Retro Bag – Finish – Lyn Briggs Designs

With its gingham fabric and Chicken Stitch Embroidery on the front, the back of the Retro Bag needed a design to complete the retro theme. What to do? My immediate thought was Yo-yos and pretty floral fabrics. So that’s what I’m did: blanket-stitch applique flowers with yo-yos added.

Out came the fabric scraps and I got started.

Blanket-stitch applique is a favourite of mine and it didn’t take long for the design to come to life.

With the Back and Front finished, I was keen to put the bag together.

I started with a blue border on each piece and then fused Pellon to the wrong side to give the bag structure.

I also added casing in the same blue floral fabric for the drawstrings. A piece of ribbon with colourful bunting design was sewn into one of the side seams.

Front of the Retro Bag — **The finished front.**

I made the twisted cords from DMC Embroidery Floss. One cord is more twisted than the other because Milly (the cat) became involved in the process when I was half-way through the twisting. She is fascinated by yarn/thread especially when its moving.

Back of the Retro Bag — **The finished back.**

The bag is lined in the same blue floral fabric used on the front and includes a pocket in pink gingham fabric.

I’m really pleased with my new Retro Bag but something is missing. My bag needs a notions pouch. Will show you that next time.

You are Beautiful …

I had developed a really bad habit of looking at myself in the mirror, seeing all my flaws, and the thought ‘you are ugly’ would come flashing in my mind.

One day, I was reading the Bible, and the Holy Spirit prompted me to read this verse:

“Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:

Forget your people and your father’s house.

Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honour him, for he is your lord.” (Psalm 45:10-11)

It was a timely reminder that instead of listening to the voices from media, or society, or other people’s opinions generally who think they know what beauty is, the only voice that matters is the Lord’s. He carefully knit me together in my mother’s womb (Ps 139:13); selecting the unique qualities that make me ‘me’. His eyes are always upon me and I’m His precious daughter. He is captivated by my beauty. That’s all I need to know.

Until next time

Lyn