Monday 24 January 2011

POCKETS FULL OF INSPIRATION




I came across the idea of a loose pocket last year whilst on the Julie Arkell workshop at Les Soeurs Anglaises in South West France. I thought Julie's pockets were both useful and lovely and as the year progressed I kept coming across others!

Above : - a patchwork pocket from the V&A quilts exhibition book, Julie Arkell's pocket, Ellie Evans' pocket and a lovely amulet bag by Tinctory - a kind of tiny pocket for precious treasures worn as a necklace which my Mum got me for Christmas.

Julie embroiders words on the pockets and on a lot of her work, Ellie combines documents printed (her own family documents or a clients when commissioned) onto vintage fabric and highlights important phrases by embroidering them . Eva, (tinctory) uses hand dyed, pleated silk to make her jewellery in this case the tiny bag meant to keep treasures close.
Here is my first attempt! Started in Boston sitting sewing with Kate and Jamie and finished over Christmas .......
Made from part of an old black denim waistcoat, a piece of antique french fabric (see the bigger piece to the right which we were shown as Les Soeurs Anglaises last summer) some lace, binding and a portion from a victorian metal beaded trim - all bought from Sandia at Rag Rescue. The fringe on the strap is a Wallace & Sewell ribbon with layers of binding and denim. Im pleased with the results - though in my head it was more pouchy with laces to pull the front pocket together and the back pocket being less floppy. Maybe next time .....

4 comments:

  1. Love the pockets Diane. I love the one you made, cupids/putti are my favourites.
    Sandie at Rag Rescue

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats on your new blog. It is looking good. Love those pockets.
    Do you live by the sea? I'll talk to you again before your dream week.
    xxooTaylor

    ReplyDelete
  3. HEY THERE DIANE...WOW, CONGRATULATIONS ON WHAT I HOPE WILL BE ONE OF THOUSANDS OF POSTS TO GRACE THIS WONDERFULLY TITLED BLOG! ALSO THOUGHT YOU DESERVED A COMMENT IN CAPS AS YOU HAVE WRITTEN SO MANY FOR ALL OF US...I THINK THAT YOUR PURSE IS REALLY RATHER SPLENDID AND EVEN IF IT SOUNDS BIASED IT IS BY THE FAR THE BEST OF YOUR COLLECTION!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thanks sandie - will be in touch.

    thanks taylor am replying to your email today - i dont live by the sea but do have a beach hut!

    thanks a million danielle! im doing this in tiny letters just for you!!! Cant wait to see you at the weekend.
    xx
    di

    ReplyDelete