Couture Evening Bags

It has been a very long time since I have blogged about my adventures in tambour embroidery, but I assure you I have not been idle.  Here is a recent bag that I made, using couture fabric from Paris, with silk threads from Japan, metallic threads, and Swarovski crystals.  Pictured above is the gold striped fabric stretched on the frame, and the rather stringy mess of the beginning, with many threads left to pull through the back and clip.  It is a little puckered in the middle because the fabric is not quite tight enough on the frame at this point.  At the time of taking this photo, I did more sitting and pondering colors than stitching.

Below is the work in better progress-- I love using Swarovski lochrosen crystals.  They are so useful in tambour embroidery and help all the colors surrounding POP out!

Ahhhh.. nothing like a good mocha latte break!  I love it when the barrista takes the time to finish off the top with a design!

Back to work...  More stitching is in place.  All of this is done with surface tambour embroidery.  The only straight stab stitching was the big crystals and the amber colored beads.  Even the lochrosen beads were stitched using the tambour hook.

The finished design, with all threads pulled to the back and clipped, then a light bit of glue on the ends to keep them in place.  Unfortunately I did not re-stitch one of the two bottom amber beads and they are slightly crooked.  Minor detail but I still wish I had taken the time while it was still on the frame.  

And it is finished into a nice clutch purse.  There is a heavier fabric underneath that is black, with the gold striped silk organza on top.

Pink silk kimono fabric was used inside, with a small pocket for business cards or a lipstick.

Voila!  The bag is finished and ready for better photos to be taken!  These were taken in my little work station in my apartment.  Stay tuned for more designs and more bags.