provenance of the fabric: the plain brown faux suede was covering our kitchen chairs for 5 years. it looked kinda grotty so I removed it, changed the fabric covers (we now have funky flowers) and because the fabric was originally quite expensive (for me lol) i was loath to throw it away, so I washed it... it came out ok, some "hoop burn" from where the seats had been resting on the wooden frames for so long, but the centres of the fabric were fine!
the paisley sort of hippyness used for the pockets was a pillowcase originally, bought at a jumble some years ago. I used most of it in other things, but had some scraps left. just enough Wink
ok so I followed this tutorial from my sewing guru Vegbee : http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2009/10/ ... ttern.html
I added a full width front pocket divided into two small pockets and two pen holders, and I also didn't topstitch the front of the bag 'cos I forgot. I also made the side panels thicker, 4.5" instead of 3".
the "S" monogram was fun. Using the embroidery capabilities of my machine, I hooped some sticky stabiliser, placed the cut-out faux suede on this, added a small scrap of the paisley and then topped with heat-remove stabilising film, then hooped together in a complicated and inedible sandwich. I then prayed to the gods of machine embroidery cos my machine is a bummer with tension if the hooping's not *just right*....and went about my business using a pre-installed outline letter... it worked!!!
ok. now for pics...
and finally, a view of the one it's intended for and her opinion. it's a hit!
