Bead Embellished Bag

Materials:

2 yards of 6 different yarns for the purse
4 strands of 48"- 52" yarn for the strap
scraps of fabric, ribbon, or snips of thread
9" x 20" water-soluble stabilizer
8" x 18" cotton fabric for purse
8" x 18" cotton fabric for lining
9" x 20" thin cotton batting
clear nylon monofilament (invisible) thread
decorative thread for quilting
tube mixed seed beads
size 12 beading needle
beading thread
1/8" ribbon
decorative button
sewing machine
rotary cutter and cutting mat
scissors
container of water
straight pins
wooden chopsticks

Steps:

1. Lay the piece of stabilizer on a flat surface.

3. Cut two yards of six different yarns into 8 inch pieces. Starting 1/2 inch from the top, lay the yarn across half the stabilizer (figure A).

4. Fold the stabilizer in half, top to bottom, sandwiching the yarns between the folded stabilizer, pin securely and carefully carry it to the sewing machine (figure B).

6. Stitch a 1/2-inch grid pattern all over the sandwich to secure all the yarns and fabrics (figure C).

7. When all the fibers have been securely stitched, submerge the piece in warm water for about 30 seconds. The stabilizer will begin to dissolve. Swish it around a little bit to help dissolve the stabilizer (figure D). Rinse in warm water until the stabilizer is washed out.

8. Lay flat to dry for two hours.

9. To make the bag strap, assemble four pieces of yarn together and stitch down the length with a zigzag stitch (figure E). Set the strap aside.

10. Lay out the piece of batting and place the foundation fabric on top, then the machine lace on top of that, lining up the top edges. Pin all three layers together (figure F).

11. Stitch horizontally across the piece at 2-inch intervals with decorative thread. On the other side of the purse, (the end that is not covered with machine lace), quilt the design of your choice (figure G).

12. Trim to 7-1/2" x 17".