I've been very inspired by the project photos of handmade bags and projects that are created using weaving techniques and patterns by Tara J Curtis of the WEFTY Needle. What is the WEFTY Needle and how can you use it? Tara is here to explain and inspire. I have my needle and I can't wait to start creating! Here is Tara:
Tara J Curtis is the inventor of the WEFTY Needle, a tool for reducing wear on the hands while improving the look of your work while weaving with fabric strips. You can find her tutorials online at weftyneedle.com and you can find her on YouTube and social @weftyneedle.
Tara J Curtis is the inventor of the WEFTY Needle, a tool for reducing wear on the hands while improving the look of your work while weaving with fabric strips. You can find her tutorials online at weftyneedle.com and you can find her on YouTube and social @weftyneedle.
Making a bag using a woven panel is one way to create a bag that is both eye catching and touchable. The texture of fabric weaving alone is so fun. Woven bags just feel good! But as you will see, a bag made using woven strips of fabric is also really beautiful.
Here are just a handful of the bags made all over the world by sewists who were experimenting with fabric weaving. All these makers used the WEFTY fabric weaving needle, which makes weaving easier and more accurate. Emmaline now carries the WEFTY Needle in the SHOP!
These bagineers also used patterns and/or hardware available right here at Emmaline Bags. I hope seeing these gorgeous makes gives you ideas for how you can incorporate weaving into your sewing!
The Gabby Bag
The Gabby Bag is a perfect candidate for an added woven panel, as is evidenced by Kim Johnson’s version!
Kim used a rainbow “chevron weave.” You can learn how to create your own chevron weave using my free tutorial on Sew Mama Sew and in this YouTube video I made. You can get the Gabby Bag paper pattern (or PDF) and WEFTY Needle in the shop. Find Kim on Instagram @KBCJohn.
The Everyday Tote
Sarai Schuk made the Everyday Tote, a pattern by Bagstock Designs, using Emmaline “Long John” Strap Anchors, purse feet, and her WEFTY Needle.
Sarai made this bag for Art Gallery Fabrics, to include in the Bloom Fabrics lookbook! You can learn the Tumbling Blocks weave design a few ways: my tutorial on Sew Mama Sew, the PDF pattern sold by Mister Domestic, and my YouTube video. Find Sarai on Instagram @sarai_hobbies.
The Violet Bag
When Crystal of Cloth Albatross originally designed the Violet Bag for Blue Calla Patterns, it was so that I could weave the exterior for the Alison Glass Handcrafted Patchwork look book! I added a hexweave in light violet over a dark background, and I think it looks great here.
You can get hardware kits for the Violet Bag here in the store. This bag’s design is quite literally made for the addition of fabric weaving. I can’t wait to see what you do!
The Makers Tote
Probably one of the most popular bags by far these days is the Makers Tote by Noodlehead. I’m really impressed with how Kim Johnson (@KBCJohn) added a woven pocket to the front of hers, as well as a completely woven back. She’s incredible.
Keli of @jeliquilts on Instagram added a rainbow and essex linen weave to her Makers Tote!
I hope these woven bags are inspirational for you! I’d love to see your weaving with the WEFTY Needle - tag me and use the hashtag #weftyneedle. Weave on!
_________________
A guest post by Tara J Curtis, WEFTY Needle
Tara J Curtis is the inventor of the WEFTY Needle, a tool for reducing wear on the hands while improving the look of your work while weaving with fabric strips. You can find her tutorials online at weftyneedle.com and you can find her on YouTube and social @weftyneedle.
