Finished Hanging Bag: 17˝ × 22˝
This hanging bag resulted from a combination of necessity and the desire to make something decorative. We have an old house with a limited amount of space for storage. I was looking for a way to store my current reading material without having it lying on a stand or in a pile. By now you may have realized that I have a fondness for bags of all sorts. I designed this bag based on old grain bags that were woven of heavy cotton or linen and used over and over for hauling and storing seed and feed. They are homely relics of a time when one reused or repurposed everything. I collect these old bags and sometimes incorporate them into my work if they are in poor condition and not suitable for preserving.
The design incorporated onto this bag reflects my love of old houses. They constantly give me ideas to use in my work and are an endless source of enthusiasm. Having an old house of my own, I cannot help but have a great affection for these early structures that have stood through time and give us a sense of history.
The house is a much-used decorative motif, here painted on an early apple box.
I searched for fabrics that resemble early textiles to use in this hanging bag. Store papers and periodicals to keep handy for those moments when you want to spark creativity. Hang the bag by a chair, bed, or any place where it will find a purpose.
MATERIALS
Wool
•1 blue wool rectangle 10˝ × 12˝ for appliqué background
•1 blue wool rectangle 5˝ × 11˝ for arch
•1 dark orange wool rectangle 5˝ × 10˝ for smaller arch, sun, and chimney
•1 mustard wool rectangle 6˝ × 7˝ for darker leaves and tree
•1 green wool rectangle 6˝ × 7˝ for lighter leaves and tree
•1 light tan wool square 3½˝ × 3½˝ for house
•1 medium tan wool rectangle 3½˝ × 5˝ for house (gable end)
•1 gray wool rectangle 2˝ × 5˝ for roof
•1 brown wool square 3˝ × 3˝ for door and tree trunk
•1 light orange wool rectangle 2˝ × 3˝ for inner sun detail
•1 black wool rectangle 1½˝ × 3˝ for windows
Other materials
•¾ yard of heavy cotton or linen for backing
•½ yard of heavy cotton or linen in contrasting color for pocket
•Embroidery floss: 2 skeins of dark mustard and 1 skein each of antique white, medium brown, and dark brown
• 1⁄3 yard (12˝) of ¾˝-wide twill tape
•2 buttons, ¾˝ diameter
•Sewing machine
GETTING STARTED
Refer to Preparing the Wool Pieces as needed for additional details on these steps.
1 Cut out the wool appliqué pieces using the arch pattern and the remaining patterns.
2 Cut 2 rectangles 18˝ × 23˝ from the heavy cotton or linen for the backing.
3 Cut 1 rectangle 14½˝ × 15˝ from the heavy cotton or linen for the pocket.
4 Lay out your appliqués according to the pattern to be sure you have all of the pieces.
SEWING FUN
Refer to Stitching Your Project for details on the blanket stitch and embroidery stitches.
1 Blanket stitch the house, tree, and sun appliqués to the 12˝ × 10˝ blue wool background. Stitch the small arch to the larger one. Embroider the details.
2 Using steam, iron the blue wool appliquéd piece on the wrong side. Trim to 11˝ × 9˝. Refer to Finishing Your Project as needed.
3 Place the 18˝ × 23˝ cotton or linen backing pieces right sides together and sew by machine using a ½˝ seam allowance and leaving an opening on one side.
4 Turn the backing right side out, press with an iron, and hand-stitch the opening shut using a whipstitch.
Details of the stitching
5 Turn under the edges of the pocket ¼˝ on all sides and press. Sew the hem around the edges by machine. The pocket will measure 14½˝ wide and 14˝ long.
6 Center and pin the blue wool appliquéd piece on the pocket fabric, approximately 2½˝ down from the top 14½˝ edge. Blanket stitch in place.
Stitch appliqué to pocket.
7 Center and pin the pocket to the backing fabric, approximately 6½˝ down from the top. Blanket stitch in place, starting on the right side and leaving the top open.
Place the pocket on the background.
8 Stitch along the top of the pocket fabric only.
9 Pin the arch to the backing fabric, 1½˝ down from the top and centered from side to side. Blanket stitch in place.
10 Cut 2 pieces of twill tape 5˝ long and turn the cut ends under ¼˝.
11 Pin each piece 1˝ from the side of the backing and 1˝ down from the top. Sew to the front and to the back using the blanket stitch.
12 On the front, sew a button onto each loop of twill tape.
Sew the twill tape.
The hanging bag in alternate colors is both useful and decorative.
For all printable patterns or digital content: http://tinyurl.com/11079-patterns-download
For all printable patterns or digital content: http://tinyurl.com/11079-patterns-download