Quality scrap-bustin’ that is! The word scrap doesn’t and shouldn’t be associated with a gorgeous piece of turquoise silk and some beautiful vintage cottons. But scrap-bustin’ it is until I think of something else!
This little zipper pouch was inspired by a combination of prompts. I often frighten myself with all the intended ‘must-have-a-go-ofs’ that lurk in the back of my brain. The first to come to the fore, was a spot of free-motion embroidery. I spotted some lovely work by @thebobbinbird on twitter and that certainly set the ball in motion. I also needed a way of saying ‘thank you’ to my colleague’s mum who kindly donated a sack load of zips to me! (I’m not kidding about the sack. I’m still bringing them home a handful at a time because they weigh a tonne!) And I have been itching, for so long, to incorporate these tiny pieces of beautiful fabric, into a worthwhile project.
Now this is of course free-motion embroidery in the loosest sense! I pinned the tangerine-print butterfly pieces to the silk, lowered the feed-dog and using Sulky metallic thread and an embroidery foot, I ‘walked’ the stitches, free style, around the butterfly wings and to draw the curly antennae. I really loved the process, as I thought I would, and I’d love to be more adventurous next time. Perhaps even incorporate the technique on a garment or two!
I love the free nature of it all. The wonky lines and the fraying edges and the grain of the fabric. Quite a relief from some of the more precise methods usually employed in dressmaking. And oh how those colours pop!
I had to use one of the millions of zips, of course! Would have been daft not to! And I covered the ends of the zip to act as stoppers and also because I had cut the length of the zip to fit.
The lining is a gorgeous vintage printed quilting cotton. Again part of another generous donation to me from a lovely friend and neighbour. I made small hand stitches around the opening edge to make sure it didn’t get caught in those rather hefty teeth!
And the superstition bit? Well I’m not entirely sure how Mrs J will use this pouch. She may well use it as a purse so to be on the safe side I’m including a shiny penny to ensure good luck and prosperity. It is bad luck to give an empty one. Does anyone else do this or is it just me… and my mum who made me believe this?!
I think you may be seeing a lot of zippered projects to come. But if you have seen or employed any innovative uses recently I’d be very interested to hear about them!
That’s very pretty! How lovely to be gifted all those fab zips too.
Thanks Fiona. Very lucky indeed π
A beautiful pouch…and I alway put silver in a new purse. You’re not alone.
Thank you. Its so very reassuring that in 2013 so many still do the same. Just can’t kick some habits!
Unless I’m very much mistaken the print fabric you used for the lining is a Laura Ashley print from the late 70s early 80s. Memories!!
Thank you. Love knowing that!
I love a bit of free motion embroidery – very liberating.
I too always put a coin inside a purse because my Mum told me to. However, she’s not always to be trusted as she told me the colour green is unlucky and I spent years avoiding it until she told me it was because, one day, she had her purse stolen and it was while she was wearing a green coat!!
Haha! Yes my mum has given me a fear of green cars. It’s interesting how few green cars are out there. Wonder if other mums have the same idea? And what is it with green?!
So pretty!
Purses given as gifts in our family always have a coin in too. π
Thank you Tania. Glad I’m not the only crazy one!
Oh so pretty! Now do you know about steam a seam? It’s this awesome double sided fusible that you can use to stick applique peces down. t makes it SOOO much easier. There’s also one called Vliesofix, which is dry. Good but the tacky steamaseam means you can position the pieces like a postit note before pressing permanently. AND have you seen those zipper roses? A wonderful way to use them. And zippers make wonderful piping too. I am so envious, I LOVE metal zippers! xo
Thank you MrsC. I did buy some of that fusible stuff. So long ago I can’t remember what I did with it! So I refused to buy any more. Must search harder! Please DM me your address @Ooobop on Twitter. I’d love to share some of these zips with you x
This is beautiful π Simple and elegant applique, and such a great way to use scraps! Wouldn’t mind your zipper stash either π
Thank you Siri. Are you on Twitter? if you DM me your address @Ooobop, I’d love to share some with you π
Gorgeous! The best kind of scrap busting.
I always put a small coin in a purse too. x
Thank you Rosy. I must do it more often.
It’s beautiful! What a wonderful gift and I can’t believe you got all of those zips. My mum taught me about adding a silver coin to a new purse and I do it every time I give one as a gift.
Thank you Claire. Sometimes flowers or chocolates don’t seem quite right!
Oh, how lovely! Gorgeous fabric, gorgeous colours. I love your machine embroidery! I’ve been wanting to try that for ages, but haven’t been brave enough yet. Maybe you’ll inspire me to give it a go. π
Thanks so much Kat. I think you would like it. Its very quick and satisfying. You don’t have to worry about the lines being perfect. Its all about that ‘hand-drawn’ style. Such a tiny first step but I’d love to try a bigger collage!
We were told to give a coin when giving a knife as a present, so as not to cut the friendship.
Yes I heard that giving knives where unlucky gifts too. Though I’m pretty sure I’ve never given one as a present.
I do the same when giving purses – in fact my whole family do. We wrap the penny or coin in sellotape so the receiver doesn’t spend it inadvertently. My mum also believes it’s bad luck to buy your own purse too. Gorgeous purse though – well done!
Thanks Joanne. Oh no. I don’t think I’ll be able to buy my own purse now. Oh well. Another project on the list!
This came out very nice!
Thanks Gjeo! x
Very pretty and yep I include a penny in a new purse, My Mum would be furious with me if I didn’t.
Thanks Jeanette. It makes me wonder just how many superstitious things hold me to ransom!
Holy crap, i wish someone would give me a sack of zippers… that’s AWESOME!! I love the little pouch! Never heard of the penny superstition, but it will eventually get hard to do that here anyway, because pennies got discontinued!! π