This class will focus on slowing down and using hand-stitching techniques to create a simple and beautiful drawstring bag out of pieced linen, cotton, and embroidery threads. The shape is inspired by the Japanese Komebukuro bag, the traditional pouch used to carry rice offerings or store precious lacquerware. The layer of cotton batting and quilt stitches adds a lovely, textured surface and lends more structure to the bag. It is perfect for carrying around a few favorite stitching supplies, or as a small handbag for essentials. It can easily be dressed up to accompany you for evenings out on the town! Note: we will be making the larger version of the drawstring bag, as seen on the right side of the image of three bags. The bag will be 7” high with a 6” wide base. 

You will learn hand-sewing skills that can be applied to any other sewing project and enjoy the kind of slowness and mindfulness that only hand-stitching can bring. Whether intended as a keeper of personal treasures, or a decorative object for display, this pouch will bring joy to your heart.

Dates + Times
Saturday, November 18th, 2023, 12 – 2:30 pm ET

Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, 12 – 2 pm ET

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

Cost
$100

Class Materials

• 1/4 yard exterior fabric A
• 8” x 8” exterior fabric B
• 1/4 yard lining fabric (remember: bag is reversible so you may want to pick another ‘fun’ fabric!)
• thin cotton batting, approx size 7″ x 21″
• 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
• quilt safety pins or regular safety pins 

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