Recently I made these little pouches. The perfect size to keep things orderly in one's handbag. I just hate stuff flying around my bag so I can't find my keys! They are so useful I'm going to make more - they are perfect gifts.
I used different fabrics for these to obtain different effects. For 3 I used vintage hessian and embellished with trim, tulle, fabric and embroidery from some of my Japanese embroidery books. The stripe fabric came from a decorating shop in Sydney, I embellished the falp with vintage trim bought at the antique markey here in Italy. The floral toile like fabric is French from St Tropez. I embellished this one with a handmade linen rose. I like the contrast in texture between the 2 fabrics and the rough look of the flower compared to the perfect look of the pouch. More images on flickr
This gorgeous cushion is made with a beautiful oatmeal coloured vintage hessian. It has been embellished with hand crocheted trim, linen, and toile applique and finished off with lovely crewel hand embroidery using Appleton wools. The applique is 'live applique' means the edges of the fabric are not turned under in order to maintain the textured feel already created by the lovely fabric and wool embroidery. Definitely for those who love texture! I thenbacked it with Cotton mid weight French toile fabric. I love this and will be doing more in this style. Next week the antique market is on so I will back searching for more lovely old fabrics! More images on flickr and Etsy.
Yeh I've finished another bag. I love this it one it worked out better than I had hoped. I made it with hessian linen which I bought from the antique market. I love the oatmeal colour and texture of the fabric. It was an old Italian flour sack.
I then decided to apply different fabric strips- different textured linen and a wool fabric. I finished off the design with crewel embroidery using lovely soft coloured Appleton wools. The bag is lined with a natural coloured linen with inside pocket and ties closed. This will go on etsy even it breaks my heart!!!! More images on flickr
As winter is on the way I starting to prepare some new accesories!!!!
This gorgeous shoulder bag is completely reversible. One side is made with a beautiful soft pink wool, embellished with linen, tulle and wool applique and finished off with a lovely navy hand embroidery. The reverse side is made with a medium to heavy weight cotton blue and beige French Toile. It is finished off with a linen pocket embroidered with a navy blue bee. With one bag it's possible to create two completely different looks.
I finished off this scarf using gorgeous Italian lace trims. The fabrics used are Italian including different very soft wools combined with vintage off white linen. The floral applique is vintage and was bought in the antique markets. The scarf is also hand embroidered to finish it off! More images on flickr
Here are a couple more cushions I made using mum's beautiful crewel embroidery pieces. I just love them.
I'd like you to meet Hooty so very cute! Yesterday I'd had a few sewing gals over and we decided to make Hooty (designed by Melly and Me). We didn't quite finish as we had 5 mad little ones running wild in the apartment and I had to understand the pattern and translate into Italian for them! I finished mine when Lulu went to sleep. I used a Laura Ashley floral for his body, Japanese fabric for his breast and wings and linen for his eyes.
To anyone who's ever wanted to make a softies I highly recommend Melly and Me patterns. Besides designing incredibly cute creatures the patterns and instructions are very clear and actually work!!! I've tried to make dogs etc but have always been frustrated because they never turn out like the image, instead I think Hooty turned out quite well. Oh and not to mention it's the first time I've actually enjoyed making a softie. My sister told me I could do it if I used their pattern and she was right. If you remember a while back she made Melly and Me's dog Fido and he's beautiful. Stay tuned because when I see the girls again at our next meeting I'm going to photograph their finished Hootys and then maybe we'll make Hooty's friend Tweet!
How beautiful are these embroideries. They are crewel embroideries with wonderful Appleton wools on antique linen. Of course they are our mother's wonderful handy work she is amazing. Her stitching is always impeccable. I found these (and a few more) tucked away in a box when I was home in Sydney. I told mum it was such a shame so I took them and have made them up into cushions. These are going on Etsy. I have a few more to finish off so check back in a week or so. More images on flickr.
These pretty gift sets are perfect for a baby shower, new born or even Christmas. The girl set includes a Cotton singlet, bib, burp cloth and basket - great for keeping creams, cotton buds, nappies etc. The boy set includes a hand towel - great to use as a change mat, bib, burp cloth and basket - great for keeping creams, cotton buds, nappies etc.
All are made with high quality beautiful cotton and linen fabrics. The basket is lined for strength and hand embroidered.
I particularly love the containers with co-ordinating embroidery, may have to make some more!!!!
