Jordbærdrøm

Here is another great tote bag and yes it is by my favourite Norwegian designer AnnAKa, and this bag is called "Jordbærdrøm" which means "Strawberry Dream". With these strawberries appliqued to the front, it is the perfect tote bag to use in the summer. This kit was from a Swedish online shop, Lapp-Elisa, and I love the fabrics that Elisabeth chose for this kit. Various techniques are used to make this bag, including applique and machine quilting....

---

.....I used a fusible method of applique for this project and used steam-a-seam-lite, then I stitched around the leaves and strawberries and stalks using a button-hole stitch (by machine) to secure them, and used a black King Tut quilting thread. The back of the bag was quilted in a cross-hatch design, and the front was quilted "stitch-in-the-ditch" around the centre panel ....

---

.....and the top and bottom panel were quilted in straight rows, using a matching shade of quilting thread. I used a fusible pellon for the wadding. The bottom seam was stitched first, to give a flat bottom to the bag, then the side seams were neatened with a single-fold binding, as were the corners, and did I add a label?? Oh yes - so everyone knows where this bag came from!! The famous "Nicola Foreman" hehe!.....

---

.....and the black leather-look handles really finish it off!! I used a black DMC embroidery thread to attach them - and yes I did wear my thimble when I sewed the handles on this time!! I'm really pleased with this bag - it will be perfect to take along on picnics - if we have any more sunny days this year!!

---