Chapter 11 Revisions and completed music bag

I feel I have now completed the music bag with some revisions and editions from the last two chapters.
Insert back,side and front photos

 

Insert open bag with some contents

Insert photo of carrying the bag

Revisions:
Front panel and flap: On the previous version there were hand stitched symbolic lines for the guitar in blanket stitch.  This has been replaced to incorporate the loosely lettering aspects of the module.  Previously hand made paper samples 2d, 2f, 6a and 7a were torn up and laid across the bag, on the flap and front – almost like wood, to give an elongated feel to the design.  Layers of stitches were machined and hand stitched over this following the design from Chapter 8, Sample 3 using pale green threads and long withdrawn linen threads (from another piece of fabric). ‘Hen wlad fy nhadau’ has also been woven through the work in linen threads.  There is a subtle outline to the guitar shape, purposely not to the scale of a guitar which would not fit the bag.
Insert front panel showing guitar shape with stitching and original design

 

 

 
Sound box design: Previous to this stitching, hand stitched groups of threads from the fringe through the hand made papers, completing the withdrawn threads from the sound box effect.  (see photo of guitar shape above)
Insert Hardanger stitching from sound box on flap

 
Guitar strings: Whilst doing this work withdrew the woven guitar strings, replacing them later using machine stitched variable red thread zigzag couching (stopped the flap from curling up, better for a bag like this, although the curled effect may be suitable on a piece of work requiring a 3-D effect and more movement in it).
Ironing fabric to Decovil: Before completing further work, (metal strings still not attached)  ironed the linen fabric to the Decovil using a damp cloth, wool setting (2) on the iron and was pleasantly surprised that the hand made paper did not disintegrate under the damp cloth.  Cut away the Decovil from the semi-circular withdrawn thread work before ironing on this final section.  The fabric and work were stretched and smoothed down.  I feel it looked appropriate for a bag and was not too upset about loosing some of its texture.
Insert me ironing

Back panel needed attaching to the ironed surface.  Thought through some ideas for stitching but chose a simple practical stitch – five wavy lines around the outer edge of the panel, mimicking music score lines free machine embroidered in variegated green thread which enhanced and did not detract from the design already on the leathery panel.
Side panels, Gussets: The design on the side panels gussets is machined 5-line score in green thread, green treble clef and red wording ‘Cerddoriaeth’ (‘Music’) woven through the machine stitching.  The border was free machined with spiral line.

Straps were made using linen scrim fabric, to replicate the guitar strap.  A double width of fabric (approx 12 cms wide and 60 cms long) was folded in half machine stitched to make a seam, turned inside out the zigzag machine stitched along the edge to reinforce the edges.  Initially I thought of using a triangular design where the straps were attached to the front of the bag.  Then, withdrew threads and rewove them in to form a triangular subtle pattern along its length on one side (See Design on Sampler 2 Chapter 2).  The strap was then cut in half to form the two straps needed.

Incorporating bits from a guitar: In order to incorporate more of the guitar bits: used the metal lengths from either side of the guitar head on the back panel.  The guitar pegs slot under the hooks.  Decided to replace all the pegs using metal beading thread under each hook the lowest attached to the end of the strap.  When closed the strap protects any catching as brush against the bag.  In a conventional musical bag there is usually a rod which holds the bag closed behind the handle – Sorry but I just like the idea of using the pegs, each one clips under the lowest hook.  The other end of the strap is attached to the front of the bag using wire and thread just above a motif replicating the design at the bottom of the metal strips.  I cut out the shape from the ‘brick’ made in the last chapter, on Decovil, had stitching using over stitch around the edge.  It has a metallic effect complementing the back panel.  The strap is firm when the bag is closed, the length was adjusted as both ends were completed.
Insert back metal strip and front metal effect ends to the straps

 

 

