Please Help I Think I Messed Up BIG Time

Pa. Nancy wrote

on Jan 30, 2010 4:10 PM

HI ladies, I haven't been here for a while things have changed. I sure hope you can help me.

I've always made just simple delica beaded earrings. I found a pattern a few years ago of a amulet bag with  koi fish I just LOVED, but didn't know how to do it , but hoped some day I would.

Well I started it last Sun. I have been putting in LOTS of hours doing it. I was so thrilled with myself I didn't think I could do it, but now I am almost done with it and realizing. I think I  did it all wrong. :( I am in tears.

O.k. I had the pattern blown up big time to make it easier to see. It is all on one sheet. The piece has a different front than back. If you look at the pattern you can see a definite line where the seam would be. Here's my dumb question........ Was I supposed to stop at that line and do the second half? Or do you just bend it at that point and just sew up the one side and bottom?  I feel I made a GIANT mistake. I made it all together, and I am finding that the piece does not want to bend at the seam point. I am in tears. I have spent so MANY hours on this. No where in the instructions do I see to make 2 separate pieces. The book I have is a higher level book and not a teaching book so I guess they just assumed one should know.I am so sad right now. :( 

Thank you for your help.

LinaG2 wrote

on Jan 30, 2010 4:34 PM

First of all Nancy, don't beat yourself up over it...I am sure it is fine.  From what you are explaining however, it does seem that that preferation line is probably where your seam should be if you created two separate pieces.  I don' t know too much about that cus I don't do purses, but I am sure there are lots of people here who do...I think Erin does a lot of looming, but anyway, there must be some way of saving it without having to take it apart.  I know someone here will have the answer...so cheer up.

Gyspy Mary wrote

on Jan 30, 2010 9:09 PM

Welcome back Pa Nancy. The only Amulet bags I have made,I made them all in one piece. I like to be "Done" when I finish a piece.

Just a thought, maybe the "Thread" your using.?? I have friends who swear "You must use Fireline". Others say, " You must use Thread that is waxed. " It all comes down to "personal choice'. I like the softer effects of thread for Amulet Bags.

I just bet someone on here will come along and give you different choices.

AlexiaL wrote

on Jan 30, 2010 10:56 PM

Hi Nancy,

What stitch did the pattern call for? Most of the amulet bags are done in round peyote. Depending on the pattern they are done in even count round. Even if you did it in flat you would have both sides to sew up not the bottom. It would be one continous flat piece. If you could let me know who the designer is I could probably help you to fix this.

If you are using delicas and you made one piece this is why you are having a problem folding it. They tend to make the beading more stiffer. This is why I am thinking it was meant to be in the round.

Let me know the stitch you did it in and the designer and I will help you fix your problem.

Don't get upset. Everyone has been there one time or other. It can be fixed.

take care

Alexia

JSmaz wrote

on Jan 31, 2010 1:52 AM

I'm thinking Alexia is on the right track.  My first thought was perhaps you did it in flat peyote instead of tubular but I'm only guessing.

Could you tell us what book it was in?  If one of us has it we could look at the pattern to see what you're trying to make.  Also, is there any way you could take a pic of what you have so far and post it here?  Then we could see exactly what the issue is.  You can load pics directly from your computer, and they don't have to be perfect.

Keep your chin up-there has to be some way to fix it!

Edited to add:  Is it by any chance this pattern by Suzanne Cooper from her book "Dancing Light"?

I thought for sure I had this book but sadly not.  I do have 3 of her other books though-nice patterns!

Pa. Nancy wrote

on Jan 31, 2010 5:22 PM

Hi sorry I didn't  get back to you sooner. Had to take my computer to be worked on so I am just  borrowing right now, sorry no pic. I can after I get mine back in a week or  so.:(

The book came from i-bead.com it's called Beadfuddled beader Volume 4  by Amy Kupser,The Koi Pond. It calls for either peyotye (which I can't do) or brick stitch(what I did)

It can have side fringe,but I don't want that.I used size 11 delicas, which is what she uses. It is so very tight I just can't see it bending that far. Perhaps I beaded too tight? I don't know. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I've put so much time into it. I hate to have to rip it apart. :(

Thank you for your help and expertise.

AlexiaL wrote

on Jan 31, 2010 8:39 PM

Hi Nancy,

I know of the pattern you are speaking of. Very detailed pattern.

