In the midst of making things for Christmas (blogs of which will have to wait until after the event!) I treated myself to a project I've been itching to try - Alison Snepp's Turkmen embroidered pouch from Inspirations Magazine Issue 69.
I've been gradually gathering fabric and threads for this since I first saw it. I love the colours, the concept and the combination of stitches used.
The lining fabric Alison had used was distinctive and I couldn't find anything quite like it locally or online, but when a friend, recently returned from Indonesia, gave me, out of the blue, a piece of batik in maroons, greens and blues, my immediate thought was it would work brilliantly for this project. I had already purchased the deep red sateen base fabric and found a deep olive green cotton drill in my stash for the third piece.
The next step was where I went wrong. I think I need to go to some quilting classes to learn how to cut and join accurately, because, although I measured carefully, the three pieces did not fit together as intended. In the end, I trimmed the larger pieces to end up with a three-layered square, but the proportions of the border did not match the instructions. The border should be the same width as the green squares, so I needed to adapt the running stitch zig-zag on the border .
One of the things I enjoyed about this project is the variety. The green fabric is hand-stitched to the red, the resulting piece is machine-stitched to the lining, then the running stitch squares and border pattern are created by stitching through the three layers.
The little pinwheels are then added to some of the squares before folding the fabric to form a pouch.
Every stage is interesting and exciting, as you layer one effect on another.
You then embroider along the joins with corded blanket stitch bars and stem stitch.
The opening is finished with a cord and - the most interesting bit of all - embroidered with chain stitch in alternating colours, using a needle threaded with two colours. Magic!
The embroidered gusset - introducing a third thread colour - is a nice finishing touch, outlined in stem stitch and filled with double chain stitch (also known as turkmen stitch).
The blue and ecru tassels are as per the instructions. It was meant to have three tassels made from the red cloth also along the bottom, and one on the flap. My cloth tassel was disappointing as the fabric was not dyed on the reverse side, so I decided to substitute a red thread tassel on the flap.
I loved doing this project, and I'm really happy with the result. I intend to use it as a knitting bag.
The blue and ecru tassels are as per the instructions. It was meant to have three tassels made from the red cloth also along the bottom, and one on the flap. My cloth tassel was disappointing as the fabric was not dyed on the reverse side, so I decided to substitute a red thread tassel on the flap.
3 comments:
Its great how you show the process on your blog. I cant remember the project so will have to have another look at it LOL. I really like what you have done. katherine
That is so gorgeous. I love all the fabrics. The embroidery is so nicely varied. I admire your patience in waiting for just the right materials.
Your pouch has turned out so well. I love the batik, so pretty.
I have done that chain stitch; isn't it just magic; and so easy.
And you are so right (thanks for the comments) but being sick in the heat was awful! On the mend now so all is well. I think you had more of the heat than we did.
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