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Instructions and Charts

Compliments of Judi Kauffman

It's exciting to be featured as "Designer of the Month" for the Caron Collection. I thought it would be fun to create something that combines two of my favorite techniques, foundation piecing and embroidery. I like to make my projects versatile so I designed this elegant little drawstring pouch to be used for jewelry or as an evening bag. You can even change the size by enlarging or reducing the basic pattern. Tiny pouches are perfect for earrings. Larger pouches are good if you don't like a small purse.

Customize the design by changing fabric and thread colors to suit your taste. For example, use all ivory, white and cream tones and it would be perfect for a wedding. Or use all deep rich colors for winter and New Year's Eve. The same design would make an elegant pillow or pincushion (change the shape to a square or rectangle). Adjust the number and size of the flowers as desired.

There are only a few basic stitches involved so it's a good project for beginners. The sparkle of the Rachelette and the subtle color changes in the Watercolours are the most exciting part of the design! I chose a Victorian-influenced palette of golds, mauves, peach, aqua and olive but any color combination would work. Don't worry about making them "realistic" unless you want a natural look. Add beads, buttons and charms for extra dimension and sparkle -- I put three long bugle beads (salvaged from an old dress) next to one of the roses.

Materials:

  • Fabric scraps (shown: velvet, Ultrasuede, brocade and silk)
  • Backing fabric -- 9 x 11" piece
  • Lining fabric -- two 9 x 11" pieces
  • Fun-dation transluscent quilt block piecing material* -- 9 x 11" piece
  • Sewing thread to match fabric
  • Two different colors of Rachelette (shown: A-21 spider web roses, A-48 French knot leaves)
  • Three different colors of Watercolours (shown: African Sunset Spider web roses and French knot flower clusters, Antique Brass & Pine Forest knotted loops and French knot leaves)
  • Chenille needle #18 and 20, Bead needle
  • One color Antica (shown: AT8 couched tendrils)
  • Petite glass seed beads (shown: Mill Hill #42011 Gold)
  • 4 glass flowers, 1 large, 3 small (shown: Mill Hill Crystal Treasures #13007 and #12010)
  • Ten leaf beads (shown: Beadery plastic leaves)
  • Optional: buttons, charms, other beads (shown: three large bugle beads from an old dress!)
  • Rattail or twisted cord, 30" (44" additional for shoulder purse strap)
  • Fray check
  • *Fun-dation available from HTC Handler Textiles, call 800-666-0335 if you can't find it at your local craft or sewing retailer)
  •  

    Piece together the pattern below matching up the blue center lines.

     

    Instructions:

    1. Using pencil or permanent fabric marker trace foundation piecing pattern onto Fun-dation transluscent quilt block piecing material. Do not use paper. Fun-dation material will be left inside project as a stabilizer.

    2. Follow general foundation piecing directions below to complete front of purse. Cut shape along dotted line.

    3. Following color key and diagram, embroider flowers, leaves and couched tendrils. Use chenille needles for all embroidery.

    4. Use sewing thread doubled in needle to sew on beads, charms and any embellishments you choose to add.

    5. Tear/trim Fun-dation material away EXCEPT under the embroidered areas.

    6. Place front and backing fabric together right sides facing. Sew along seam line. Trim seam allowance to 1/4" and clip curves. Turn right sides out.

    7. Sew lining fabrics together, right sides facing. Leave a 3" opening at the bottom to use for turning project. Leave right sides together. Trim seams and clip curves (except at 3" opening).

    8. Place the lining (which remains wrong side out) OVER the purse (which is right side out) and baste top edge. Sew top edge on seam line. Turn project right side out through opening in lining. Sew lining closed and place it inside the purse. Lightly press top edge so lining does not show.

    9. Holding rattail (or cord) 5/8" from top edge, make small loops OVER rattail/cord every 1/2" with Watercolours. This loop edging forms the "casing" used to gather the top of the purse. See diagram.

    10. Tie a knot at the cut end of each tail of rattail/cord. Dot with Fray Check so ends won't fray.

    11. For an evening bag, add a shoulder strap cord secured inside purse at sides. Length will vary depending on height of person (44" is a nice length if you're not sure).

     

    General Foundation Piecing Directions:

    Machine stitch 12 stitches per inch. OPTION: Project can be pieced by hand if desired

    Reminder: Since you are building the block from the wrong side of the marked foundation, the finished block will be a MIRROR IMAGE of what appears on the drawn lines.

    1. Using ruler and pencil or fabric pen trace the block (lines and section numbers) onto Fun-dation transparent quilt block piecing material.

    2. Cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover Section 1 of the block, plus at least 1/4" seam allowance all around it. Pin this fabric to the Fun-dation with the WRONG side of the fabric against the unmarked side of the Fun-dation pattern. NOTE: YOU WILL BE WORKING FROM THE MARKED SIDE OF THE FUN-DATION WHEN YOU BEGIN TO SEW.

    3. Place fabric for Section 2 on top of Section 1, RIGHT sides together, so that both edges overlap the printed line between the two sections. Be sure fabric #2 is large enough to cover Section 2 plus a generous 1/4" allowance. To check placement before stitching, fold fabric #2 over to its right side to be sure it covers Section 2 and has seam allowances all around.

    4. Turn the Fun-dation over so you can see the printed lines of the pattern. Place the block underneath the presser foot of your sewing machine with the Fun-dation side up. Start stitching just before the printed line, stitch directly along the line and stop one or two stitches beyond the line. For stitches that meet the edge of the block, stitch just past the dotted cutting line.

    5. Carefully trim seam allowance to a scant 1/4". Fold fabric #2 to the right side to cover Section 2 on the Fun-dation. Press along seam line.

    6. Add fabric #3, aligning it right sides facing, with fabric #2. Check its placement to assure full coverage of Section 3 and stitch along the line between Sections 2 and 3 as you did in Step 4. Trim seam allowance and press.

    7. Continue with each fabric, in numerical order, until the block is completed.

    8. Finish according to instructions above.

    NOTE: Fun-dation material comes with full directions and diagrams on the package or bolt. It is sold in packages of 8-1/2 x 11 sheets as well as by the yard.

     

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