Project:
A late medieval "pilgrim bag" for myself.

For my pilgrim bag, I wanted to go with a more distinctive and essentially 15th century look, rather than the simpler style of my husband's bag. My bag is also smaller, but it's ideally sized to hold the items I normally carried around in a basket. It is entirely hand sewn with a hand-spun linen thread, and is made of a butter cream-colored, 12.5 oz hemp canvas, and lined with an off white linen with a stripe pattern in the weave.
How I made it:
In general terms of construction, the lining on my bag included an extra and slightly changed technique than the first bag, but I used the same types of stitches. My bag consists of 3 pieces and the strap, with linings on the interior of the bag and the back of the flap.
Since I wanted to use the Elizabethan seam again, I was able to add the lining and deal with the seam allowances at the same time. I wanted the bottom of the bag to have some double curve shaping, so I layered the front and back pieces (both the canvas and linen), folded them in half, and cut out a curve from the fold.
Then I quickly straight-stitched each of the panels, to attach the lining and canvas together, leaving a gap to turn in inside out. I clipped the corners and curves to get the best results when I turned it right-side out. I then stitched another run of straight-stitch around to secure the two layers. In this way, I already took care of the seam allowances, and could proceed with whip stitching the panels together.
The flap, which I also shaped, was completed the same way, except that I used an overcast stitch on the edge to finish it, rather than a running stitch.
After I put it together, I decided that the strap was just a little too long. I unstitched one end of the strap and shortened it also about 2". This corrected it perfectly.
What I think of it:
Once again, I'm jazzed to have another really nice, hand-made piece under my belt. I like the bag, and that I was able to introduce some stylization without too much thought. I think the butt curves are sexy. :) I questioned as I worked on it whether I wanted to just but my Evergreen award on it (and where to put it), but I like the statement it makes. I left the other curve free for a pewter badge I've got my eyes on. I'm reserving judgement on how well it works out for me until I get to actually take it to an event, but it fits my embroidery frame perfectly- just as intended.
You can see all the photos from this project in the Flickr set, or on Facebook!
Long time lurker. Formerly of the Midrealm, then Atlantia, though I recently moved to the East. My baroness & I were recently talking about pilgrim's bags, as a way to use some stripey fabric in her stash, and I found your posts, as always, enjoyable and informative.
ReplyDeleteA great post. I want to make a bag like these myself, as i see how practical it is. I see reenactors use these all the time, but I can't find any sources on these? At least not for the later 15th century. Do you have any link to these manuscipts? Best Regards.
ReplyDeleteI used the period examples at Larsdatter.com (http://www.larsdatter.com/pilgrims-bags.htm) for my source inspiration. I always wear mine now, and it has been extremely useful. I don't think I could go back to not using it now!
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