Further decoration: Both back and front decorative ends of the straps were further embellished with dangles using ivory type rods and the nuts from the guitar head.  On the back further beads were added rolled up music and text of the Welsh National anthem.  Further evidence to the loosely lettering.  Glad that there was some red print as well as black and cream.  Copyright is covered as the book is more than 70 years old, but also manipulating the paper photocopies alters the print.  Linen scrim threads were used to attach the embellishments.
Seams and edges.  All seams were zigzag machine stitched using the variegated green thread used throughout.  To give a simple decorative finish to this, used Sample 7 design from the Edges book, using a thicker variegated green to pink thread.  On the edge of the flap used blanket stitch overlaid with raised chain stitch into which was woven a guitar string.
The handle was made from the bridge of the guitar.  Using the hole in the bridge could not use a needle and thread, because the raised part of the bridge prevented the needle from going through the holes, however it was fairly easy to thread through metal beading threads.  Initially this chain effect gave too much, stretching too much, so in order to narrow the gap between the handle and bag flap added a bit of guitar string to reinforce it.  I left the handle as it is, so although the front of the bridge is shiny and well finished the back shows the scores when it was torn from the guitar.
Insert handle

Lining: No further lining was added in the making.  I felt the dyed patterned Decovil was practical and suited the design.  Some stitching showed.  If I’d minded this or to give a more professional finish a further lining could be added, however I was happy with the results as they were.
Water-proofing: Finally the bag was sprayed outside with Scotchgard.  I’d already discovered with samples that this spray did not interfere with the fabrics, threads, inks or dyes, and the water from a running tap just ran right off the surface with no penetration of water or staining.  Brilliant effect.
Presentation sheet:  In the pipeline- three slightly larger than A4 panels made of hand made paper, as zigzag booklet to fit in the bag on to which will be added some pictures of the music bag, Proposal, Design, Components and Construction, using both sides of the panels and could also fit on a music stand.
Comments and what I would do differently.
I had great fun making the music bag and enjoyed problem solving the different stages.
Module 4 is entitled ‘Loosely lettering’ and I incorporated examples from various aspects: Welsh words and music; used lettering designs as patterns and previously completed samples (see inside the sound box); hand and machine stitching using different stitches; hand-made paper and extra large pieces with embedding and embossing; withdrawn threads in both sound boxes including Hardanger style on the flap with needle weaving and pulled threads woven back into on the strap; considered suitable edges and how to provide practical and decorative types; and to complete the music theme incorporated many bits from a dismantled guitar.
I tried to incorporate my selected colour scheme of white, red and green on the silvery grey linen scrim.  I loved working with this material, easy to remove threads and stitch in to.
I feel I made a bag that is practical and water-proof and could be used to carry music scores and booklets.  The handle supported quite a heavy weight (sorry didn’t weigh it when I tried it out with music encyclopaedia, guitar book and book of scores).
A traditional bag should incorporate a rod on the the end of the straps, so another time would include this.
The edges could be neater or possibly more decorative.
Possibly add a further lining
Hope the completed music bag fulfills the proposal.

Chapter 11 continued

Needed to consider a few aspects before going ahead to make my music bag:

• If the bag is only made of linen scrim will it have enough weight to it – planning to iron the fabric on to Decovil a product from Empress Mills which is useful for making bags; it has some weight to it, easily folds and can be stitched into.  There is a Bondaweb type surface on one side to which the linen can be ironed ( Will test this on spare material before going ahead)  If there is a problem could machine stitch the surfaces together
• How to make it waterproof – Decovil seems to be waterproof which will protect items held in the bag, but to protect the outer layer will spray with a fabric waterproof (Will test with Scotchgard spray on smaller samples before going ahead)
• The bag has a musical theme, Welsh theme using white, red and green, and want to attach bits from a dismantled guitar – planning to use some words that are musical and welsh (Cerddorol – Musical); incorporate some colours by dyeing the linen scrim with musical motifs and incorporating stitch using these colours; to incorporate the guitar bits, planning to give a design with a hint of guitar in it, so made some changes to the original plans in order to incorporate guitar strings, the bridge off the guitar as a handle, up-cycled guitar strap for the straps on the bag

