Making a dolly bag - how do I piece it all together?

[Miaou]

I'm making a dolly bag with embroidery round the base. This sort of thing. I've nearly finished the embroidery now and so will need to assemble it soon. I'm getting myself into such a muddle though! It has an inner layer and an outer layer and I don't really want the seams to show - plus it will have a drawstring near the top which I want to put in between the two layers. And piping round the base. Argh.

Long shot but has anyone any tips on how to go about it? ie which seams I sew first etc? It's a really delicate fabric so that together with the embroidery (which has taken me about two months!!) I can't afford to make any mistakes!

TIA

[Miaou]

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[peanutbear]

I have no idea but bumping for you

[rantinghousewife]

Is it the seaming of the lining that you're worried about or attaching the 2 layers together? I'd attach the two layers together in the join where the drawstring goes rather than attach them together up the sides iyswim. An overlocker would make the job easier but, you won't have much margin for error. If the fabric is difficult to sew on a sewing machine you should stabilise it first with a wash away stabiliser, so that you don't find the material sliding all over the machine.
Hope this makes sense.

[andlittlelambmakesfour]

Really rubbish at explaining these things - but I would make up lining and right side separately first ie

sew up side seam
put on base (with piping)

then press down turning on outside bag and on lining but slightly (2mm) lower and sew together.

If you want to put on drawstring so that it comes out of inside (iyswim) leave a gap in the lining for it to come out of and when two bits together sew two lines.

Does this meake ANY sense?? I'm sure there are other ways too...

[LIZS]

I'd make up the two then stitch wrong sides together at the neck leavign a gap, then turn right side out and finsih by hand.

[Miaou]

Thanks for all the tips/thoughts! rantinghousewife - yes I thought I would only attach the two fabrics at the drawstring point (and possibly catch the inside bottom to the piping if it didn't sit right). The tip about stabiliser is a good one - tbh though I am terrified of putting the fabric to a sewing machine and might just hand-sew the bag just to keep that extra element of control!

LIZS and Littlelamb - I had thought of doing it that way but I don't really want any stitching showing round the very top of the bag, and the only way to create an invisible seam (afaics) would be to attach the inner to the outer before attaching the base piece - iyswim. However I think doing it the way you have suggested I will have more control over the final look of the bag.

ARGH - I'm fine at embroidery but my sewing skills aren't great and I'm so scared I'm going to spoil it

Will let you know how I get on - still got a bit more goldwork and beading to do yet before I get on to the making up bit.

[Miaou]

I'll put some beading round the top to hide the handstitching - that might work!

[andlittlelambmakesfour]

Good luck! It sounds lovely!

[violetdisregard]

Picked up a load of knitting patterns at a charity shop last week - some gems - but in amongst them was a load of 'items for your bazaar' type stuff. They also tell you to leave a 2" gap in your dolly bag seam and turn it out the right way through that then slip stitch it closed. Fabulous piccies, remind me of the craft ideas in the JACKIE!