Little Projects that make a whole impact

The Teaching of Clothing and Textiles (Making a Drawstring Bag)

Drawstring Bag:

What is it?

Before I start off blogging about what the first hands-on project of sewing lesson, lets start with the picture shown above, live and learn, the stories i could tell.

During sewing lesson on thursday, this quote pop up in my head whilst I was sewing my drawstring bag.

Flashback all the way to Thursday 23rd September 2010:

We were taught how to make a drawstring bag today.

Not just a simple drawstring bag which just involve straight stitches and a simple cord for the drawstring, like these pictures of drawstring bags below:

But a drawstring bag that allows a wider input of creativity, such as sewing techniques, colour contrast and co-ordination as well as the selection of different embriodery stitches.

This drawstring bag project allows the application of creativity as well as the sewing skills and techniques which all of us had acquired from Temasek Polytechnic.

During the planning and sewing of my drwatring back, the different sewing techniques begin to refresh in my head and creativity started to kick inside me again.

And so, I went to look on how I can make a drawstring bag which I can make during my free time

 here are some pretty drawstring bag designs which inspired me:

Instead of an ordinary drawstring bag that is commonly seen, Dr Mok taught us how to incorporate quilting technique into the drawstring bag.

Quilting is commonly used in the making of cushion covers, quilts, mats and in bags.

Little which I expect that quilting can be incorporated into a drawstring bag.

This technique brings the overall look of the drawstring bag to a higher level.

Lets look at the quilting design using a cross-embriodery machine stitch which i had accomplished :)

How is the look :D

This quilting desgin may look simple and easy. However, it comes with precision and focus. 

One difficulty which i encountered during the making of this quilting design is the embriodery stitch. During the sewing of the                and cloth, i wasnt alert of the stitch length and width. Instead of 2.0 to 3.0 cm, my stitch was accidentally altered to 1.5 to 3.0 cm. Resulting in a short and compact cross-stitch.

And so, the result of this was: Unpicking. Unpicking such a small and compact cross-stitch is definitely not an easy task, thankfully justine came to my rescue as she saw me struggling to unpick the whole stitch line.

During this making process, it made me reflect.

My focus during sewing of the quilting design was fast in completion, not on alertness.

Unpicking was a good learning process for me, and so, live and to learn.

This is one story which I could tell from just this sewing lesson,

"life process is like sewing a product, it requires one to make mistakes, but moulding and improving the product during difficulty, like unpicking, it gives a extraordinary satisfaction and learning point at the end of it."

Nonetheless, I am halfway through completion of my drawstring project.
Look at the 3/4 Completed drawstring bag.

Do leave comments and all queries are warmly welcomed :).

Stay tuned to this blog for more updates on the completion of drawstring bag.
Thanks.

♥ Angela insights of Home Economics

DCX 131: The Teaching of Clothing and Textiles

The Teaching of Clothing and Textiles

Technology really never stops chasing time. It improves and makes us go  WOW WOW and more WOW.
Before I begin on my blog post for this subject, let’s hear from you :)

What is your perception of sewing machines?

 Whats your perception of Sewing Machines ?

• Noisy
• Time - consuming
• Slow
• All of the above

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Well, for myself, I always thought sewing machines are noisy, slow and time-consuming (all of the above).
To add on, after about 3 sewing course modules I took in Temasek Polytechnic (TP), I felt that sewing machines are limited in actions. I wanted more out of it, like

• 
  
  nice embroidery function
• automated stitch function
• better needle control system
• timer

Today in class, Dr Mok showed us a new ordered Bernina sewing machine which cost around S$10, 000. Yes, such a large sum of money invested in a sewing machine. Our class was definitely sure lucky to have a chance to undergo a tutorial lesson on how to operate this machine and get first-hand experience in handling this sewing machine.

This sewing machine was an eye-opener for me. It was technology-savvy; all parts of the sewing machine are controlled with a touch-screen.

Everything is within a touch. Convenient isn’t it. ?

You must be craving to know how this sewing machine looks right.

Here you go: Bernina sewing machine

Video Do watch this short video clip if you are curious on the above Benina Sewing Machine works :) 

 

So what are the functions that are within a touch from your finger?

This machine is an added plus as it has a automated threading feature. This will benefit in terms of time-saving as it increases efficiency in work completion. It also has an installed automated timer set inside to alert you; you can go off for your lunch/dinner appointment or go for a break, furthermore.

This machine records the last stitch you stopped at, yes, to be exact, it’s the last stitch and location as it has an in-built camera. LOCATION. WOW, I do not have to squint my eyes any further just to search for the last exact stitch I stopped at. In addition, you can insert a thumbdrive  and upload pictures which you would like to do embroidery on.

And with just a touch, you can choose the exact spot you would like to have on the fabric. Long hours spent on needlework and shifting the fabric to get the right spot are not longer necessary. If you are in a rush and would like the machine to complete the embroidery much faster, you can adjust the speed. Just look at the beautiful embroidery which is completed in just 2 minutes.     

Beautiful isn’t it.

Beautiful Embriodery like these :

can be created easily using the new Bernina 830.


Yes, I know it’s every household dream to own this sewing machine. Technology has such great advantages.

Do you agree this stand of mine?
Do comment on my tagboard or leave a comment here.

Next up, is another Bernina sewing machine which our classmates will share among for our class competencies profiles as well as individual assignments.
It is less high tech as compared to Bernina one but it is definitely an upgrade and a great insight from what I had used previously. 


My new NIE sewing machine


My TP sewing machine

I cannot wait to use these fabulous machines and begin on fabric construction and other interesting techniques.

So stay tuned to this blog for more updates.
Thanks.





Do leave comments and all queries are warmly welcomed :).

♥ Angela insights of Home Economics