So some work has been carried out so far
Cut the Decovil and linen scrim in one piece using a template.
Dyed the linen scrim on the Decovil – two surfaces dyed at one time.
Insert photo of me painting on the dye

A change to the design was made to incorporate a circular motif in the centre of the front panel, with a semicircular motif on the flap, which when the bag is closed overlaps half of the front circular motif.  This depicts the sound box on a guitar. Both areas have removed threads.  Machine stitched the main front panel using a wing needle, highlighting the strings of the guitar in red (six) going across.  Added a lining under the withdrawn threads using one of the samples from Chapter 6. On the semicircle used hand stitching using withdrawn threads of some dyed linen scrim and three lines of machine stitching for three strings.  To the red lines wove in actual guitar strings and some beading wire.  Need to make the ends of the wires safe – some already are others need help.  Rows of machine and hand stitching go around the edge of the circles.  Would really like to cut away the Decovil from under the flap motif so can see through it.
Insert photo showing circle and semicircle templates on bag

Insert photo of sample used as a lining

Insert completed work

Hand stitched in blanket stitch some lines to represent the outline of a guitar
Back panel is a new enlarged version of a previous sample, using the same techniques, with the word ‘Cerddorol’ embossed on the paper surface and larger soldering ironed notes around the edge. (It was not so easy to burn these so have just left an impression).  Gives a leathery effect, a colour blending in with the linen scrim.  There seemed to be some bubbling under the inked layer, possibly because the gesso was not completely dry when the ink was painted on, or using different inks from the original.
Insert photo

I also made a sample – turned out to be brick shaped - on which I’ll be testing the waterproofing spray.  Liked this!
Insert brick!

If all works well, plan to iron the scrim on to the Decovil, then add all the other bits, including the leathery back surface.  Adding it before ironing may cause problems in getting the two surfaces to attach.  Machine and hand stitching should work through the linen scrim and Decovil to add the items below and the gussets
I’m now thinking about how to add a handle and straps.
The handle has holes in it so using threads and some of the bits from the guitar head attach it to the top of the flap.
The guitar strap I have is not suitable, very Welsh but the black background I feel is too harsh, otherwise I would have converted it into two straps attached to the front panel – so I’m thinking of making one out of linen scrim.  They need to be attached to a rod which sits behind the handle when the bag is closed, something like this:
Insert photos of bag front and back

Should the straps be simple, double layer of scrim or decorated?  For time I feel maybe the straps should stay plain. However the attachments could have some decoration - like the triangular design on the original, perhaps with some of the pearl screws from the guitar head attached to them, like large hanging beads.

Meanwhile recently decorated a Travelling Book using withdrawn threads and Hardanger style stitching in blue and orange, which took only a short while to make!

Chapter 11 Make a special structure related to ‘media’

Proposal
To make a music bag 40cm wide x 30 cm long x 8cm deep using an embroidered panel.
The proposal is to make the panel from one piece, front, back and flap with 3 designs, using several methods from this module.
Within the bag will be a presentation sheet made of 3 panels, as a zigzag as found with music scores on a music stand
Design
As a guide took images of different types of bag, mostly music bags from the Internet
Insert Scan of Page 8 in notebook

Decided to use a traditional design of a music bag
Insert Scan of Page 10 in notebook

Here are a few samples of ideas, a variation on a theme
Insert Scan of Pages 9 & 11

The presentation sheet will be made from 3 enlarged zigzag paper panels using metal frames dipped in paper pulp
Insert Sample 5, Chapter 10 (bottom left)

Components
Main surface of the bag
Using a pattern to cut out the linen scrim, adding decoration on the front, back and flap based on enlarged versions of previously made samples.  1cm along each edge will be added to accommodate the seams 
Insert Scan of Page 13 in notebook

Using Sample 10, Chapter 6 for the flap
Using Sample 9, Chapter 8 for the back
Using Sample 8, Chapter 8 for the front
Insert the three samples in sequence

