Mirror work

Hi friends, mirror work also known as Shisha work is a very Integral part of Kutch work.
I have incorporated this in a blouse for the first time. How do you all like it?
Mirror work is known to originate from Iran and was introduced to India during the Mughal era. it is extremely common in states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana where Chanya cholis embellished with mirror work is a common sight.It enhances the beauty of the fabric and draws attention to the intricate works of embroidery.
Given its rich look, it is also extremely easy to stich. Even such a simple design on the edge of the blouse could drastically impact the elegance and appearance of the fabric.

Mirror work on sleeve

Beautiful Pouch

Hi friends, I have stitched a small pouch with a zip.

I took two pieces of printed cloth 3 1/2" length and 8 1/2"width. I tool  plain cloth of 8 1/2" width and 1 1/2" length. 
   On one side of the plain cloth I put embroidery using bullion knot, fishbone stitch, stem stitch and lazy daisy stitch.
 

Now attach the plain cloth and printed cloth. 

Now keeping canvas cloth below this piece,  stitch lining cloth keeping it on top. Put a stitch along the edge of red cloth and turn it inside and give a stitch along the edge. 

Now keep the zip in between and stitch along the edge. 

Now stitch along the sides to finish the pouch. 

Cushion cover set

Hi friends, I stitched a set of cushion covers. Thought of sharing the idea with you.

I stitched two bolster covers and two small covers. I am planning to stitch four big cushion covers.

For the bolsters I took the full length of the bolster  with extra two inches of 2".The width of the bolster and added 2"for stitching. Here I have used two contrast colours.
For the small covers I have used the width of cushion with extra 2".The cushion is 11"in width  and length so have taken 11"by 24". Fold the two ends of the width and stitch. Then measure the length of the cover that is 11" and fold, now overlap the extra cloth and stitch the two sides along the length.

For the small cushion I have used the printed cloth used in the bolster to make flower.

Tote for an occasion - - 2

Stitch the front and back together.
Now to get a box shaped base for the bag mark 2"by 2"square at the bottom of the bag on both sides.

Cut along the marked line. 

Now pull the base together and stitch along the edge. Double stitch it for strength. 

Repeat for other side. 

Reverse the bag to right side to fix the handles. 

Your tote is ready for use

Tote for an occasion - - 1

Hi friends we are fast approaching the festive season of South India. Festivals are an occasion to celebrate and gift each other. 

Last year I had gifted Churukku pai to my friends. So this year I thought of stitching a tote.

 How do you like my idea?? 

Do you want to stitch one too. 

I have given the steps below. If you have any doubts please post your questions in my post. 

So first the dimensions for this bag, we need cloth, canvas and lining material. 

For the basic body of the bag I have used 13"by13"of cloth. 

For the pockets I have used 6"by 6".There is a double pocket inside of 10"by 6".

The handle measures 25"by 3".

This is the front of the bag. Fold it into half along the length and fold again along the width to get the Centre line crease.

Take the pocket  and fold just like the front cloth get the Centre  line crease.

 Now match the crease line and stitch. This will make sure that the pocket is in the centre. 

I have done Kutch work on the front pocket. Please checkout my earlier posts on simple square of kutchwork. I have also used herringbone stitch and stem stitch. I have posted both these stitches in my blog. 

Now for the back also follow the same steps, but stitch the pocket on the inside of the bag. 

Note that I have put a stitch along the middle of the pocket to get two pockets.

Reversible bag - - 2

To give a finishing touch stitch along the upper edge of the Patti.

The other side. 

Hope you all like it. Thank you. 

Reversible bag - - 1

Hi friends, I have stitched a reversible bag of two clothes used alternatively.
For the body I have taken cloth 19"wide and 10"long.I have taken 2 of each cloth.
    For the Patti I took a cloth 4" wide and 13" long. Take two Pattis of each colour.
Next for the handles take 20" long and  3 1/2" wide.

Fold in half, the body and Patti along the width. Iron and get Centre line crease.                     Place the body and Patti right side facing each other and match the Centre crease.

Make two pleats to match the width of both clothes. 

Now repeat the same procedure for the other half also. 

The other side of the bag. 

Now the handles. Make a centre crease along the length and open up the fold. Now fold the two edges till the centre crease and place the two on top of each other and stitch to get the handles. 

Now place the two sides of the bag of alternate design right side facing one another. Place the handle in between these two sides. Pin them to maintain position and stitch along the upper edge of the Patti. 

Repeat for both sides. 

This is how the right side will look. 

 

Repeat for the other side too.

Now open both sides and place right side facing each other. Keep the handles away from the edges. Stitch along the outer edge and leave a small gap on one side to put your hand in to pull out the bag and handles. 

Stitch along the open edge folding the raw edges inside. 

Please checkout the next post. 

Tote for a dost

Hi friends, I stitched a tote for a friend and thought I could share the idea with you all. Hope you all like it.

First let me give you the dimensions. The main body is of length 14 inches and width 28 inches. I stuck a canvas of the same dimension.

For the pocket I took a cloth of 6 inches by 6inches.

Lining cloth of the same dimensions for the body and pocket. 

For the handles I have taken 4inches by 22 inches.

Now keep the main cloth and lining right side facing each other, stitch along the upper edge and turn it in. 

Now for the handles. Fold into half along the length. Open the fold and now fold the two ends into half till the crease and fold one on top of the other and stitch along the edge. 

Fold the body of the bag along the length to get the crease to get an idea of the size of the bag. 

Now measure 3inches from the edge and stitch the handles to the bag. 

A small idea for the handle.Keep the handle edge  along the lining edge and stitch. Then move the handle away from the bag and stitch to close the raw edge.

Repeat the same for all the edges. 

Now keep the pocket centralizing it on the front of the bag. 

Now  turn the bag having the right side in and stitch along the edge to get the bag ready.

Your own tote is ready. 

Small purse

Hi friends, I have used white self printed cloth for stitching this purse. Since it is white so I have used contrast colour cloth as piping. As the piping has pink, green and purple colour so I have used these colours in hand embroidery.

Now I have taken a lining cloth of the same dimension and attached a pocket for changes. 

Now attach the upper and lower end of the lining right side facing right side and turn over the lining to the inner side. 

Let me tell you the steps to fix a zip. 

First take two small pieces of length 2inches and width 1 1/2 inches. Fold the two ends along the length. 

Fold into half along the length and keep between the end of the zipper.Put a stitch towards the outer edge. 

Next step pull the free stitched edge out to cover the stitch. Fold along the sides and seal the ends. 

Repeat the same process for the other end. 

Now to attach the zip place it along the edge of the purse and stitch both sides. 

Last step is to stitch the sides. 

I have used two piping rows using applique method to get a diamond shaped gap where I have made a small flower using billion knot and lazy daisy stitch. 

Here I have used kasuti embroidery and applique method. For applique method clarification please checkout on Afreen creations on YouTube. 

Hope you all liked my post. Thank you.