A couple of weeks ago I rescued this beautiful cross stitch from our local charity shop. It was mounted and framed but needed reinventing into something more usable in today’s modern life and was far too wonderful to leave there.
Only measuring a modest 5″ x 7″, I ummed and aahed about what to do with it for a while, having some brilliant suggestions on Instagram.
Ultimately, this is for one of my Stitching Santa recipients (I’m doing both sewing and yarny versions) so I wanted to make it a useful object. This lady is multi-talented across many craft disciplines, as are so many of my blogging pals, and she dabbles in cross stitch herself so I thought this would be perfect for her.
I decided to make a zipped pouch, about the size of a cosmetic bag, which could have a variety of different uses. Maybe for a portable cross stitch project, a small crochet or knitting project, or maybe as an actual cosmetic bag – it is rather swanky, after all!
So here’s a quick run-through of what I did, which might be informative if you have a similar piece of needlework that needs reinventing.
It had been spray-mounted to card and well laced across the back, so all that had to be undone. I then gave it a little steam press.
After trimming the needlework to a useable size, I used it as a template to cut two lining pieces and a back.
Iron-on interfacing was attached to the reverse of the front and back sections to stabilise the bag.
I used the covered tab method for the zip to give as neat a finish as possible (there are plenty of tutorials online on how to do this).
The zipper tabs should be about 1/4″ shorter than the width of the bag to ensure that they don’t get caught in the seam allowance when the bag is stitched together.
After inserting the zip, I topstitched close to the seam through the lining as well. This means that the fabric won’t get stuck in the zip when opening and closing.
OPEN the zip.
With lining-to-lining and front-to-back (right sides together) stitch all the way around, leaving a gap in the lining through which to turn.
Be sure not to catch the tabs in the seam as you sew.
Trim the tabs to reduce bulk.
Cut across all the corners before turning the right way out.
Close the gap in the lining either by hand or machine.
I added a coordinating leather tassel from my supplies.
The sequinned fabric is a small piece cut from a length of fabric that will become a dress later in the week. It adds a touch of glamour.
Some matching blue lining is a nice vibrant surprise when you look inside.
I hope she likes it!
November 28, 2017 at 3:48 pm
That’s so clever – it’s turned out really well. I must try using zipper tabs when I next make zipped purses. It gives a much neater finish and makes sewing up easier without the zip in the way at the edge.
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November 28, 2017 at 6:06 pm
I don’t bother making zipper tabs on purses as they’re so small, but it’s definitely worth it on anything larger. Smarter, not to mention easier to sew at the zip ends.
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November 28, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Truly Gorgeous! and a great tutorial as well.
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November 28, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Thank you, I’d REALLY like to keep it as my make up bag is functional, wipe-clean oil cloth, whereas – sequins!
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November 28, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Just lovely.
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November 28, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Thank you – and for reblogging:)
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November 28, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Reblogged this on Noddfacrafts and commented:
I had to share this because all those un-loved needleworks in charity shops make me so sad. What a lovely way of re purposing them!
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November 28, 2017 at 4:25 pm
I love this… it’s pretty and functional.
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November 28, 2017 at 6:09 pm
My sentiments exactly – breathing new life into old needlework is becoming a habit of mine!
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November 28, 2017 at 5:05 pm
This is amazing… It looks great and it’s so cool that it’s now a useable item of beauty
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November 28, 2017 at 6:10 pm
Thank you – to make it useful is to extend the life of it, I hope.
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November 28, 2017 at 5:57 pm
What a great idea!
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November 28, 2017 at 6:11 pm
Thanks! If it inspires just one person to rescue a beautiful old piece of stitching then it was worth it.
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November 28, 2017 at 6:00 pm
My goodness – who wouldn’t like it!! What a clever idea to come up with – we’ll all be looking at bits of unloved stitchery with new eyes from now on! Lucky recipient!! ❤
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November 28, 2017 at 6:13 pm
I hope so, that’s the general idea- it’s such a shame to see these going for pennies in charity shops and STILL being passed over.
