Embroidered bags 1 of 3

I subscribe to more stitching magazines than I could possibly keep up with in terms of stitching projects. As well as giving me lots of ideas and energy, every issue or two most of them have a gem of a project that triggers must-do instincts. One such project was Stitched Treasures by Ann Francene Dimmer in Vol.20 No.11 of Creative Embroidery and Cross Stitch Magazine.


These bags are stitched on denim, and lined with a print. I have several metres of denim in my stash and a quite a few crocheted medallions and small doilies I purchased from Portobello Gypsy a while back (her Etsy store is closed at the moment while she is on holiday) and I thought these would fit well with this project.

Then ... a pair of my old jeans pulled away at the seam - not repairable; the pattern fitted, so I was in business.
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I cut out three bag fronts and backs from the jeans. Two backs utilised pockets. I arranged a few of the crocheted medallions on each of the fronts. I thought I would try the first bag using mostly applique.

I added, however a twining stem chain stitch in three shades of green whipped together - one of the stitch play techniques I have been wanting to try from Mary Corbet's blog.

I am happy with the end result and was inspired to try more stitching on the next two bags. This orange piece is the largest crocheted piece I have from Portobello Gypsy and should, I think, be allowed to dominate.

I added wadding, and also put in a zip, the latter not in the original pattern, but makes the bags a bit more secure. I lined it with a piece of screenprinted linen I had in my stash.





















Voila! A useful bag for a granddaughter for Christmas.