Bag therapy

As I was searching for some pieces of silk to use as lining for my pearl cases recently, I came across some of the sari scraps and Japanese kimono fabrics I did not realise I still had. I purchased these several years ago to make drawstring bags which I use to wrap presents rather than using paper. When I was working I would occasionally take a leave day to stitch the bags - my bag therapy.

Many of the fabrics came from Fabricana's Etsy Shop, and some from a variety of Japan shops. My store of bags for presents was nearly exhausted and I had checked Fabricana's shop a few times but she has been on a break for a couple of years. I was therefore excited to find that I still had a supply of fabric - and set out to use it up!






I try to work with the fabrics as they are, maximising the amount I can use. If they are sheer, as many sari fabrics are, I line them with an appropriate lining - I have a supply of satin linings purchased from a dressmaking friend who gave up her business to study.

Many of the Japanese kimono fabrics have been mended by hand. and I try to incorporate this work into the bag.

It is important, I think, to see the care and economy that went into these recycled fabrics and to maintain the tradition.

I also try to preserve the carefully folded seams and the running stitch used to keep them in place.













Once the bags are stitched, I find ribbon or cord for the drawstring, and buttons or odd earrings to attach to the ribbon ends so they don't disappear into the casing.






















It's a lot of fun finding the right ribbon and fixing.

It's a good way to use up buttons









or shells






























or earrings;

even ribbons from the Vergani Christmas Panetonne!

The bags vary from quite small,













to quite large and everything in between.


















I need a variety of sizes for a variety of presents.






Now the confession.

While checking out whether Fabricana was back in business, I came across RibbonsandSilk -  selling fat quarters from old saris from Byron Bay. To check them out, I bought three packs, which yielded 14 bags. my drive to recycle overrode my desire for economy! The pieces are more regular than Fabricana's were, and most had been nicely edged with an overlocker.

The tally? At last count it was 104 bags. This should get me through at least two or three years of gift giving. Think what I save on wrapping paper!

Makeover

I recently succumbed to temptation and ordered two embroidered cotton tops from SunnyColorsStore in Guadalajara, Mexico.  I love the colourful embroidery and the shapes suit me. When they arrived, the black one (XXL)was the right size, but the purple one (XXL/XL) was too small. I should have known better. I have found before that sizes designed to cover two sizes rarely fit me.






Angie Lopez from SunnyColorsStore was  distressed that the top did not fit and wanted to replace it. She has been very supportive and responsive. However, these were not expensive and I could not face returning it to Mexico, partly because of the fuss, partly because I did not want to part with it,  so I decided to try a make-over.

I looked for a matching purple cotton to insert but in the end, decide to go for a bright contrast rather than have an imperfect match.

'

I undid the side seams and inserted wedges of batik from Batik Fabrics Online. I had purchased it to back a cushion, but didn't use it.

While it looks a bit odd flat, I am very pleased with it when on.










It's a bit out there - just what this elderly woman needs!

I look forward to wearing it as the weather warms up - and one day buying more in the right size from SunnyColorsStore!

Canberra Shawl

I'm was on a bit of a roll with shawls this winter. It is, at the moment, my favourite thing to knit. This one was a birthday gift for a dear friend who is in the process of relocating to Canberra. I wanted this one to be soft and warm; a little bit lacy, but not enough to let the chill through.
I found a Bendigo Woollen Mills Alpaca blend that is very soft but as warm as toast.

The pattern is Sierra Breeze from The Prayer Shawl Companion.







I had plenty of wool, so kept knitting until it seemed a good length.

I blocked it lightly, to give it shape and allow the pattern to show without compromising the warmth. It took up the  length of my dining table!

It wasn't easy to get a photo of the finished item, but Veronica helped out.




Then it was off to the birthday girl, and its eventual life in Canberra.

Zenbroidery 3

The project I took to England to keep me occupied once I finished the Estense bag, was another Zenbroidery. This one is larger than the ones I have done previously - a rectangle roughly 30 cm x45 cm.

Unlike the previous one, this design is not conducive to complete coverage. The white space between the flowers and leaves needs to remain as part of the design.













Once again, I am using a pack of perle 5 thread in bright colours and making it up as I go along.











While in the hoop progress seems fast, it is useful to keep viewing it in the context of the whole!

Nevertheless, it's a lot of fun and most satisfying to just pick up, decide on a colour and a stitch and have a go. The fact that it is made up of small components provides a sense of completion in a stitching session.







I also learn a lot about colour combinations just by playing.









I'd doing this between other projects - it's very satisfying, heaps of fun and unpressured.

Not much more a girl can ask for!