Another Denim Bag

When I made denim bags for my granddaughters for Christmas, my daughter indicated she would like one too. Serendipitously, as her birthday approached, another pair of my longsuffering jeans gave out along a couple of seams - a sign it was time to make more bags!

The first of these bags is for Katherine's birthday.

The original pattern I used (Stitched Treasures by Ann Francene Dimmer in Vol.20 No.11 of Creative Embroidery and Cross Stitch)  had a rounded and a squared version. I thought the squared version might be more useful to an adult.

As before, I wanted to use the back pocket of the jeans as a pocket on the outside of the bag. The pockets are placed a bit high on the jeans, but still useful for an accessible pocket on the bag.

I have collected a few more doilies and crocheted medallions since I made the last of these bags, so had a choice of embellishment.

I settled for a base doily in a very open work pattern, and a cluster of round medallions as my base. I appliqued these down by hand using machine thread, but decided to add some stitches using embroidery thread.

I found I could get some dimensional effects by stitching around the threads connecting the various rounds of the medallions. The effects on the large, lacy doily were more subtle.

I then began to build up layers of embroidered wheels of various kinds around the other side of the applique.

Rather than thinking garden and flowers, I began to think planets and spheres, space, night sky and Earth.

I made it up as I went along, adding and tinkering.





Eventually, satisfied with the result, I added a zip, joined the seams and created a handle.

For lining I used a length of kimono fabric in a denim-y blue.I included an inner pocket in the lining.



I am pleased to say the bag turned out well and was much appreciated by the recipient.

Hexagon Centres: Inside out wheel flowers

In between updates on the progress of the long rows of my hexagon quilt, I will put together a few of the hexagons centre embroidery motifs I have added. The embroidered centres are a little treat to keep me going on the long journey to join the hexagons.

The hexagon centres in this post are embroidered with variations of Mary Corbet's inside out button-hole wheel flowers. I have not added her inside row of buttonhole stitch in these examples.

Again, I like the flexibility of this stitch. It allows for considerable colour variation and also adds texture without bulk or likelihood of catching. It is very relaxing and a lot of fun to match the colours and variations to the fabric.