This next project started off as an idea that turned into a different idea. In the end, I wasn't really sure that this was what I had wanted to happen, but I ended up going with it. Lookie:
Ingredients: Twitterpated Fabric, Interfacing, thread, Dresden Designs Bigz die, Red Riding Hood 3/8” Pleated Satin ribbon, Pear Pizazz 3/8” Pleated Satin ribbon, Fleurettes, Island Indigo 3/8” Ruffled ribbon, Twitterpated buttons, Red Riding Hood 3/8” taffeta ribbon, Regals buttons, Island Indigo baker’s twine, Pear Pizazz baker’s twine.
GOJUS! (YILM!) What is it, you ask? It's a purse. Shaped like a dress. Something that a young girl, maybe one that is into ballet, might carry to a fancy party. Or a woman who likes unusual evening bags.
It's lined...look at how well the lining matches up with the top of the purse where it is turned inside.
The "vine" goes all the way around to the other side. Everything is exquisitely sewn in tiny stitches that are invisible. The lining and the top of the purse are blind hemmed into place. The ribbon roses are done by hand and sewn into place. I used to sew my own clothes and at one point had ambitions to be a costume designer. I switched my theatre major to a theatre minor,though, after I decided it just wasn't for me. But I still know how to sew.
My original idea was for an evening bag that was kind of shabby chic/20's bijou style. It didn't come out that way, mostly because the "petals" from the dresden plate die just would not bunch together and hang the way I wanted them to. I tore it apart more than once and finally just decided that it wanted to be shaped like a dress, so it might as well look like one. Then I got creative. I love the pleated satin ribbon, it adds just the right touch.
Stay tuned for more projects from the Parade of UnAward Winning Projects! Ta!
I love the vine and flowers. So cute and very clever.
Posted by: Joan Robertson | June 27, 2012 at 07:18 AM
Jan, I love this bag, such a clever use of the Dressen die!
K
Posted by: Kory Keller | June 27, 2012 at 09:02 AM
Wow! This is why I don't ever enter! This is an un-winning item and I could never come up with anything THIS creative. Fabulous!
Posted by: Cyndi | June 27, 2012 at 12:28 PM
This is just gorgeous. I love sewing projects.
Posted by: Sherylee | June 28, 2012 at 03:53 AM
Wow Jan!! This is so creative and done SO well! Your sewing is perfection. The embellishments are beautiful. Love the vine wrapped around and cluster of flowers. Stunning!
Posted by: Kelly Wentling | June 28, 2012 at 08:32 AM
WOW, this is gorgeous and I can only echo what everyone else has said. I am amazed that it didn't make it as a winner, especially since we all think it's a winner!! I can barely thread a needle!!
Posted by: marsha | June 28, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Unbelievably creative, gorgeous, technically difficult and exquisitively made. Screams Winner Winner Winner to me! Made me happy just to see it.
Posted by: Margaret | June 28, 2012 at 01:11 PM
This is the type of item that would sell for a lot of money to those people who buy handcrafted items for gifts for their daughters or for an evening purse for prom or for themselves. It is so beautifully made!
Posted by: Joyce Harms | June 28, 2012 at 01:58 PM
What a clever idea!
Posted by: Robin Feicht | June 30, 2012 at 11:31 AM
That is freakin' gorgeous! I know the little girl next door to me would go gaga for a purse like that!
Posted by: Suzanne | June 30, 2012 at 05:37 PM
Also, this would be a great purse for a quilter. Very versatile and quite lovely.
Posted by: Shala C. | July 01, 2012 at 11:27 PM
wow, bet your daughters were fighting over this one. So sad that you don't get them back eventually! This is a real beauty and the attention to detail is unbelievable!
Posted by: Jan Hoyt O'Fallon, IL | July 04, 2012 at 02:10 PM