Seascape Bag
Last week I posted about a handwoven bag I made using one of Deborah Brunner’s patterns. This week I am highlighting another of Deborah’s patterns, Handwoven Seascape Bags. Like the previous bag, this one was created by weaving torn strips of fabric through a base made of Pearle cotton thread. Several colors of silk dupioni were used as well as some hand painted China silk and even a piece of metallic ribbon. To create the feel of underwater grass I added several different eyelash yarns. Instead of weaving the rows horizontally across I created wavy lines to simulate the underwater environment. Deborah’s patterns include instructions for embellishing the bag with silk ribbon embroidery which I did on the first bag I made (not shown). I created a second bag as a sample for a class I was teaching and on this one I used machine instead of hand embroidery. The plants were stitched from Cactus Punch’s Scenery Ingredients CD and the fish and starfish were freebies I downloaded from the internet. I also added glass beads to simulate bubbles, and the strap was made from more strung glass beads.
The back of the bag was adorned as well. The pattern includes a seaweed quilting pattern which can be stitched on the back panel of the bag. I took a different approach and stitched the design with bobbin work using variegated silk ribbon in my bobbin.
The edges of the purse are bound with fabric strips during the construction and the bag is lined, as well.
This is a very cute pouch-style purse (the pattern includes two views, the simple pouch style and a one with an ultrasuede flap) and the embellishment opportunity is vast. I think this would be great done in a desert design with warm colors and embroidered with desert plant life. Or maybe a hills and valley scene with wild flowers. Use your imagination and create a one-of-a-kind work of art.