What Are You Stitching?

Sometimes we stitch a design because we know it will look stunningly beautiful hanging on a wall. Other times we choose projects that have a practical purpose so that we can get both aesthetic and utilitarian pleasure from them. Bags are one such item that have that dual benefit. It is why they are often a popular choice, with no two bags alike. This week we’re featuring a few wonderfully creative bags created by our community to help get your ideas flowing:

Catherine Taffinder

‘I was taught how to do embroidery by a nun at the school I attended a long time ago. I have recently taken it up again and I am absolutely loving it.’

‘Here are some tote bags I have completed. The red bag has a denim appliquéd flower on it with some bead work in the centre. I only learnt how to use a sewing machine this year so I am still just doing the basics.’

These certainly are both lovely and very useful projects, Catherine. Judging by the quality of your construction and finish, no-one would ever know you’ve only just begun mastering the sewing machine. We look forward to seeing what other creative wonders you produce as your confidence grows!

Joan Tonon

‘I have just completed my fourth bag to add a little beauty to the chore of supermarket shopping. After making one of these bags for myself and seeing the delight of my family, I have been thrilled to make different designs for each of my daughters.’

What a fantastic project idea, Joan! Your beautifully embroidered bag certainly leaves all other shopping bags in the pale. We can certainly see how it would make shopping that much more enjoyable.

Lyn Williams

‘I designed and completed this project whilst doing Intermediate Goldwork with Alison Cole.’

‘Ten years ago, my mother brought me a bag frame that had been in a box of my grandmother’s things. She told me that if I didn’t want it, she would throw it out as it was only plastic. As it was from my grandmother, that made it special so of course I kept it. It turns out it was not plastic but celluloid, and it dates back to between 1910 to 1920.’

‘I was so pleased with the finished piece as I had never made a bag like this before and I felt my grandmother would have been pleased with it too.’

Wow that is a spectacular piece Lyn, we’re sure your grandmother would have loved it too. This whole project, from the embroidery to the bag construction, is exquisite. We hope that you get to show it off every chance you get.

Marietta Brown

‘I was delighted to see a baby diaper bag in a recent newsletter and I felt I should send you a picture of mine. I made it for my granddaughter, who is now 9 years old. I had such fun making this project.’

How lovely to see the project not just completed, but well used and still going strong. Thank you for sharing, Marietta, we love it.

Do you like making practical things? Do you enjoy turning your embroidery into something that you can take out with you, whether for a daily shopping trip or an extra special occasion or evening out? Or do you prefer to keep your finished projects on the wall or in a cabinet?

However you like to display your work, we’d like to see it. Send us a picture of your project with a bit of information about it and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com