This class will focus on slowing down and using hand-stitching techniques to create a simple and beautiful small drawstring bag out of pieced linen, cotton and embroidery or sashiko thread. The shape is inspired by the Japanese Komebukuro bag, the traditional pouch used to carry rice offerings. A layer of cotton batting and quilt stitches is added creating a lovely textured surface and lending more structure to the bag. It is perfect for carrying around a few favorite stitching supplies, or as a small handbag for essentials. Finished size: 5” round.

You will learn hand sewing skills that can be applied to any other sewing project. You will gain an arsenal of skills that will allow you to approach other sewing with a kind of slowness and mindfulness only hand stitching can bring. Whether a keepsake on its own, or intended as keeper of personal treasures, these techniques and this pouch will bring joy to your heart.

Dates + Times
Friday, April 28th, 2023, 3 – 6 pm EST

Friday, May 5th, 2023, 3 – 5 pm EST

Location
Zoom, access link will be sent out the day before class.

Cost
$100

Class Materials

• 1/2 yard exterior fabric
• 1/2 yard interior fabric (remember it can be reversible!)
• 16” of 1/2” twill tape
• 2 yards of 1/8” or 1/4” cording
• various embroidery threads/needle
• sewing thread and needle
• scraps of fabric for patching

Material kits are available for purchase separately. Please see the “related products” at the bottom of this page.

If you have meaningful fabric you would like to use, please feel free to bring it to class. This is a great project to incorporate special and meaningful pieces or scraps of cloth you have at home.

OUR TEACHER
Karen Stevens

For the last 25 years, Karen has been a freelance CAD instructor, training textile and fashion designers to create knits, prints and wovens for the garment industry. But these days you are more likely to find her in her creatively cluttered studio than on her computer, adding one more vintage patch to a favorite pair of jeans or double gauze shirt. Her love of visible mending, natural fibers, hand dyed fabrics and slow stitching has recently turned into a small side business, creating one of a kind stitched curiosities.

“You repair the thing until you make it completely.”    – Louise Bourgeois