Vintage Patchwork Messenger Bags

My generous friend, Darlene, gifted me with this vintage postage-stamp quilt top and I have made a couple of bags with it.

I wanted to try something new - the "sketchy" stitching that is oh-so-hip-and-trendy right now. I stitched a face and added a little color with pencils.

Working with some vintage patched "dresden plate" blocks, I arranged everything on the patchwork, added some detail with trims and buttons and finished it as a messenger bag.



Here is the back. I added a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" block and some free-motion stitching.



After standing back and taking a good look, I wasn't sure I liked it. The problem, I think was actually the face. Too "pretty" for the whimsical patchwork. Also, I had covered up one of my favorite parts of the plate block - the bright yellow center with black primitive stitching.

So I made a second, similar bag:



Instead of the face I added an embroidered bluebird and a little message. (The first bag also has a message, did you notice?)

I DO like this one more.

I have never been the "hip and trendy" type!

Sneak Peek

Working on some cheery new designs!

Orange You Glad...?

After using up just about every scrap of vintage patchwork in my previous projects, I wondered if i could create my own...

I went through my stash and pulled out anything with a 70's orange/lime vibe. I was in high school during the 70's and this combination always makes me smile.

I cut and pieced 4.5-inch squares and created this bag. There are dishtowels, tablecloths and vintage fabrics all in the mix.

The carrots are crewel embroidery.



Here is the back...because everything is improved when you add a rooster.





I had enough patches to create a couple of handbags as well.

Vintage enamel daisy pins decorate the flaps.



What do you think?