Embroidered Pouch with Split Stitch Badge

In August I made a heraldic pouch as a 'gift bag' for a present for my friend. The bag itself is red linen, self-lined. The general shape is based on Elizabethan sweete-bags.  I made little tassels for the bottom corners.

The heraldic design is executed in various types of cotton floss in split stitch. The design was traced onto calico base fabric with a pencil and the panel reinforced with a small piece of iron-on interfacing to minimise warping of the base fabric. After the colours were blocked in, I worked the details. I used a small hoop to maintain the tension.

After the embroidery was finished, I trimmed the interfacing and calico back and whipped the calico down onto the back of the piece.

The bag has eyelets at the top for the cords  to pass through, and the cords are plaited cotton threads in the recipient's heraldic colours.

Past pouches

I have been making some tentative plans for sewing and embroidery over the Christmas break, but there is just too much to do, and too little time! To inspire and motivate myself, I have put together a few pages of items that have been finished. Today, some pouches:

'Mouse pouch' - a Lochac children's award

'Mouse pouch' - a Lochac children's award

Lochac A&S Championship pouch

'Mouse pouch' - a Lochac children's award

A rose motif for a sweetebag

A sweete bag with fruit motifs in raised embriodery

A linen gift pouch

Sweete bag embroidery

Last night was the big Royal event where all the gifts and articles were presented. Although I was a little disappointed that I didn't have anything new to wear, I was really pleased that I got all my gifts and projects finished. 

The event was really wonderful. The hall was so beautifully decorated it took people's breath away, and the courts were beautifully done and really moving. The hard work of the populace of my Barony paid off, and the pieces that I worked on were really well received.

Here is some embroidery that I worked to go on an Elizabethan sweete bag. One of the newer members of my Barony did the design, and local artisans all worked one or two bags. The completed embroideries were sewn up into bags and filled with nougat and sweets to be given out to the Ladies of the Rose. They seemed to be quite delighted by the presentation, although I admit that I was slightly distracted by looking at their beautiful garb!

Polychrome embroidery with satin stitch, chain stitch and french knots