WATERMELON BAG
ADD PUNCH NEEDLE GOODNESS TO YOUR SPRING LOOK WITH THIS REFRESHING WATERMELON SHOULDER BAG
Give punch needle a go and make your own stylish bag with The Modern Crafter’s guide
MATERIALS
Punch needle: Oxford, size 10 regular Rug yarn: salmon pink (50g), light teal (35g) and dark teal (45g) Linen punch needle fabric:
45x45cm, white
Linen backing fabric:
36x21.5cm, peach
Calico lining fabric:
36x21.5cm, white x2
Wide-eyed tapestry needle
Sewing machine with zipper foot Gripper (punch needle) hoop:
30cm diameter
Imitation leather bag strap:
120cm length, light teal
Sew-on press stud
Basic embroidery kit
NOTES
Find the template on p75. RS = right side(s).
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01 Mount the punch needle fabric into your hoop, ensuring it is taut. Transfer the design onto your fabric using your preferred method. Draw the template onto the back if not visible through the fabric. Transfer the outer edge of the template onto the backing fabric once and the lining fabric twice.
02 Thread your punch needle – your punch needle should include instructions on how to do this. If you are unsure, visit www. themoderncrafter.co.uk for a video tutorial. Hold the punch needle like a pencil and punch it straight down into the fabric so that the shaft of the needle has gone all the way down. Bring the needle back out and move along 5mm. Take care not to bring the needle out too far as you will pull the loop out. Use the image on p45 as a guide for colour placement.
03 To end your stitch, create some slack and snip your yarn, leaving a short tail. Gently pull the needle back out to release it. Once you have finished, snip away the yarn tails so that they are flush with the stitches.
04 To assemble the bag, cut out your stitching, lining and backing fabric with a 2.5cm seam allowance. Pin the RS of your stitching and backing fabric together, then use a sewing machine with a zipper foot to sew the bottom curved edges together, leaving the top edge unsewn. Stitch your straps to the seam allowance making sure they are secure.
05 Place your two lining panels together and machine stitch along the bottom curved edge of the outline, leaving the top open. Fold over the seams along the top edges of the outer and lining pieces and press.
06 Turn the lining RS out and slide it over your stitched bag. Use ladder stitch to sew the two pieces together along the top edge, making sure your bag straps are out of the way. Turn through and attach your press stud to the top inside edges to finish.