The Waxed Cooper Bag

2018 was a crazy year. Some real highs and some devastating lows. The breaking point came in September when my activities were brought to a screeching halt due to a heart attack, a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress cardiomyopathy. Though my activities now center around rehab, exercise and doctors appointments and I have very little me time, I am enjoying the relative calm. So I have returned to some unfinished projects and some that I had on my sewing bucket list.

The Cooper from Colette

On my sewing bucket list was making a waxed bag. I purchased this bag pattern from Colette about 4 years ago. It is the Cooper. It can be made up as a bike pannier, a backpack or messenger bag. I chose to make the backpack but my next one will be the messenger bag.

The Cooper pattern and Otter Wax

The bag was not difficult to make. I chose linen and denim mainly to see how the tones would change when I applied wax to the surface. The pattern itself is well thought out. The packaging is elegant and the description/instructions are clear. I traced the pattern pieces onto lightweight cardboard to preserve the pattern in it's original form. I talk about Colette patterns and sustainability in an earlier blog post.  (*note: this pattern is only available in digital format)

The Cooper has lots of pockets

This was my first time using magnetic snaps. I was surprised at how easy they were to set. I don't know how well they will hold if the bag is packed. Something I may consider for my next stab at this is to use old fashioned leather straps and buckles to keep the bag closed and secure. It won't be as easy to open but then the chances of it popping open on it's own would be lessened.

The interior lining has even more pockets! When lining the bag was complete I began the waxing process. I used half a bar of Otter Wax on this bag. The bar is rubbed directly onto the fabric and then I used a heat gun on a low setting to melt the wax into the fabric. I don't know if it is waxed enough to be waterproof but it is definitely stiffer and the colors darkened, though not as much as I had expected or wished. All in all it was a great project and a pattern that I would return to again and again.

Costuming for Alice in Wonderland

Reta Callahan and Richard Arp as the Queen and King of Hearts

For the past year I have been the costume designer for Wolf Creek Players, a small community theatre in Dysart Iowa. This past February we staged a performance of Alice in Wonderland based on the 1915 Alice Gerstenberg adaptation of the story by Lewis Carroll. It was the first time Alice in Wonderland was performed on Broadway.

 

Garrett Ryan, Jana Ryan and Sandi Hulst as the 6 of Spaces, Alice and the Duchess

This was my last contribution to this theatre. The costuming was a great challenge given a limited budget and, as can be expected, time constraints. But the task was an enjoyable one and the finished garments were quite stunning, if I may say so. The role of the costume in a theatrical production is to help transform the actor into their character. I think I did my job.


 

Ryan Riefenstall as the Knave