(6mm) all around the circle, tack (baste) and then press.
8 Place the bag front piece right side up on a flat surface and using the picture on the previous page as a guide position the stitchery circle. Once you are happy with the position glue or pin in place and then stitch using a blind hem stitch.
9 Take the two pieces for the drawstring casing and press 1⁄4in (6mm) under on all four sides of both pieces. On a flat surface and with the right side of the bag front and back pieces facing up, centre the drawstring casing about 11⁄4in (3.2cm) down from the top edge of both pieces (see Fig 1). Stitch the casing in place with hand blanket stitch down the two long sides using two strands of aged red.
10 Take the bag outer and with right sides together and using a 1⁄4in (6mm) seam allowance stitch around three sides leaving the top open (Fig 2). Take the brown check bag lining pieces cut earlier and with right sides together and a 1⁄4in (6mm) seam allowance, stitch around three sides leaving about 3in (7.6cm) open in one of the sides.
11 With right sides together place the bag inside the lining and stitch along the top edges to join them together making sure you match side seams. Turn the bag through the gap so the right side is now facing outwards and slipstitch the opening closed. Press the bag lightly. Because the lining was cut longer than the outer bag it will fall to the outside, giving a nice contrasting band at the top edge of the bag.
12 Cut the cord in half and starting from the left side of the bag, thread one piece of cord through the front casing and then the back casing. Repeat with the other piece of cord but start from the right side (Fig 3). Finish by tying a knot in the end of each pair of cords so they cannot pull out of the casing when the bag is in use.
Tip
Using a large safety pin will help you thread the cord through the casing easily. Place the safety pin into the end of the cord and feed the safety pin into and along the casing. Remove the pin and repeat for the other length of cord.
Working the stitchery
Use the information in the panel below to work the stitcheries on the bag, needle case and scissor keeper. Transfer the stitchery designs on to the right side of the fabric you have chosen for the stitchery background, ensuring that there is plenty of space between each of the designs to cut apart once the stitching has been completed. Once all embroidery is complete press carefully.
I used Cosmo threads but DMC equivalent codes have been suggested below. Two strands of thread were used, unless otherwise stated. See Embroidery Stitches in the Techniques section for how to work the stitches. The stitches used were (abbreviations in brackets): backstitch (BS), blanket stitch (BKS), French knot (FK), lazy daisy (LD), running stitch (RS) and satin stitch (SS). If you want to add names or wording of your own use backstitch. An alphabet template is provided in the Template section.
Stitchery Threads
• Ginger (DMC 3031)
Outline wheelbarrow (BS)
Hollyhock stems (BS)
Line under house (BS)
Window frames (BS)
Date (BS)
• Salmon pink (DMC 224)
Hollyhocks, left side (BKS)
Dots on flowers on hill (FK)
Centre dots in right-hand hollyhock (FK)
• Dirty mauve (DMC 317)
Dots and name on scissor holder (FK & BS)
Name on needle case (BS)
Dashed lines on outer borders (RS)
• Black (DMC 310)
Line above wheelbarrow (BS)
Bird legs and beaks (BS)
Bird eyes (FK)
Line above bird on scissor holder (BS)
Scrolls below heart on watering can (BS)
Dashed line under wheelbarrow (RS)
• Aged red (DMC 221)
Birds (BS)
All hearts (SS)
Hollyhock closest to house (BKS)
Dots either side of name (FK)
Centre dots on left-hand hollyhock (FK)
Dashed line under top line of garden (RS)
• Moss green (DMC 730)
Watering can (BS)
Hollyhock leaves (BS & RS)
Leaves on hill (LD)
Daisy stems (BS)
Daisy leaves (LD)
Grey (DMC 646)
Daisy centres (FK)
Smoke (BS)
Alphabet, single strand (BS)
• Petrol blue (DMC 924)
Daisies (LD)
Chimney (BS)
Hollyhock Needle Case
This delightful needle case is not only decorative but is certain to be well used, with a felt needle holder and small pockets for holding various sewing accessories.
You will need…
• Dark brown print for case outer 8in × 12in (20.3cm × 30.5cm)
• Brown floral print for lining 8in × 12in (20.3cm × 30.5cm)
•
