Tan check for inner pocket 6in × 10in (15.2cm × 25.4cm)
• Two strips of brown floral 1in × 101⁄2in (2.5cm × 26.7cm) for ties
• Dark brown floral for binding 11⁄4in (3.2cm) wide × area around case
• Scraps of blue, brown and dark brown floral and blue check
• Ginger wool for roof and needle holder 41⁄2in (11.4cm) square
• Double-sided iron-on interfacing 8in × 12in (20.3cm × 30.5cm)
• Stranded embroidery cotton (floss): ginger, salmon pink, dirty mauve, black, aged red, moss green, grey and petrol blue (I used Cosmo threads but DMC equivalents are suggested in the instructions)
• Fusible web
• Fine-tipped fabric marking pen in brown
• Fusible stabilizer (optional)
• Light box (optional)
• Tacking (basting) glue (optional)
Finished size:
43⁄4in × 61⁄2in (6.5cm × 12cm)
Working stitchery and appliqué
1 Use the relevant templates given in Templates at the back of the book. Follow the instructions in the Hollyhock Cottage Bag project to create the appliqué (steps 1–4) and work the stitchery for the exterior and interior of the case. The wheelbarrow on the inside of the case is embroidered in the same way as the wheelbarrow on the outside, with space to add wording of your choice. Gently press your work.
Making the case
2 Trim the stitchery to 41⁄2in × 6in (11.4cm × 15.2cm). Turn the edges under, tack (baste) in place and press gently. Trim the interior stitchery to 23⁄4in × 43⁄4in (7cm × 12cm). Turn the edges under, tack in place and press gently. Place aside for later.
3 From dark brown print cut a piece 61⁄2in × 91⁄2in (16.5cm × 24.1cm) for the case outer. From brown floral print cut a piece 61⁄2in × 91⁄2in (16.5cm × 24.1cm) for the case lining. From tan check cut a piece 51⁄2in × 91⁄2in (14cm × 24.1cm) for the inner pocket. From the ginger wool cut a piece for the needle holder 21⁄4in × 31⁄4in (5.7cm × 8.2cm).
4 Press the needle case outer piece in half to become 61⁄2in × 43⁄4in (16.5cm × 12cm). Position the house stitchery on the front of the case and pin in place (see Fig 1).
Making the prairie points
5 Cut ten 1in (2.5cm) squares from assorted fabrics and press into triangles following Fig 2.
6 Position five prairie points along the top and five along the bottom of the stitchery, with the raw bottom edges of the points under the stitchery. Stitch down using a blind hem stitch.
7 Bond the needle case outer with its stitchery design on to one side of the double-sided adhesive interfacing (I used Pellon Peltex).
Making the inner pocket
8 Take the 51⁄2in × 91⁄2in (14cm × 24.1cm) pocket piece and fold it in half lengthwise. Press and then divide the left-hand half into three (Fig 3) (remembering there will be a 1⁄4in/6mm seam at each end). Press lightly to mark the thirds.
9 Using Fig 4 below, position the inner pocket stitchery and stitch in place.
Working the appliqué
10 Trace around the heart template three times on to the paper side of fusible web, leaving about 1⁄2in (1.3cm) around each heart. Fuse the hearts on the centre of each third of the pocket (Fig 4) – remembering that there will be a 1⁄4in (6mm) seam at the bottom of the pocket (see Fusible Web Method in the Techniques section).
11 When the appliqué is fused into place, use two strands of embroidery thread to work blanket stitch around the edges of the shapes.
Making the needle case inner
12 Take the needle case lining cut previously and position the pocket, pinning it in. Work a running stitch with two strands of petrol blue stranded cotton on the crease lines of each pocket to divide them.
13 Position the previously cut ginger wool for the needle holder and pin in place. Using two strands of ginger thread work blanket stitch around the edge to hold in place. Gently press your work.
14 Bond the needle case lining with its pockets to the other side of the adhesive interfacing.
Making the ties
15 Fold one of the tie strips in half lengthwise, right sides together. Machine stitch across one of the short sides and the entire long side. Turn through to the right side. Repeat with other strip.
16 Position the ties facing inwards, aligning raw edges and pin in place (Fig 5). The ties will get stitched into place as you add the binding.
Binding the case
17 Cut the binding 11⁄4in (3.2cm) wide on the straight of the grain. Join strips to make the necessary length to go around the case and then press in 1⁄4in (6mm) down the length of the binding. Bind the edge following the directions
