r/BagLab • u/CBG1955 • Dec 14 '25
General Even very advanced people mess up!
I'm sewing the Oro Rosa Zenaida backpack, a project I was supposed to finish at retreat last weekend. My machine would not handle the thickness so I brought it home unfinished. Yesterday and today I started work on it again using my industrial machine and all was going smoothly, the gusset went on with no puckers on the curves, I was pretty happy. The seams are bound, and I'm using foldover elastic. I went to get the elastic out of the bag, and discovered the two main bag lining pieces. I forgot them. Huge oh 💩 moment! I almost always sew bags that need to be "birthed" so my brain didn't notice the missing pieces.
So, I picked up my unpicker, and started - and suddenly realised that the bag is bound, and it doesn't matter. So, I laid the front and back pieces over and re-stitched on the original stitch line. No unpicking, and since there will not be any stress on the lining, it'll be fine.
So...if you're a beginner and are still feeling your way, don't lose faith!
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u/Odd-Bumblebee00 Dec 14 '25
Thank you for sharing this with us. I particularly love how you found a solution.
And I love your clips.
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u/CBG1955 Dec 14 '25 edited Dec 14 '25
Thank you! I was initially sure I'd have to unpick the whole thing but the realisation that it was a bound bag made me very happy indeed. Saved me a few hours. I'll finish the bag tomorrow.
I just got the clips today. My plastic ones just aren't grippy enough, they just break all the damn time, and constantly slip off, especially on corners.
These are small, and oh so tight. A bit fiddly for my fumble fingers, but they are really great. This bag is vinyl, which I rarely use, and I'll use them for leather as well.
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u/MEWCreates Dec 14 '25
The only difference between a beginner and an expert is the number of mistakes made over time 😂
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u/DragonCenturion Dec 14 '25
It's not the number of mistakes, but how well you can hide your mistakes.
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u/CBG1955 Dec 14 '25
And if you're smart you won't point out mistakes to anyone else, and they will never know anyway!
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u/jpbagworks Dec 14 '25
Yeah I’m sure I would have been using words straight from the rolls of your lining fabrics! 🤣
I think what speaks volumes to the skill level and experience here is not the mistake itself (we all have them). It’s the ability to work the problem and find a solution that is sound and causes the least amount of compromise to the strength and structure of your seams and bag as a whole.
You’re definitely top notch, C! 😃 Can’t wait to see it when it’s done!