Print out “Actual Size”

Mark the centre on your print out

Cut around your print out

Position the print out where you would like the design on your fabric

Insert a pin through the centre

Mark using either chalk or marking pen where you inserted the pin

Where you marked the centre of the design using a pin, with the marking pen and ruler draw cross lines

To give the bag a soft feel I lay under the fabric a thin layer of wool batting

Once I put the fabric in the hoop and inserted the hoop into the machine I then put a layer of thick cut away stabilizer under the hoop

Stitch out “Background_01”

Once you have stitched out “Background_01”

Lay over the fabric your printed “Actual Size” of “Exotic Lady_03” where you would like her positioned, I recommend you lay her slightly over the background as this will give your work depth

Mark the centre of “Exotic Lady_03” using a marker pen.

In this photo you can see how I marked the fabric so it was easy to centre the fabric in the hoop

Notice I stitched the “Exotic Lady” slightly over the “Background”

Once again position the “Indian Elephant_01” over the “Background” marking the centre. I recommend that you position the “Indian Elephant” slightly over the “Background”

Stitch the back either using “Back_01” for the very large hoop or “Back_02”

Put the wool batting and the layer of thick cut away stabilizer for the back also

For the 5 x 7inch hoop you could stitch out “Back_02” twice, I will leave that up to you.

Cut two layers of “Floriani Stitch and Shape” to the shape of the bag you wish to make.

Lay the “Stitch and Shape” over the two bag panels, I like to cut away the stitch and shape 5/8 inch for the seams as it is just too thick when stitching the bag together

Cut fabric for the lining using the same shape as your bag, I always cut the lining slightly larger than the bag, I used a beautiful Thai silk that I had bought a few years ago when in Thailand, it is just beautiful but only had a little bit left, good way of using up odd bits of fabric.

Pin the lining fabric to your bag, pleating where necessary.

Another view of pining the lining to the bag

I used my hot glue gun to glue the lining to the bag. I found the best way to do this is to glue the lining in very small sections, this may take more time but the lining looks great.

I used my hot glue gun to glue the lining to the bag. I found the best way to do this is to glue the lining in very small sections, this may take more time but the lining looks great.

I purchased these handles last year at Sydney’s Quilt Show from “Studio Mio” Item No. SK833 Braided clip handle their website is http://www.studiomio.com.au

This is the back of the bag, I am not happy with the my colour choices, it just does not look right, this is a good time to get out your Touch Wand or glue gun and start using those Hot Fix crystals that you have and thought they may come in handy one day, great way of fixing up mistakes or just adding more dazzle to your bag, just have fun in going over the top.

Compare the bag before I glued the crystals and braiding onto the bag, it looks fabulous, I love it!!

Close up of the crystals and braiding

Close up of the braiding that I had glued surrounding the designs, the braiding brings everything together.

Close up of the back of the green cushion

Using the same coloured thread as the design I stitched a simple decorative stitch in between the strips of fabric.

Stitch out on black fabric “Sun_02” or “Sun_01” for the 5 x 7 inch hoop twice; I used a linen colour thread for the first colour then used a deep yellow thread forthe second colour.

On either side of the black fabric I stitched a linen fabric.

Stitch out on black fabric “Sun_02” or “Sun_01” for the 5 x 7 inch hoop twice; I used a linen colour thread for the first colour then used a deep yellow thread for the second colour. On either side of the black fabric I stitched a linen fabric.