Hand-Stitched Talisman Pouch Project 2413-1 by Julie B

Quilting Arts TV series 2400 Hand-stitched Talisman Pouch project 2413-1 by Julie B. Booth Sponsored by Bernina of America and eQuilter.com

Host Susan Brubaker Knapp and quilt artist Julie B. Booth

Materials This project was inspired by my family’s annual summer • 1 (31/2" x 9") piece of wool fabric (I used “Ocean Front” gathering in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Each year, I from Sue Spargo’s hand-dyed wool line). Alternative design a fiber-related art project for the family. The previous year foundation fabric: wool or acrylic felt we had great fun wrapping beach stones with waxed linen thread • 2–3 (5" x 11") pieces of sheer fabric such as tulle, and beads. A beautiful hand-stitched pouch seemed like a perfect organza, and/or open weave cheesecloth (I use Dritz® follow-up project to hold our “beach stone talismans.” brand cheesecloth and color it with fabric paints.) Use the completed pouch to hold small special items such as • Fabric scraps (these will be placed under at least 1 sheer crystals, shells, or a favorite piece of jewelry. Or just appreciate it layer) as a work of art in itself! • 18"–20" sari silk ribbon, silk fabric strip, or heavy yarn in a contrasting color • 2–3 additional yarns of varying weights and textures (11/4 yards each) Instructions • Embroidery floss and perle cotton threads (#8 and #12 1. Use the wool fabric as the base and layer the sheers and fabric weights) in a variety of colors. (I used WonderFil® scraps on top. Embed the fabric scraps between sheer layers. Eleganza™ and Valdani variegated perle cotton threads.) You can scrunch some of the sheers or tulle to get additional • Hand sewing needles: crewel embroidery sizes #5 to #3 color effects. If you are using open weave cheesecloth, that (depending on weight of thread) and sashiko (I used should be the top layer. Pin through the layers to hold in Tulip® brand Big Eye, Straight Thin Size THN-103e.) place. • Sea-tumbled shell “shard” 2. Place the sari silk ribbon on top of the fabric layers. I like to • 1 ceramic or glass focal bead for closure (I used a ceramic form a gentle curved “3” or “S” shape with the ribbon. Pin in bead by Keith O’Connor Pottery.) place. • 2 size #6 seed beads Note: The bead holes of the focal bead and seed beads must be 3. Create spiral and looped designs with the additional yarns. large enough for 4 passes with #8 perle cotton. The yarns can overlap each other and the silk ribbon in places. Pin these yarns in place. • 1 (31/2" x 9") piece of lining fabric (I suggest a thin cotton.)

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figure 1 figure 2 4. Use running stitch to attach the sari stitch, needle weaving (surface ribbon first and to anchor the fabric darning) and running stitch. layers. I used the sashiko needle and Note: Before adding the decorative #8 variegated perle cotton. Couch stitching, I sometimes trim the wool base the remaining yarns in place using fabric at the flap end of the pouch to perle cotton or embroidery floss. follow the curves of the attached ribbon or (figure 1) yarns. I leave the sheers uncut to provide Note: Before stitching, temporarily fold texture and will use running stitch to up the pouch to see what it will look secure them. (figure 2) like in order to adjust the placement of 6. Fold up and pin the pouch to materials. Unfold to stitch. determine the placement of the shell Tip: If you are finding it difficult to stitch embellishment and the closure. with multiple layers of yarn pinned in 7. Attach the shell using a stem stitch place, photograph the final design and net. Start by stitching a series of unpin some of the yarns to work. You can parallel straight stitches across the figure 4 use the photo as a design reference for re- shell to anchor it in place. Stitch 2–3 pinning the layers. 8. The closure is comprised of a loop perpendicular rows of stem stitch, and a bead dangle. Determine the 5. Once all the yarns are stitched in going around the anchoring straight approximate placement of the loop place, add textural and decorative stitches. Make sure that the stitches off the edge of the flap. The closure details in and around the shapes are taut against the shell, holding it does not have to be centered on formed by the ribbon and yarns. securely in place. (figure 3) the flap and may feel more visually Some stitches I like to use are: balanced if it is a bit off to the side French knots, seeding stitch, cross opposite the shell.

figure 5 figure 6 figure 7 9. Create the bead dangle first. loop is wide enough to accommodate Determine placement. It should be the focal bead, measure the bead at slightly under the pouch flap and its widest point and place 2 pins on centered on the spot you’ve selected the edge of the pouch flap to mark for the loop. Place a pin to mark the the length. (figure 6) Anchor a new spot and unpin the pouch and lay length of #8 perle cotton thread and flat to work. Using #8 perle cotton, bring to the front at the first pin anchor the thread on the back side of marker. Make 2 straight stitches the the pouch and bring to the front at length of the loop. Make sure that the marked spot. Add 1 #6 seed bead, there is some slackness to the stitches the focal bead, and the second #6 so that they form a loop. Test to seed bead. Skip the second seed bead make sure that the bead dangle can and come back through the focal fit through the loop. (figure 7) When bead and the first seed bead and back you are happy with the size of the into the fabric. (figure 4) Leave about loop, anchor the thread on the back 3 /8"–1/2" exposed thread as part of the side. Bring the thread back to the figure 8 dangle. Come back up through the front side close to 1 end of the loop fabric and the beads a second time. and work buttonhole stitch over the the second short side to conform to Skip the last bead again and bring loop threads. (figure 8) the shape of the curved flap. Use a the thread through the other 2 beads. single strand of floss or sewing thread 11. Unpin the pouch and place it flat, Start working buttonhole stitch and hand sew the lining with a hem inside facing up. Mark 1/4" seam over the exposed threads to create stitch. allowances on the RIGHT side of a buttonhole bar. (figure 5) When the 2 long sides and 1 short side 12. Re-pin the pouch and whip stitch the you reach the stitched surface of the of the lining fabric. Press the seam sides to complete. pouch, bring the needle to the back allowances to the wrong side of the side and anchor the thread. threadborn.com fabric. Center and pin the lining on 10. Fold up and pin the pouch again to the inside of the pouch. Trim and create the loop. To make sure that the fold under the seam allowance of