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machined and hand stitched over this following the design from Chapter 8, Sample 3 using pale green threads and long withdrawn linen threads (from another piece of fabric).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to this stitching, hand stitched groups of threads from the fringe through the hand made papers, completing the withdrawn threads from the sound box effect.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 Cut away the Decovil from the semi-circular withdrawn thread work before ironing on this final section.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.
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