“When Marrilyn sent me photos of this splendid Jacobean embroidered purse I was intrigued as to how she made it and knew you all would be too, so here is her guest blog.”

I have been machine embroidering for around 20 years firstly on a Husqvarna D1 and eventually upgrading to the Husqvarna Epic after a series of Janome machines of which I still have an 11,000. For years I have had a fascination with Jacobean embroidery and as soon as I saw these gorgeous designs given to us so generously by Hazel to celebrate Graceful Embroidery’s 12th birthday I fell in love and stitched them almost as soon as they were given.

I purchased my bag frame at a craft show last year and thought it dainty enough to use for this project.

I set about arranging the chosen designs on my computer and came up with a combination which would fit nicely into my 200 x 260 mm hoop and sit well in the 14” x 13” rectangular bag front and embroidered it to the front panel using Robison Anton rayon threads on a textured curtain remnant.

I embroidered the design Week 5 No. 8 (GFE-JCB-freebie, GFE-JCB2-16 & GFE-JCB-1-8) on the back panel of the bag.

After the embroidery I backed each panel (including the gusset) with iron-on pellon and stippled the entire background giving the embroideries a raised finish.

I designed a 23 ½” x 3” gusset, piped the edges and stitched it to the back and front pieces stopping 6” before the top of the bag and 1” above the hinge of the frame.

A zippered pocket is added to the lining and the top is finished with a ¾” frill and a casing to thread the rod.

I made a small purse using design week 3 No. 6 (GFE-JCB-2-6) to match and keep my ear phones tidy.

Another time I think I would make this bag 1 or 2″ wider to sit better.

The cost was minimal using what I had in the stash and the handle was about $15.00 if I remember rightly.

“Thank you Marrilyn for sharing this project with us all. I searched online to find a similar handle and did eventually using the term- 1x Metal Purse Frame Clutch Handle Bag Kiss Clasp Arch Lock Bag DIY 15cm”. I definitely want to make one of these!!

Happy embroidering from Hazel