Ok, here goes. It was late last night when I posted to you and I am trying to remember what you did. If you made one continous piece, then just fold the piece in half. Meaning, take the bottom and fold it up to meet the top. You want the front to be the front. Press down and smooth the bottom of the bag with your fingers a few times. Just keep pressing and make sure the top of the front and back meet while you are pressing down. Try this and see if the bag loosens up. You might want to put fringe on the sides to hide the seams from sewing them up.

If you do another amulet bag from her book, do the brickstitch in the round. You will only have to sew up the bottom of the bag next time.

Also when using delicas your tension does not have to be super tight. Delicas make a stiff piece. Super tight tension causes to much stress on beading.

I really think you are going to be ok on this project. If you get stuck, just let me know.

take care

Alexia

Pa. Nancy wrote

on Feb 1, 2010 12:03 PM

Thank your for your help Alexia. I did mess around with it a bit last night before I read your post and it seems to be loosening up a bit. I still have about 19 rows to go. I did do it in all one piece that's where I thought I messed up at, being it just did't look like it was going to work, All that needs stitched is the one side and across the bottom

I don't know  what brick stitch in the round means, have to search that. I've been beading quite a while but only simple stuff mostly character earrings. Nothing real hard. I just loved this pattern so much, have had it for a few years and a friend finally pushed me to give it a try.

This computer is really giving me fits. lol Hard to type, letters jumping around all over. Gosh I will be happy to get my machine back, then I will post a pic for your 

Thank you! Nancy

Pa. Nancy wrote

on Feb 1, 2010 12:11 PM

Well everything I typed disappeared. I can't wait to get my own machine back. Letters keep jumping arounjd while I type.I did make it one piece that's where I  thought I made my big mistake. I played with it last night before read your post. It did seem to loosen up a bit and I do have about 19 rows left to do. Hopefully it will work.

I don't know what a round brick stitch is will have to research that When I get my machine back hopefully this weekend I will post a pic.

Thank you for all your help.

AlexiaL wrote

on Feb 1, 2010 1:36 PM

Hi Nancy,

Glad that it is working out for you. Here is a link on doing brick stitch in the round.

http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/beadbricktube.html

This way you would only have to close the bottom of the amulet. Just remember reading a pattern how many beads that are in the front is the same amount of beads in the back. If you have 40 beads in the front, you will have 40 beads in the back a total of 80 beads for the first row.

Take care

Alexia

Pa. Nancy wrote

on Feb 1, 2010 2:58 PM

Well I found the post that disappeared. lol

Alexia what an informative site, and a really neat stitch. I have a hard time reading and following directions, do better with someone showing me, but will give this a try.

My thanks again!

Nancy

JSmaz wrote

on Feb 2, 2010 8:20 AM

Aha, that makes sense.  When you bead it in brick stitch, it will be harder to bend in the direction you need, unlike doing the same thing in peyote because of the weave and how the beads lay.  Glad you were able to figure it out and that you could get it to bend.  I looked up the pattern and it is very nice.  Good luck getting it finished and learning tubular brick stitch.  It's not too bad if you can already to flat brick.

Pa. Nancy wrote

on Feb 2, 2010 7:21 PM

Thanks Jeni.(that's my dd's name) I think it is because of the stitch that is the problem. It did state in the directions that it can be done in brick. I'm still having a hard time getting it to bend still working on it. I have 3 more rows to go. Then I have to figure out how  to do the fringe. I am just so excited I have gotten as far as I have. 

That website has a gorgeous hummingbird I would also like to try. So many pretty things so little time. :)

Thanks again all!

Pa. Nancy wrote

on Feb 14, 2010 9:04 PM

After all the snow we've had here in Pa. I FINALLY got out to get my computer back.

Here's a pic of the finished bag.  I LOVE it, but don't know what to do with it next. There is a bead store in my town and she has classes there. I have been watching out for the amulet bag class to learn how to finish. I am not real good at reading directions. I pick up much faster if shown. I sure hope I can get it finished. It's pretty simplistic to what you all do, but I am tickled pink with it. It's the biggest project that I've done. I do mostly delica bead earrings.

BTW it's 11,712 delica beads, not counting the handle and fringe.

JSmaz wrote

on Feb 15, 2010 1:48 AM

Nancy, that's great so far!  I wouldn't say it's simplistic at all-that's a lot of work and a fairly complex pattern to read.  I'll be excited to see how you finish it.

Since you will have to stitch the vertical side together, I think it would look really unique to find some crystals or fire polish beads and add a bit of embellishment that will not only hide the seam but look a bit like water spray/foam.  Carry that down to the bottom of the bag and perhaps into the strap as well and you'd never know it wasn't meant to be that way.  Just an idea.

Please show off the finished bag when you get it done. :)