Attaching needlepoint to a bag

 Before I start I should add that this would also work for a prefinished pillow or even the likes of a demin jacket.

The hardest part for me is the cutting of the canvas, my little one Amanda was saying "mom you shouldn't cut it!".  My nerves must have been showing.

 For a project with shaping like this heart you will also need to clip any curves and inside corners.

 Finger pressing next.  This piece has a sharp point which is pressed first across the horizontal and then the sides and pressed in too.  This may lead to the necessity of trimming more from the excess canvas as was the case here.

Pins hold everything is place.

 This is the bag Amanda and I choose for the heart.  The finished bag will be a birthday present for Fiona with a new swimming towel inside.  I loved the canvas handles and gromits.  It is surprislingly well made with a lining, zip and even welting at the base.  Found it at Meijers (a local grocery store).  I had also considered a straw bag but the gromits sold it for me.

 Here you can see everything pressed and pinned.

 In this case I wanted a casual placement so no headaches about it being centred.

Using the pins that are already in place I then pinned it to the bag.

 I attached this using quilting thread but for a novice I would suggest using invisible thread, particularly if you are not going to add a cording.

The knot is buried under the needlepoint and the piece is then attached using small slip stitches.

I only take a thread or two so as to reduce the amount of stitching that shows on the inside of the bag.

 If you intend to add cording as I did leave a gap for the ends of the cording to be tucked into.  I did this at the inside corner at the top.

 At this stage I did briefly consider not adding a cording, however I always think they look more finished with a bit of trim.

 I made this cording using DMC floss that I'd used to attach the spirals.  There is also a small amount of silver thread for bling.

 The same thread is used to attach the cording with the stitches burrowed into the needlepoint.

 Finished, as there was some cording left I added it to the zipper pull.

Beginning to end for this finishing project was about 90 minutes with a cost of $15 for the bag.  Not bad if I do say so myself.

Oh and then Amanda and I went got the beach towel to round off this gift.

Amanda's Stocking

Just a quick picture of the finished piece, although I may add a white cording around the edge after Christmas.

Dino Dots Cap

May and I've finished the first of my girls Christmas ornaments.  This part of the Cozy Caps range by A Collection of Designs.

I used different threads than suggested but for the most part used the stitches suggested.

 This is the cap prior to finishing.

Although I am not a great fan of ultra suede that was the only green that I had that fit the bill

First I roughly cut a piece larger than needed.

Place backing fabric right side to rigth side with the piece of  needlework.

Here you can see I have started to stitch around the cap.  As I am intending to line this the bottom will remain open.

The sewing thread is a hand quilting thread and I use a back stitch.

This step may also be done by machine but I wanted to show that anyone  can do this even if they don't own a sewing machine.

Before I get to the make a simple tassel using some of the threads used in the stitching.

If one is not using cording around the ornament then this would also be the time to insert a hanging loop.

The tassel in place

Then finish stitching around the ornament.  Remember to leave the bottom open.

Trim away any excess fabric and canvas

Snip into any curves being very careful not to cut the ornament.

Turn the piece out.

Yeh now the ornament is beginning to take shape.

Finger press the bottom hems inwards.

Select your lining fabric.  I chose to go a bit funky.

Carefully draw around the edge of the ornament.

This will be your stitch line.

Again this step can be done by machine.  I did it with a simple running stitch.

Again finger press the bottom hem.

Here the lining is inserted wrong side to wrong side and pined in place.

 If using cording leave a gap at the both side seams as this is where you tuck in the ends.

Now I use a ladder stitch to attach the lining.

Insert one end of the cording in the gap left

Using a stabbing stitch attach the cording.  Burying the the cording so it is unseen. 

Unless you have being doing fine hand sewing for many years use a matching thread.

I attached the cord around half the bottom then went up the side, made the hanging loop, down the other side and finally complete the bottom.