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November 28, 2017 at 9:03 pm
It’s gorgeous! It’s such a pretty cross-stitch design, well done for rescuing and rehoming it 🙂
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November 29, 2017 at 9:37 am
It is a timeless piece, I think, a classic English cottage, and the sequins bring it up to date. I’m hoping to find a similar one soon, so I can make one for myself!
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November 28, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Ooh….the recipient is going to love this 🙂
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November 29, 2017 at 9:17 am
Thanks, I hope so!
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November 29, 2017 at 4:16 am
What a fun idea! My mom used to cross stitch a ton – I should ask her for some of her old pieces to do this!
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November 29, 2017 at 9:34 am
I think it makes a great evening bag with the sequins on the back – time to sweet talk mum!
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November 29, 2017 at 7:33 am
It is stunning. 🙂 Just the thing one would need to pop your phone in when you want to be really glamorous. I am sure the lucky partner is going to love it.
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November 29, 2017 at 9:33 am
I see it as an evening bag with all those sequins – it would be a talking point, wouldn’t it?
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November 30, 2017 at 6:23 am
Absolutely. 🙂 Just what one needs to get a conversation started when out and about.
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November 29, 2017 at 8:57 am
Isn’this gorgeous, she is going to adore it, and the lady who first stitched it would be so very happy.
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November 29, 2017 at 9:32 am
Thanks Cathy, I think she’d approve of what I’ve done with her cross stitch.
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November 29, 2017 at 12:14 pm
What a great idea – well done! At least yours was a whole picture, finished and now made into something useful – and I love the sparkly back to it. I hate seeing those half done projects in charity shops, you know, the pack of tangled threads, the half stitched picture, usually the aida or embroidery fabric has a stain or a fold that looks like it will never iron out. I know some shops won’t display such half done items but many still do and I think it takes a very special person to think they can rescue those.
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December 4, 2017 at 10:04 pm
I must admit that I haven’t come across any half finished ones in our charity shop – perhaps they don’t put them out for sale? I thought the sequinned back made it more of an evening bag or, if not, definitely an up-market cosmetic bag.
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December 5, 2017 at 12:11 pm
I loved the sequins, definitely jazzed it up .
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November 29, 2017 at 1:14 pm
I must say you are one of my go to inspirations, always so creative and such a busy bee. I am in awe!
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December 4, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Thanks so much, that’s such a nice thing to say! I’ll endeavour to keep on inspiring:)
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November 29, 2017 at 4:30 pm
What a clever idea and beautifully made 🙂
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December 4, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Thank you – I was glad to be able to re-make it into something desirable.
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November 29, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Just gorgeous! (I’m hoping – along with everyone else on the list – that you might be my secret partner 😉)
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December 4, 2017 at 10:07 pm
Ha ha! Couldn’t possibly comment one way or the other for fear of spoiling any surprise! It’s nice that people are liking what I’ve made, though.
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November 29, 2017 at 10:55 pm
So beautiful 😊
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December 4, 2017 at 10:08 pm
Thank you:)
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November 30, 2017 at 12:59 pm
This looks wonderful. What a genius way to reuse something like that.
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December 4, 2017 at 10:10 pm
Thanks, it was quite small so it seemed the best thing to do with it.
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November 30, 2017 at 10:55 pm
So pretty! A fabulous idea!
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December 4, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Thank you, I’m glad you like it:)
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December 2, 2017 at 2:54 pm
I think you have been turning straw into gold!
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December 4, 2017 at 10:13 pm
Ha ha, thanks!
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December 9, 2017 at 12:57 am
Sheila, what a charming way to reuse this beautiful embroidery. It’s pretty and practical and I’m sure she’ll love it. I know I would. Also, I’ve never seen that method for adding a zip. What a great technique!
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