Weekend bag - waterproofing the fabric
20 October 2009, 19:11Remember this Weekend bag from the August 09 KnipMode?
Well, I cut out all the pieces back in August, but I’m only just now getting around to making actual progress on it. Though as you can see from my sketch, I’m making some changes:
Mostly, I’m adding a thin magazine pocket to one large side, adding a waterbottle pocket to each end, creating a lining with some more pockets, and using storebought vinyl handles to make carrying the weight a bit more comfortable on the hands.
I know how filthy my storebought weekend bag gets travelling about and resting on train floors, so I thought having a wipe-clean bag would be a great solution. I found this iron-on laminate from U-Handbag, which claims to turn any fabric into oilcloth and decided to give it a go.
It’s hard to tell in this photo, but the pice on the left is the plain IKEA furnishing-weight canvas, and the piece on the right is the same fabric after it’s been coated (and there’s a small piece of the raw Lamifix on the left piece). Watching this official Lamifix instruction video made it really easy to apply – you just take two passes with the iron, pressing down quite heavily and using a press cloth (oh dear god I’d be very afraid for your iron otherwise!). You really want to make sure that you press your fabric really well before you apply the laminate, too, because any bumps or lint will be stuck there after it’s fused!
It really does laminate your fabric, giving it a plastic coating that makes it feel almost papery – much stiffer and less drapey than the fabric was before, though for something like bag making that’s a plus as you don’t really need interfacing after this! I stitched up some test pieces and it sewed nicely with just the standard foot and universal needle, though you do need to treat it like leather in that every time the needle pierces the fabric it creates a permanent hole. So if you have to rip out any stitches, the holes will remain (and create a leak in your waterproofing!) for all time.
My only problem with the Lamifix thus far is that the rolls are really narrow (45”) – I could just barely fit my two big bag pieces on it, and it turns out that I don’t have enough so I had to order another yard. And I’ve timed it really badly for the postal strike now, guh!
Now I just need to figure out if I feel like messing around with laminated piping for this bag. It looks so nice as an end result, but it’s such a PITA to sew when you’re dealing with thick fabrics and fiddly zippers and corners anyway…
tags: bag, knipmode
How very clever! This is one more great tip I’ve learned thanks to your blog. I also wanted to thank you for the extensive information on fabric shopping in Dublin. I was there last month, your list was right-on and made finding the shops easy. While in Murphy Sheehy & Co., I learned of an additional fabric supplier, T.W.I. International – 24 Mountjoy Square East, (Tel: 353-1-855-3777). They are affiliated with Fabric Select, but much, much larger! The first floor of the shop is for the sale of sewing machines of all types, along with zippers, and specialized notions. The entire, upstairs (not really a second floor) is crammed with fabrics(!!) and a nook for patterns. I found 4 fantastic woolen fabrics. They are generous with cuts and I thought the prices were very reasonable. Staff at both T.W.I. and Murphy Sheey were interested in your blog and how I came to find them in the first place! Many, many thanks for your hard work in locating and posting info on Dublin shops! P.S. Got fabulous teal Mussoni sweater knit at Murphy Sheey, something I would never find in my home city. Thank you again.
— Pamela Oct 20, 08:43 PM #
Since I was there when you discovered the Lamifix, I’m glad it is working so well. The bag is really cute and will be so nice to be able to wipe clean. Hmmm, the possibilities of using this stuff are endless – especially with your creativity. Glad you’re back into the sewing mode.I always enjoy looking at your latest creations on this site.
— Mom Oct 21, 12:41 AM #
Thank you for the heads up on the laminate. It sounds wonderful.
— gwen Oct 21, 01:47 AM #
Interesting stuff.
I am looking for the November Knipmode and the latest Patrones. Stoff-art hasn’t gotten them yet. Do you know why or if there is some other source?
— Nancy K Oct 21, 03:02 AM #
The bag is going to look great. Do you need to laminate the piping? It would look great but I think (as you do) it would be a huge pain to work with.
— Sue Oct 21, 04:06 AM #
Love your sketch!
I agree that dealing with laminated piping would probably turn out to be a huge PITA.
Maybe you could find ready-made piping that’s glossy enough to be easily wiped clean?
— Isabelle Oct 21, 08:52 AM #
So you don’t recommend this stuff for a raincoat, unless you want a portable tent, is that right :-)? This bag is going to look really good, I can’t wait to see it finished.
As to the piping, I can see why you’d hate to do it. It might end with a leather needle by hand. But you know what? I’m the not-proud owner of a great raincoat that has to be retired solely because of the shredding piping. This is after years of retouching it with a black marker, because I used storebought cotton instead of doing it right. Laziness doesn’t pay off here, and I hate to think how much more abrasion you might get from flithy train floors rather than my relatively innocent bag straps.
How about trying out something like aggressively synthetic thick soutache braid instead of piping?
— Marie-Christine Oct 21, 10:17 AM #
You can buy pre-made leather piping. Might be just the thing to avoid all that extra work, it is spendy though. Thanks for the tip about laminate stuff. I want to make this bag now P.S. love that fabric!
— Geri Cooper Oct 21, 04:35 PM #
Would this stuff work? http://veada.com/product/11-Marine-Vinyl-and-More/292—Vinyl-Welt-Cord-Piping-by-the-Yard.html
Not sure if U.S. shipping would be too expensive. Just a thought
— Geri Cooper Oct 22, 04:39 PM #
That looks like a really useful product. The pattern looks enticing to say the least. Eager to see this made up now.
— Jali Oct 24, 06:06 PM #
i like all the materials and all the designs!!
— cyentha Nov 19, 10:00 AM #
So you don’t recommend this stuff for a raincoat, unless you want a portable tent, is that right :-)? This bag is going to look really good, I can’t wait to see it finished.
— purse frame Apr 4, 01:44 PM #