Sunday, October 14, 2012

Mouthy Stitches Bag - A Finish

Mouthy Stitches Bag

The bag for my secret partner in the Mouthy Stitches Swap is finished. The swap mandated that we all use the Skip to My Lou pattern for a Simple Reversible Totebag. It took me a long while to settle on what to make as my partner is wonderful and I did not want to let her down.

Mouthy Stitches Bag - detail

Eventually I decided to give applique a try and add some hand stitching. This idea of leaves on squares was present in many of the mosaics of the swap participants. I went to the pattern by Brioni Greenberg in Fat Quarterly Issue 4 for some guidance and inspiration and then adapted it.

Mouthy Stitches Bag - detail

I wanted the bag to be asymmetrical so I added some hearts to connect the back to the front. I hand stitched with perle cotton and also with some Wonderfil 12 wt orange thread. The applique, orange machine stitching and machine quilting on the back were done  with a 40 wt Aurafil orange thread.

Mouthy Stitches Bag - detail

The newspaper text print is by Sweetwater from their line Mama Said Sew. I had to add an antique black glass button next to the button definition. The other fabrics are some linen and some cotton neutrals, a Chicopee print by Denyse Schmidt and French text is from a line called Penelope by Holly Holderman.

Mouthy Stitches Bag - back detail

The back has more definitions, including embroidery, selvage and patchwork.

Mouthy Stitches Bag - detail

A little hand stitching on the back too. The heart fabric is special, it is from Umbrella Prints and is one of their quilting weight fabrics.

Mouth Stitches - Back

Although there were a couple of false starts, in the end this bag came together really nicely. It is reversible but I am going to hold off showing you the inside until my partner gets it as it might just alert her in advance. Now all I have to do is make a key fob and I am ready to send this off.

And, this is my first finish for Rhonda at Quilter in the Gaps Finish-A-Long. One down, 8 to go. I still am in need of a lot of luck.

I hope you have enjoyed your weekend.

Best,

Leanne

39 comments:

Heidi Staples said...

Leanne, this is beautiful. I love the colors, the text print, and the hand sewing. What a lucky partner you have!

Kelly said...

the tote is gorgeous Leanne!

Sarah said...

What a beautiful gift for your partner - love the orange splashes.

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

Oh Leanne it is just beautiful! I love the Umberella Prints and the handstitching and those texty bits, and the button just made me smile! Your partner is very very lucky! I scrutinised all those photos because I'm so intrigued to see what the lining is! I couldn't tell though :)

Canadian Abroad said...

As always I am amazed by your ability to combine prints, colours, and stitching. It's wonderful, Leanne.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

It's fantastic, your partner will love it xxx

Jenny-Narcoleptic in a cupboards mum said...

Love your tote. So many great little touches.

elle said...

What a lovely bag. Makes me want to make one right this minute!

Little Island Quilting said...

Has it got far to travel?

Di said...

Love the fabrics, the colours, the appliqué.... LOVE IT. Di x

Shocking Hocking said...

it's just gorgeous - i'm really hoping it's going to be deported to Australia and even more specifically, to me....

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Wow I wish it was heading to me - it is lovely. Did you line it with interfacing or fusible at all?

Judith, Belfast said...

Wow! That's a gorgeous bag L! Loving all those details - so much to look at! Jxo

leanne said...

absolutely gorgeous bag and so much fabulous detail - very lucky partner :)

carla said...

Hi!!! Love the bag!! Very pretty!!!!!

Gertie Pye said...

Just perfect ... I really, REALLY love this bag! Who knew orange and grey went so well together? And the quilting is spot on. Excellent work Leanne!

Karen said...

So gorgeous :)

Susan said...

Just wonderful! I love all the details you have added Leanne! I would love this to come and live with me! I see some pretty aqua lining there...

Debbie said...

oh this is lovely!! Love the contrasting stitches!

kat129 said...

What a great bag! All the attention to detail, the color palette, the wonderful hand stitching. You did a very nice job.
Happy sewing!
-k

felicity said...

Totally stunning, Leanne. All of the details really made it special. LOVE.

Tamie said...

This is such a cool tote. I love your use of orange.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Wow, that is so beautiful! I love your design and colours! Beautiful applique and quilting! x Teje

Ayln (Nilya2011) said...

I don´t care if I only get things from you in swaps - so send this over ;-)
I really love it!!!

Sheila said...

Your attention to detail has resulted in a beautiful bag - lucky, lucky partner.

Charlotte said...

it's so lovely!

Marg said...

Leanne this tote is stunning. I love everything about it, you are going to have one very very happy partner.

Jennie said...

Your bag is heavenly!

Kelsey said...

So beautiful!! You have one lucky partner!

Poppyprint said...

Nicely done Leanne! This is a beautiful bag with lots of special details. I am sure your partner will be thrilled!

Dianne Neale said...

Oh it's lovely. I do hope it's mine!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Utterly gorgeous!

Cindy said...

Oh man, this is beautiful. Goodness it came together so well, didn't it? Lovely.

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

Leanne, your bag looks absolutely fantastic! I love the hand stitched details! Is the linen fabric 100% linen, or linen looking? Was it hard to work with?

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Leanne this is so beautiful!! I love all the elements, the colours and the handstitching are so gorgeous! Very jealous of your swap partner!

Katy Cameron said...

Oh I love this, especially with the Umbrella print

Michelle @ the quilted tortoise said...

I know I'm about a week or so late here - but this bag is just soooooo wonderful Leanne! The colours, the text print, the appliqué, everything is just too good!! LOVE!

Susan said...

Yes, my wish came true...this tote is now living with me! Thank you again Leanne! I am a VERY lucky girl!

Amy Prior said...

Wow Leanne; such a pleasure to come across our fabrics in your work again! Happy day!