The surface of the bag will be made from grey linen scrim, freshly made paper and hand and machine stitched decoration.  The backgrounds will match in colour unlike the samples.
The base will be left clear of decoration, the 2 side panels also left plain but may be decorated with withdrawn thread patterns.
Side panels
The side panels will be separate strips 30cm x 8 cm x2, also in linen scrim.
Lining
Lining will be made of Decovil, cut from the same patterns above. This has a bondaweb type surface on one side to which the linen scrim, when complete, will be attached.
Insert photo of linen scrim and Decovil fabric

Straps, Handle & Treble Clef fixture 
2 straps made of Decovil, approx 5 cm wide and length to fit (approx 15cms) on to which is attached a metal or wooden strip, to go around handle when the bag is closed.  Couched on to the fabric could be lengths of wire, to look like music score. (Alternatively the straps could be made of plaited or twisted cord)
Handle of thick plaited or twisted cord in red, white and green.  Measurements approximately 15 cms long attached to the bag with metal rings.
Insert Scan of notes

Insert Photo of guitar pieces Ch4 photo 8

Treble clef motif to be added to the edge of the front flap using the techniques shown in Chapter 7.  Because of the nature of the shape and to give the surface added weight the metal frame will be retained
Insert scan of treble clef

Insert sample to show technique

The following is a full scale paper mock up of the bag showing the location of the Treble clef (and scale), excluding straps and handle, which will act as the pattern.
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Presentation sheet
3 panels (slightly less than A3 size to fit inside the music bag) either with the metal frame retained or cut away.  Samples and drawing will be attached to the paper.

Construction
Using pattern cut the back, base, front and flap as one piece in linen scrim
Cut a second piece in Decovil fabric
Cut 2 panels; linen lengths and Decovil lengths
Main bag linen scrim to be dyed, fresh paper pulp added and stitched into, following the patterns as indicated above.  (The main fabric will have a silvery grey background rather than those shown in the samples).  The back will be made up as the original sample, with larger lettering, adding gesso and inks, musical notes burnt into the surface using a soldering iron.
The straps, handle and treble clefs will be made and attached to the main surface of the bag, using machine or hand stitching whichever seems most appropriate
The lining will be attached to the linen scrim and panels using machine stitching.
All seams will be attached using hand stitching with some decoration
The presentation sheet will be made of 3 pieces of paper made using 3 metal frames, 2 threads wrapped around to form a grid and fresh paper pulp following the techniques in Chapter 10.  The sheets will form a large zigzag book, portrait rather than landscape, so it can stand unaided or sit on a music stand. Samples and papers will be attached probably using thread.  It is important the sheets will fit in the bag.
This is a smaller scale sample of the sheet without its frame.

 

 

 

Chapter 10 Book-type and Case-type structures

Working towards finished items with elements linked to music I chose two structures made out of recycled paper with stitch to hold them together:
Book-type related to music scores
Case-type related to bags or other structures for holding music
Initially I jotted down some ideas
Insert Scan 1

Book-type related to music scores
Considering sheet music, Samples 1 to 6, 10, 13 and 15 show book-type structures in miniature.
Normally they are about A4 in size, with some variation either way.  The samples are approximately 10 cm x 10 cm.
Sample 1 shows a simple folded page, with no stitching
Sample 2 shows two folded pages, a line of equal size and spaced running stitches to hold the sheets together.  The sample has 5 stitches, but could have just two like stapling the papers together.
Insert Scan 2

