Bursting with colour and texture, our blue-tit purse combines free-motion embroidery with hand stitching to create its vibrant central design

BY ALISON CARPENTER-HUGHES

FIND THE TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 57

Regarded as creatures of nobility, blue-tits are connected with the Gods and are symbols of love, trust, hope and freedom; their blue wings spanning out like the wide open sky! This colourful design is inspired by the little bird that brightens our gardens with flashes of blue and yellow, nestling in early Spring flowers. Follow the step-by-step guide to combine free-motion and hand embroidery; then sew a simple handy pouch to use when you are on the go!

YOU WILL NEED

MATERIALS

• Light to medium weight green cotton (outer pouch): 23cm x 15cm, x 2

• Light to medium weight cotton in colour and pattern of your choice (inner lining): 23cm x 15cm, x 2

• Medium weight fusible interfacing: slightly smaller than the pouch pieces

• Medium weight water soluble stabiliser to cover template design and fit in hoop, approx. 25cm square

• Zip in colour of your choice, 23cm

• Threads:

- Aurifil 40-50 weight cotton threads (or use similar colours by other brands): - Thread to coordinate with your chosen fabrics and zip - Turquoise (2810) - Natural white (2021) - Black (2692) - Arctic ice (2625) - Peacock blue (6738)

- Canary (2120) - Mustard (5022) - Light turquoise (5006) - Yellow orange (2145) - Bright orange (1133) - Rusty orange (2240) - Emerald (2865) - Red orange (2245) - Salmon (2225) - Medium lavender (2540) - Blue violet (1200)

EQUIPMENT

• Iron and ironing board

• Ruler, 30cm

• Dressmaker’s chalk or pen

• Scissors: - Sewing shears - Thread snips

• Sewing pins

• Ultra-fine Sharpie permanent marker pen

• Embroidery hoop, 7 or 8in

• Sewing machine:

- Fitted with universal machine needles: size 80 - For free-motion embroidery – feed dogs dropped/darning plate fitted and open toe quilting or darning foot attached - For pouch –feed dogs raised. Standard sewing foot and zipper foot needed