A new Technique

I have always liked Japanese stitched items and fabrics.  The books of  Kimiko Sudo have kept me entertained  for hours trying to figure out how to make the items.

I have made this little flower bag so many times that I have become quite quick at it.

So when I saw the post for a New Bag Pattern at A Breezy Day I booked in at a local Patchwork shop to learn the technique.  My patchwork group had a challenge to use a particular fabric for Christmas so I used it as the lining in a bag I made using the Japanese Smocking technique.  It isn't very hard, but it isn't  easy either, but once you have worked it out you move along quite quickly.  I changed the pattern for my bag to suit the amount of material I had for the lining and I changed how the handles were attached and the binding.  (There were also other small changes)  But the smocking stayed the same.

When I look closely at the smocking I can see there is room for improvement so I had better make some more.  A dress for my grand daughter would be good.

Comments

[Rachel]

The smocking is charming - lovely crisp folds!

[Carolyn Foley]

But not quite perfect. More practise needed.

[Jane S.]

I dunno, it looks pretty darn good to me! :)

[Carolyn Foley]

Thanks, it was my mother speaking, you could improve...