DIY Network

Misfit Outfit Turn a T-shirt and bits of fabric into a wearable-art ensemble. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-134

(Continued from page 2)

The Sock-It-to-Me-Satchel

Amber Howe uses more socks and some sweatshirt scraps (along with the fabric chosen to accent the whole outfit) to construct a purse.

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Misfit Outfit: The Sock-It-to-Me-Satchel

Materials:

1/4 yd. outer purse fabric
1/4 yd. lining fabric
1/4 yd. extra-heavy stabilizer by Pellon
2 fabric scraps measuring at least 2-1/2"x25"
4 knee socks

1. Make a paper template for the purse shape:

• Draw a horizontal line 8.5'' long (purse top).

• Measure down 9.5" from the first line; make a mark.

• Center another horizontal line that measures 11" below the first.

• Draw straight lines from the left end of the top line to the left end of the bottom line.

• Repeat for right side.

  You now have a purse shape similar to a trapezoid.

2. Using the above template, cut two from the outer purse fabric, two from the lining and two from the stabilizer.

3. Baste the stabilizer pieces to the wrong sides of each of the outer purse pieces (figure A).

4. From one sock, cut off the top cuff; also cut away everything from the heel down. Trim close to the actual design featured on the side of the sock. Now cut the tube at the top and at the bottom to make two strips measuring approximately 10''-12'' long and 3"-4" wide each. These are the sock strips.

5. Now place the two sock strips right sides together and sew down the narrower side to create one long strip. Using a hand needle and thread, sew a long running stitch along the top of the strip, about 1" down. Pull thread to ruffle the sock strip so that it finishes at about 7.5" long (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

6. Pin this sock strip about 2" down from top of one of the outer bag pieces. Sew across top of strip on the sewing machine (figure C).

7. Repeat steps 4-6 for the second ruffle. Sew it underneath the first ruffle, letting it peek out about 3".

8. Using another sock, cut one sock strip again, as in step 1. You will only need a rectangle that measures 3" wide and 5" tall. This will be one of the two pockets on the other side of the outer bag.

9. Place top of pocket approximately 2" down from the top of the bag and 1" in from one of the sides. Pin in place and sew down both sides and bottom.

10. Create another pocket next to the existing pocket, as in previous steps (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

11. Place the lining pieces right sides together (figure E). Sew down each side and bottom of bag (figure F). Fold bottom corners to create a point. Measure down 1" from point and sew straight across (figure G). Make this boxed corner on the other side of the bag as well.

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

12. Place the two outer purse pieces right sides together and sew as in step 11. Make boxed corners.

13. Turn outer bag right side out. Turn down top edge of bag 1/2 ". Turn down (toward wrong side of fabric) top edge of lining 1/2". Place lining inside the outer bag.

14. Place handle strips wrong sides together and stitch down the two long sides, approximately 1/4 " in from raw edges.

15. Place handle ends at each end of bag, between the outer bag and lining.

16. Center two pieces of fabric scraps or ribbon opposite each other in the center top of the bag. The ends should also be sandwiched between the outer bag and lining. These will be ties for a closure on the bag.

17. Topstitch along the top edge of bag.

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GUESTS :

Rob Appell
Websites: www.robappell.com
www.thecottonball.com

Amber Howe
Website: www.radbags.com