Lavender bags, part deux

I’ve been quiet, yes, but not unproductive. Apart from reading (oh so good) and lazing in the sun, I’ve been playing with embroidery. It’s been a long time since I’ve wielded a needle for anything but hemming, seaming or attaching buttons to pincushions, but it seems to be coming back.

I still can’t create an adequate stem stitch, but bring on French knots and chain stitch! Even my satin stitch is coming along, and I thought that would elude me forever.

So, just above we have the tops of what will become two more lavender bags. Yes, I know. When will it end? When I run out lavender, that’s when. And given the amount I currently have stashed, that could be a long, long time away.

Oh – the patterns. Anna’s is from a vintage embroidery transfer I bought on TradeMe, and Abby’s is from Needlecrafter’s library of patterns. I printed it out back-to-front and traced the pattern with an iron-on transfer pencil (like this, or this). I discovered them just before Christmas: when you place the traced pattern face-down on your fabric and iron over it, the image transfers. I can’t believe I didn’t know about that earlier.