Advice from bag makers please...
 

I have come into this interesting fabric, I have no idea what it's called. It looks quilted on the top and it's a very cool looking fabric. On the backside I can see the quilted effect is from lots of threads running selvedge to selvedge. Picture below of the front and back of the fabric.
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I'm thinking of making simple lined bags with it. I also have a roll of what I think is macrame cord, picture attached. I'm thinking of using this cord for the handles, just inserting it between the top edge where the fabric and lining meet. However in the past I've noticed this cord ravels at the edges. Is there a way to overcome this? It would be super quick and easy to use this as a handle.....Plus I have so much of it.

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Thanks fellow bag makers!

No info on the fabric for you. As for the cording, is it 100% cotton? If not, you could singe/melt the ends once cut and that should keep them from raveling. If it's 100% cotton, just dip the ends in some old nail polish and/or glue. Best I can offer.

I usually melt it but that cord does stretch some too.

The cording is definitely a synthetic, melting is a good idea!

As for stretching, any suggestions to over come that? Maybe make the handles a tad shorter than I think they should be?

Thanks!!

Make sure that this fabric does unravel when cut. I would use something more sturdier for a handle than macrame cord.

Darn it, I was hoping for quick and easy!! Plus I actually have 2 rolls of it...all given to me.

Braid the cord, it will be fine.

Braid the cord!! What a great idea!! :thumbup:

Macrame cord works great when making Christmas bags (large fabric bag with ties for wrapping gifts). I would use something else if I was making a purse because it does stretch.

Braid the corps and zig zag across the ends to stop fraying, it actually looks like one of the cords I use when making curtain tie backs.

Thanks!! So does anyone know the name of the quilted looking red fabric?

My guess is that the red fabric was used for curtains or drapes. The right side finish on it is simulated smocking. I would serge or zigzag the cut edges, then wash & dry it and the lining before cutting out anything. Braiding the cord does sound like a good idea because a single cord can cut into your hand or shoulder. Fray-check is another option for finishing the cord ends, but a few matches cost less. I like to sew with decorator fabric for bags, pillows, vests, etc.

I would cover the cord with a tube of bias fabric- probably in a coordinating fabric. It will give body to the handles and you won't have to worry about the cording wearing out or unraveling.

Or possibly when braiding use a piece of ribbon or non-stretch whatever along with one of the strands. Most likely would keep the stretching down.

Thanks for the great ideas. I'll post pictures of what I make.

What you have is upholstery fabric. I had some just like that, only a different color. FYI: Not washable.

Well it turns out braiding that macrame cord is quite the challenge!! I cut 3 pieces and sewed the ends of them together (a challenge in and of itself!!) Then I hung the cord from my clothesline, braided it and tried to sew the other ends together (another challenge).

It looks ok but I'm afraid the ends are a bit lumpy for my bag. They will be hidden between the outer fabric and the lining but they are still quite lumpy.

Any simple suggestions for me? Am I missing something obvious. Thanks!!

PS. Thanks HillCountryGal for the fabric ID. I had no idea what it was!

Did you sew the ends of the cords flat next to each other? I wouldn't have layered the ends.

I tried to sew them flat next to each other. I did small stitches. When I reached the end, I turned the cord and tried to go back but the 3rd cord would always get out of line. Going backwards didn't work well either. It was much trickier than I thought it would be. I broke a needle trying to sew them laid on top of each other. That was my first attempt. Then I laid them flat.

I agree with MsHeirloom, maybe try covering the macrame with fabric. Don't know anything about that fabric other than it is pretty. I made a tote the other day, will post someday, love making totes!

I like the idea of putting the macrame cord between some fabric to make the strap stronger. You may have to get a bigger needle size to sew through all the layers. That fabric is cool, I've used some similar in the past. Upholstery fabric will be strong but wash a piece and see what it does before you make something out of it. The other thing to consider is that it may have a chemical treatment for flame retardant on it - if so, wear gloves while you work with that fabric.

Make some little 'tabs' for the ends, enclosing the cord ends in them.

