Goldwork Project - the final chapter

 

 With the embroidery finished I had to decide how to display it.  I could have had the work framed (would have meant to and put it into a box) but while I was sewing the idea of a bag kept sneaking into my head.

 This is not how a bag should be made, this bag kind of evolved around my embroidery - so there are flaws!  The pattern was just a piece of A4 paper with the corners rounded and I cut the handles using a wide ruler as a guide.

 Pieces cut out and ready to go.

Handles cut and pinned ready to sew up. 

The back of the bag with the pleats pinned.  By this time I have a good idea of how I want the back to look.  So this picture shows where the handles will go and the clasp I am going to use to fasten the bag.

Pleats sewn into place front and back and the lining has been attached.  It was because I didn't want to damage the goldwork  that I lined the work before attaching it to the clasp.  I did this with glue, unfortunately it was only after gluing the back into place I realised I had not inserted the handles so I had to take it apart and do it again.  

 I had made the coin purse that was the cover gift on a recent MOLLIE MAKES magazine - very clear instructions - so I did my handbag in a similar way.
First I sewed some blue paper string so the top of the bag would fit tightly into the clasp.

 Then I glued the bag into position.  I then let the bag dry thinking I could sew the bag to the clasp later (there are times when I am a belt and braces kind of person) this was a mistake because when the glue was dry it was impossible to get a needle through the glue.

 I stitched the bag together twice.  First sewing the linings together and then the blue linen fabric I had used for the outside of the bag.  I did it this way to make my seems as strong as possible.

I know a lot of people will read this and be screaming 'THAT'S NOT HOW YOU MAKE A BAG' and I quite agree it isn't, but as the bag evoloved around the embroidery this was the only way.  Next time I start a project like this I will try and have a better idea of it's purpose and how to achieve it.