Samples 3 shows four individual sheets, spirally bound using overlaying stitch 3-ply withdrawn threads from previous work.  To maintain order to the stitching a line was drawn along the top page and holes pierced 1/4 ins apart using a darning needle.  The pages were kept together using large paper clips.
Sample 4 represents a music score book made up with 3 pamphlets (a series of double folds) held together using a blanket stitch in red embroidery cotton.  A line was drawn along one edge, holes pierced along equal intervals using a darning needle, and pages held together with large paper clips.
These are more substantial and stable structures.
Sample 5 and 6 return to individual sheets of paper neither of which are stitched.  Both are folded into 3 - Sample 5 is folded as a zigzag, Sample 6 right third below the left third.  Music scores are often found like this when laid on music stands.  The zigzag arrangement could be extended by either gluing pages back to back or joining using stitching
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Sample 10 uses a commercial patterned recycled paper within a different green sheet for the cover of the book.  There are different widths of paper and seams. Papers were folded and inserted both sides of the central fold using a strong attachment of machined running stitch; the right down the centre of papers inserted one in the other, the left one with a seam not central to the sheets.  An intriguing design but possibly not one with which to go further.
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Sample 13 is a more complex book form which almost looks like a case without sides.  Here actual recycled scores have been torn up folded in half into 3 pamphlets within a book cover (continuous folded sheet).  There is a spine and flap with strap to fasten the book closed.  This is also a continuous length.  Zigzag machine stitching was used to strengthen the edges and especially along the folded lengths of both sides of the spine.  The strap was attached using machined zigzag stitch with decorative panels in running stitch.  Each pamphlet was attached to the spine with a different colour using white, red and green threads (Welsh national flag).  The parallel lines of stitching on the spine were then tied with small lengths of thread.  To ensure pamphlets and cover stayed lined up used large paper clips.  With a larger sample would use bulldog clips or similar.
Insert Scans 7 and 8

Sample 15 is a book made from a card envelope with flap to seal.  It contains the pages from Chapter 9 – Edges
The cover was coloured by scrapping acrylic paint (turquoise, red, yellow and silver) across the card with a plastic card, adding another layer of torn sheets of music scores with a welsh theme.  The front had a title in large lettering using black ink.  The back had an additional layer, rolling the card over a painted tiled grid (see technique from Summer school 2013).  I did try to write ‘Edges’ in glue to leave to dry as in Chapter 2, considering a wash with card using black ink, but the glue ran whilst the cover was drying.  Maybe I could have added one of the made papers with fabric and pulled threads.
To ensure the papers inside the book freely opened decided to have a type of spiral binding.  Held cover and pages together with large paper clips, holes with even spaces were punched along the spine edge, then green wire threaded through the holes three times along the length.  It was important I cut sufficient wire to complete the spirals. To ensure enough give as well as going through the hole wrapped the thread around a finger.
The book contains 6 pages, each page has 4 samples and each sample is an overlapping flap.  The borders of the pages were cut with different pinking shear patterned scissors. 
Insert 3 or 4 scans of the completed book.

 

This book design could be developed further.
Case-type related to bags or other structures for holding music
Some further sample designs in miniature (10cm x 10cm) are of folders, bags or cases for translation into life style bags for holding music, e.g. 50cm x 40cm x 5cm. 
See Samples 7 to 9, 11 and 12 and 16.  Case-type structures could also be made by providing sides to samples 13 and 15.  However further designs will probably arise when considering my final project.
Samples 7 and 8 have slight variations on one another.  They are wallet-like where Sample 7 has a longer top fold and machine stitched running stitch seams.  Sample 8 has a shorter top fold and zigzag machine stitched seams and edges.  Both have secure seams and edges and are made from one sheet of recycled paper.
Sample 9 is a variation on the theme, using a longer length of recycled paper, machine stitched using one of the set patterns on the machine.
All could be used to insert a few music scores (portrait or landscape), but for more bulky contents would require folded side inserts.  
Insert Scan 4

 
Samples 11 and 12 are variations on the wallet design. 
Sample 11 is made from a continuous length of canvas and has hand stitched seams; blanket stitch using green cotton embroidery thread.  This time the top fold is at a slant fastened with a large safety pin.
Sample 12 is similar to Sample 8 but shows a panel attached to the front using hand stitched running stitches.  Along the base is a folded section for increased space in the wallet.
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Sample 16 (last above) is made from a continuous piece of brown paper overlaid with painted scrim with grid pattern.  It is then rolled up with straps along both sides.  It was a sort of accident and is currently only held together with needles!  I like the colours and texture.

The final project will be a development of a bag or case-type structure in which to hold music.