barely big enough to hold a soda can, so I'm not sure how practical it is.  I'm definitely going to make a human sized bag.  I think it would be cool to line the bag with the bird fabric.   I'm also dreaming of a zippered pouch/wallet to match, but the idea of tackling zippers - ugh.

If anyone knows about any great zipper tutorials or zipper help, let me know (I'll be googling when the time comes).  I can get away with not joining crochet pieces, but I won't be able to avoid zippers forever.

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P.S.
The title of this post, The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs, is borrowed from a Jolie Holland song. She is incredible. Her music is described as "spooky American fairytales" - I couldn't have said it better.  I encourage you to at least give her a listen.
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19 Comments leave a comment


normanack said ...
That's a terrific bag. I fell in love with it at first glance!
I'd love to know your crochet join technique, or let me know when the pattern/book comes out and I'll buy it!

I just learned to crochet, and find the slip-stitch join mystifying, annoying, and insufficient.
8/10/2006 7:58 PM

Green Kitchen said ...
Very cute. The bird is adorable. Maybe it's just the right size for a child?
8/10/2006 10:49 PM

marcisenders said ...
OMG...this is the cutest thing ever! I just love the bird and the embroidery. I think it is just right for when you want to just run out to the store (or even better, the park) and only need a little cash, keys and cell phone. I tend to keep little bags little that in my big bag I take to work so when I go out at lunch time, I don't have to haul my gym clothes around. I think it would looked great lined with the bird fabric.
I don't sew very often but I made a little zippered pouch with a friend. The trick is the have the correct arm for your sewing machine. I was actually quite easy. I will see if she have instructions and will get back to you.
8/11/2006 12:28 AM

macati said ...
Hi! The bag is so sweet... And I already saved the jolie holland page to listen a bit more... thank you for the suggestion... hug, manela
8/11/2006 2:08 AM

Natalie said ...
I absolutely adore this bag! I want to learn how to make one! It's gorgeous.
8/11/2006 4:13 AM

Funky Finds said ...
It's beautiful! Great work :)
8/11/2006 8:05 AM

Marietta said ...
the bird just makes it - i like the two different materials together combined with the embroidery
8/12/2006 11:50 AM

Maitreya said ...
I love everything about it!
8/12/2006 7:06 PM

Bitterbetty said ...
Good one!!! Great bird!! Small bags that fit inside larger bags (to corral just the bare essentials for quick errands) have been one of my favorite gifts to give.
And on top of that:
I Love Jolie Holland..
Absolute favorite song is Mad Tom of Bedlam.. There is a movie in my head everytime I here it.
Excellent reference and recommendation.
8/12/2006 7:42 PM

Dawbis said ...
this makes me want to learn to crochet better! i think you did a really great job!
8/13/2006 7:06 AM

Frizz said ...
This is SO cute. Looks like a ton of work!! Crochet is something I haven't tried yet. I think your bird and cage turned out beautifully. Love the cage lines.
8/13/2006 9:33 AM

Rose said ...
Perfect! Something else to add to my "why I have to start crocheting again" list.
8/13/2006 12:13 PM

wendy said ...
Amazingly cute!!! I love it...what a great birdy bag.

Emily says Thanks you!
8/13/2006 10:04 PM

One Crabapple said ...
This little bird bag is genius and simply a delight. ADORABLE !
8/14/2006 11:28 PM

whizzme said ...
What a great bag - you are very talented - I love the birdie. And what a wonderful blog you have, thank you for helping me find it by leaving me that lovely comment.
8/16/2006 5:34 PM

Dacia Ray said ...
its absolutely adorable!
8/19/2006 12:32 PM

pintoo said ...
i love ur crocheted bags.. they are so perfect.. I guess i am loving each and everything of your handmade stuff..they are too lovely..
4/24/2008 2:52 PM

Kristin said ...
A mixture of your tutorial about sewing a lining for a bag, and this tutorial (http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=150) helped me in making my first purse with a zipper pocket. It was my first craft using my new sewing machine, so my zipper turned out less than perfect, but for it being my first time, I think I did a pretty good job. That tutorial for zippers (the one I linked above) is amazing, just like your purse lining tutorial. I suggest you look at it if you haven't already found something to help you tackle those zippers. ;)
7/1/2009 12:07 PM
 
futuregirl said ...
Kristin ... Oh, yes, that zipper tutorial *is* amazing and I've used it to make something since I posted this bag. Thanks for the heads up! :)
7/6/2009 11:01 PM

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