The stuffing involved filling the little lotus leaves with stuffing - I used polyester - and cording the outlines of the leaves - I used 8 ply knitting cotton.I pierced the back of the spaces to be stuffed with my very fine stiletto, then used a bone laying-tool to push the stuffing in. It was amazing how much went in!
Having finished that, I decided the outer leaves shouldn't have been padded, so removed the padding from those, corded the outer edges and then embroidered the leaves.
I had tried several different stitches in the centre but was unhappy with all of them, so dug out a stash of small shells with holes for threading, selected a tiny operculum and stitched it in the centre.
Finally happy, I blocked the piece overnight.
In the morning I hand-appliqued it to the bag we were given on enrolment in the Guild's Summer School. These were shopping bag size, of maroon cotton and lined.
On the back I appliqued the 20cm sampler I made last year under Barbara's tutelage.
In South Australia we pay a deposit on all plastic carry bags at supermarkets - so we all carry reusable shopping bags.I know I will use this bag for quite a while to come.
The colour of the bag is less red than shows here. I have taken the photo many times, but have not yet succeeded in taking one I am happy with.
The bag, however, pleases me no end!
2 comments:
I think this is a very appropriate pairing of bag and class projects! I agree that the outer leaves look best with the stitching as you have done them. Excellent finish, Jillian, congratulations!
They have come together well in the bag. So useful too. I wish that Victoria would do the same thing with shopping bags because I am quite sick of having to pick them up when they blow along the road and into our drive on a regular basis.
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