You may recall that back in April, my dear friend Lizzie sent me some fabric, all packaged up in a parcel tied with string. I dithered for a while about how to use the fabric, but in the end I decided to use a small amount of it to make a wallet (pocketbook). I chose a wallet because it’s an everyday object and so I would get to enjoy the fabric all the time.
I had all the bits I needed for the project, including the metal closure and I set to.. in July. All went well to begin with but then I started having problems with my sewing machine – I just couldn’t get the tension right. I sewed one seam about six times and unpicked it each time. I fiddled with the bobbin and the top tension, I rethreaded the machine, adjusted the feeder dog, applied oil in all the appropriate places, changed the needle and still I couldn’t get it right. In exasperation I put my sewing to one side and and decided that I would have to get the machine serviced.
And then I had some inspiration – I looked at the needles and discovered that the eyes were misaligned. In fact all of the needles in that particular packet were affected. So, I bought some new needles from a trustworthy manufacturer and, hey presto, the tension was fine. However, my enthusiasm was severely affected and I just couldn’t get back to this particular project. And so it remained like this for months:
Last week, however, I pulled myself together and got started again. Of course some of the pieces had become separated from the rest of the project, and it took me an hour or so to locate them. Then I got to a point in the instructions that I didn’t understand. Fortunately, the designer was on hand via the British Bag Makers group on Facebook to sort me out. So, all-in-all, it’s been a bit of a struggle. Nevertheless, I’ve soldiered on and finally completed this (far from perfect) Accordi-Anna Wallet by Lisa Lam (you can find Lisa’s designs on her web site here):
It’s the first of two sewing projects I was determined to finish before I start a scrappy thing I have in mind. Hopefully I will get the second one completed in the next week too. Do you have any stalled projects at the moment?
The Snail of Happiness 
Ann Pole
/ December 1, 2019I love it! What a sweet colourful little thing, with fabric you will treasure. Well done for persevering.
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katechiconi
/ December 1, 2019What gorgeous snaily fabric in super cool watermelon colours. Despite all discouragement, you’ve made a lovely job of it, and I reckon with care you can look forward to a good few years of use out of that.
I have two stalled projects, both involving teeny weeny bits: Steampunk and Cosmatesque. I know they’re stalled, I have no intention of getting back to them any time soon, as I have a Great Big Project brewing which is far too exciting to put on the back burner. One day, though….
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Wild Daffodil
/ December 1, 2019That is so you! and such a brilliant pattern. Well done for sticking with it.
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anne54
/ December 2, 2019it is gorgeous! even in my bag-making days I would not have attempted something as complex as this. Stalled things? I feel as thought all my things are stalled, and piling up around me. However I have a new lease on life, and am determined to gradually sort my way through them.
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cedar51
/ December 2, 2019amazing…and yes I have a stalled book project. It just went back into the “queue” again yesterday, it’s the 3rd time it’s been put back. It just doesn’t want to gel, and it’s a really neat theme. I’ve tried various options so each time I go to it, with “what about this?” the parts are already not quite right!
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thecontentedcrafter
/ December 2, 2019I have a crochet project that has been resting for a while….. That is a fine looking wallet you have there and well done for solving your problem – misaligned needle holes eh? Who knew that could be a thing!! I wonder how many of us have thought our machines were broken when it was just the needles…….. I shall remember this.
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arlingwoman
/ December 2, 2019I love the snail material. This is interesting, as I have been thinking of making a wallet out of felt, likely lined. Tension in a sewing machine is tricky at the best of times. I admire your investigative abilities as well as your sewing.
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nanacathy2
/ December 2, 2019What a lovely wallet , and who knew needles could have eyes in the wrong place. Quality counts. Yes I have stalled projects, the longest of which is over 25 years- not so much stalled as stopped…
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Going Batty in Wales
/ December 2, 2019I’m impressed! Both for you working out why th machine was stitching badly and for making such a fiddly thing on it! I have a load of Christmas presents to make – not stalled as they haven’t even been started yet.
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tialys
/ December 2, 2019A very snappy wallet design – shame Lisa’s closing down her business soon as she did some very good bag making kits.
Where shall I start with my stalled projects? I can’t even blame a wonky needle.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 2, 2019Oh, I had no idea she was closing the business – I love her kits and have two of her books.
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Patricia Longley
/ December 3, 2019I admire your perseverance, you’ve now got a useful and pretty wallet. The only thing I’m stalled on is taking in the flared legs of a pair of jeans to make them straight-legged. They were from a charity shop and I keep thinking it would be easier to buy another pair.
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shapeofthingstoni
/ December 13, 2019Oh it’s so very cute!
My whole life feels like a stalled project of late, as work gets all-consuming and politics ever glummer.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 13, 2019I’m trying to avoid politics here in the UK today… it is too depressing
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