I would be afraid that the stitching where the cording is attached to the bag won't be strong enough. If you are set on using the cording, try attaching to the bag differently....like sewing a sturdy loop to the bag and running the cording through the loop and then knotting. Or maybe a grommet....run the cording through the hole then knot the end big enough to not pull through.

personally, I would use the macrame cord to "pad" inside a handle.
You won't even sew through it at all then.
I like the other fabric for a bag.
Maybe google or "pinterest" for some ideas with the cording :thumbup:

Try making a "knot" at the ends of the macrame ends. like you would put on the end of a sewing needle. Then sew above it , onto the fabric. It will have that shabby chic look

Thanks for all the great ideas. At this point, I am setting the cord aside for another day. Too many details to think about. Instead I went and made a totally different bag with my usual style of handles. I'm going to make one with that red upholstery fabric next (at least that's the plan...) but I'll just make the handles match the lining. The cord is just too problematic in my mind.

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This is true, but you could still use it inside the handles to make them stronger. When I make bags, I put something more durable inside the handles because just cotton, will break down pretty quickly from use, skin oils, dirt, dust, etc. Polyester cording like that is great for making cording trim also.

I would hand stich the briaded ends first so they would be held together flat, then machine stitch for strength.

Looking at the back of your fabric, I would use a fuseable (lightweight) for a little stability and for your cord, you could always incase it.

I love the fabric, as it is very unusual and unique. I would use fusible fleece to back either the front or bag lining, just to give it more stability. I have seen tutorials where they use something like headliner fabric, which is soft, supple and gives stability, however, I have not seen any to know of it's availability. As to the cord, I don't think I would use it, unless it was covered with a similar colored fabric to go with the bag. I'm looking forward to seeing the end product, I'm sure it will be beautiful.

you have upholstery/drapery grade fabric...it will be just fine for purse making.
The cording can be singed on the ends, or tie a knot and then hit with fabric glue.
Marge

Thanks for the continued advice! My goal is to use "stuff" I already have in the house, like the macrame cord. I don't have any fusible interfacing, that's why you see I didn't use it. I am totally getting away from using the macrame cord for the handles, at least on it's own. As I mentioned, I did braid it. I found that it stretched even then. Using it inside a fabric handle is intriguing. How exactly would I do that? Would I try to insert the cord into a tube of already stitched fabric or would I create the handle around the piece of cord? Thanks again!!

Wow......What great ideas from the members.

I've used this method and looks like the exact type of cording. The tutorial shows a small cord but you can actually use whatever size you want. Just need to adjust the size of your cut fabric.

http://www.patternpile.com/sewing-pa...-cording-foot/

It looks a little tricky but it's really not.

margecam you are right .....i handle that fabric all day long at my other job.....we make chairs and couches lots of this type of fabric .....just saw it in green with red .......and i would do a square knot with the cord if you are set on that ......but i take that fabric cut into 5 " strips and fold like double folded bias tape is when you buy it sew down both side for handles .................... good luck

Thanks for the great tute vicki. Of course I don't have fusible interfacing so I'll have to modify it a bit, but I have some ideas. Those are excellent bag handles, worth some effort in my mind.

Also thanks yel for the suggestion of making my standard handles with the upholstery fabric. I wasn't sure I could do that. I usually iron it into shape and then sew it. I'm sure I can't iron this stuff. So what should I do - pin it??

to me another option would be to cover the cording with fabric. It would not likely stretch then and would not ravel either.

Coming from UK I was wondering if the fabric will alter on a rainy day.

I finished my first bag with this upholstery fabric. It sews real nice!! I like my projects quick and fast so I used the selvedge as the top of the bag - no hemming needed. I found a piece of fabric that I thought looked great for the lining. (Don't tell, I think it was a tablecloth in it's previous life...). It was serged at the edge so no hemming there either. I made the handles in my traditional way using the upholstery fabric as yel suggested. Great!! The fabric was so thick that I didn't even need batting in the handles to make them soft and cushioned. I think I'll be making quite a few bags with this fabric. Thanks for everyone's help!!

Oh, I hand washed a scrap of this fabric. Came out just fine so no worries about rainy days.
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I like it!!! Did you use your old Kenmore to sew it? Those will go through anything.