For many days I was drowning in the Car Organizer (who knew a pattern could drown a person?). But thanks to some lovely test sewers, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I’m excited to finish it now – only 3 months after I thought I would.
In the mean time, I finished a couple of diaper bags with one more almost done. One is below. This customer wanted laminated cotton on the exterior of her bag so it would be wipeable. Sounds good, right? I hadn’t worked with it before so I thought “No problem.”
The problem is that laminated cotton can’t be ironed and I press everything. I went with regular cotton on the handles. Then, if you are familiar with making bags, you understand the contortions that bags often go through in the turning process…contortions that wrinkle. Wrinkles that don’t really show up in the picture.
While the bag turned out well, I really wished I could have de-wrinkled the outside somehow. Fortunately, it was no problem for the customer, but I think I’ll save the rest of my laminated cotton for something that requires less contortionism.
Some great tips for sewing with laminated cotton can be found here. I was able to sew it easily with a walking foot, but the tape method might work even better. Fabric is Micheal Miller’s Feeling Groovy Laminated Cotton and Amy Butler’s Lotus Lime Dots purchased here. I think I want some more of those dots!
Great bag, Linda. I can only imagine the difficulty you must have had.
What if you ironed the bag from the inside lining? That way you wouldn’t be putting the iron right on the laminate, but it would warm it up enough to maybe get the wrinkles out. Just a thought. Where do you get that laminate, by the way… at the fabric store?
~Diana
Maybe tossing it in the dryer? Maybe leaving it out in the sun? I am so glad you posted this- I have been spotting laminated fabric things to make all over the internet and was going to buy some if I found what I wanted!
If laminated cotton is anything like oilcloth, it can be ironed: on low, with a cotton tea towel, or press cloth between the iron & the plastic. Also, did you use a tefon sewing foot? If not, it’s helpful!
Oh! Forgot to tell you: it looks great!
Looks wonderful
I have not made a bag with it like you…but I know that the wrinkles in my splat mat did ‘fade away’ with time.
Of course, then a kitchen chair would fold over a corner here and there….
The picture doesn’t do it justice. And if you are looking for another project for the laminated cotton…I’ve got just the one!!
Oh, those wrinkle bug me, I can only imagine the frustration when you can’t at least try to iron them out!
Anyway, the bag looks SO beautiful in the pic!!
I love the fabrics, it is absolutely gorgeous!!
Love the fabric combinations! Good thing she didn’t care about the wrinkles – that would bug me too – oh well! Looks great.
That is the cutest diaper bag, Linda! I never thought about the laminated cotton getting wrinkled.
Gorgeous bag!
It looks wonderful! Although not being able to iron it would drive me crazy too
I think the bag looks great – wrinkles or not! Well worth all the work you put into it. Your customer will get good use out of it and the wrinkles will probably be the least of her worries at that point. Thanks for the link to the fabric shop. I lo-o-o-ve fabric!
That are some great links! I´ve had the same problem and I hated the wrinkels to. It was my own bag so now I´m never wearing it
The bag is beautiful! Don’t worry about the wrinkles. Your customer may even end up adding more as the bag is used.
its beautiful
Fantastic bag. Love the fabric!
Great bag! I love the fabric too- I am starting to feel like I want a new diaper bag for summer
That fabric is lovely. The bag turned out nicely.
beautiful bag as usual!!!
~Emily
I love the bag! I found your blog through the link from Craft Mag, followed the link to your blog, and well, here I am. By the way, I love the car organizer! I will definitely be buying the pattern from you.
As far as laminating cotton, save the paper backing. Place the paper shiny side down and iron away. I made a bag for a friend to take to the pool and the wrinkles bugged me. I had to try it out. This method works great!
ooh, good to know about the ironing! i was just trying to decide between the mm laminated cotton and something else for making a bag, and I think I’ll pick the something else now. ironing is my friend!
Hi there – what is the cotton laminated with? Is it possible to laminate it myself? Thank so much.