Sewyoung
Completed bag
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
 

Fabric & Stitch Embellishment for Beginners Bag Project

MATERIALS

1m each of 2 complementary fabrics
Iron-on batting
Pearle 3 or Pearle 8embroidery tread in contrasting colours
Machine Embroidery threads
Thread for construction
Button		 Bernina Accessories and feet
General Sewing Foot #1
Couching Foot #22 or #25
Freehand embroidery foot #24
Freehand couching foot #43
Edge stitch foot #10
Walking foot

CUTTING

Front and back: 2 x 35cm x 30cm in fabric A, fuse with batting
2 x 35cm x 30cm in fabric B (lining)
Pocket: 1 x 30cm x 42cm in fabric A, fuse with 30cm x 21cm batting (half of the piece)
Handles: 2 x 90cm x 22cm in fabric B, fuse with batting
2 x 90cm x 22cm in fabric A (lining)

Embellish the pocket piece through the batting leaving the single layer of fabric free as the lining. Embellish the top part of the front fabric A. See Pic 1

Fold the lining section of the pocket over the batting and topstitch the top edge with foot #10. Move the needle position to stitch about 2mm from the edge. Place pocket piece in place over the front piece, lining up the sides and bottom. Stitch together around raw edge about 1/2 cm from edge.

Attach the lining to the top and sides of this piece, trim across corners, turn right side out and press. Do the same for the back piece.

Stitch the 2 handle pieces together along the short side for both fabric A and B. Press seam open. Stitch handles and lining together along long sides, turn to right side and press. Top stitch in a pleasing manner.

Butt the front of the bag against the two ends of the same sides of the handles so that the raw edges lines up. Use foot #10 to couch it together using a fancy stitch.

Butt the back of the bag against the two ends of the other sides of the handles so that the raw edges lines up. Use foot #10 to couch it together using a fancy stitch.

Stitch the bottom of the bag closed with a French seam: Place wrong sides of bag together lining up raw edges, stitch 1cm from edge. Trim to 5mm. Turn so right sides are facing and stitch approx 7mm from edge.

Attach fastener to the top of pocket.

Techniques used in embellishing the bag

  1. Couching Perle no.5 cords with Foot #22 and #25 to fabric to accentuate detail on the fabric and on joins.
  2. Making thread medallions:
  3. Wind thread around a washer. Place under machine and freehand stitch with foot #24 to secure all the threads. Cut around outside of washer to release the threads. Use freehand couching foot #45 and Perle no.5 to secure medallions to bag.
  4. Use freehand couching foot #45 and Perle no.5 to create shapes.

    Pic 4