There are a couple of things I get excited about - bags I make (duh), vintage sheets, and hand stitched applique. You can imagine my excitement over this, my latest bag, which combines all three. Oh my lordy! I LOVE it!!
It all started with coming up with something to do with my hands during the 'little lamberts sports fest' last weekend. There's no way I was going to all of that without some sort of hand work in my bag. With my basket of vintage sheet scraps still on the dining room floor from making the springy patchwork stripey bag, I decided to delve into the basket again. Using the stencil I made from this pillow, I traced the design on some muslin, then pinned that onto a pale printed pillowcase. As I sat on the sidelines and in the bleachers, I stitched and snipped, stitched and snipped.
By evening I had a most stunning applique flower (if I do say so myself!). When I started this project, I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to make with the flower, so then I started another one. What can I say, I get addicted to hand stitching.
It didn't take long before I decided to turn my flower into a bag. I wanted to make tote bag, but something a little nicer than just a plain tote. I used my Nanette tote pattern, but changed up the bottom making it more rounded. I did it on the fly - I had no idea if it would look right or not. Thankfully, it was exactly what I was going for.
The top, straps, and lining were smooth sailing - I used the colors in the flower as my guide. The entire bag is made from my vintage sheets with a layer of muslin backing both the exterior and lining. I LOVE how this bag feels - soft, smushy, yet sturdy.
I made this bag for a friend who recently helped me out. I can't wait to give it to her - my fingers are crossed that she likes it as much as I do!! Don't be surprised if you see another one (or two) of these in the shop in the near future. When I find something I enjoy making as much as this, I can't stop myself!
