Jane Close has been making fabric bags of all shapes and sizes for a number of years, using all types of recycled and old fabric where she can.

This workshop focuses on her take on the JAPANESE STYLE RICE BAG from a pattern she has perfected over time.

The embellishment on the outside of the bag, will be your choice, and can be as elaborate or as simple as you want to make it. This designing will be part of the workshop. Simplicity is often just as effective. Your finish can be all machined, or a combination of both hand and machine.

Jane will have for you to purchase on the weekend the outer denim & base made up from old jeans if you cannot get hold of old denim and want to use this. Charity shops are a good source of old denim

REQUIREMENTS LIST

Sewing machine (don’t forget the pedal and cable and the manual is always useful.

Bring the sewing machine feet you have, as you never know which one you may want to use, especially if you have free motion feet, these are especially useful to make machine cords for the ties on the bag, but don’t worry they can be made with a general machine foot.

Spare machine needles, if you have jeans needles bring these.

If you have it, Bondaweb and stitch and tear, you may want to use it, but don’t buy it especially as you can get it  in the shop.

A selection of sewing machine threads, & machine embroidery threads if you have them.

Usual sewing kit, pins, clips, scissors, hand sewing needles.

Rotary cutter if you have one. There are cutting mats at Cowslip, but if you want to bring your own that’s fine.

Hand embroidery threads, to go with you colour scheme, you may want to do some hand stitching as well.

Pen, pencils and paper to help plan your design, if you have any inspirational material you may want to work from, bring this too. The design area is approx. 20 cm deep x 60 cm long if this helps.

A paper pattern will be included in the cost of the workshop for the bag.

Fabric for the outer of the bag, Jane usually uses old recycled jeans, don’t worry if they have rips this can be patched or used in the design. (approx. 2 pairs) Or you can use new denim fabric, approx. ½ a metre.

BAG LINING, ½ a metre for the lining as well, cotton or cotton upholstery fabric works well ,scraps of the lining fabric can also be used for the handles and ties.

Fabric scraps for the embellishment of you bag to compliment the lining,

Button and beads and anything you may want to couch down. Jane often uses old lace bobbins.

Wool / yarn to make machine cords, for the ties on your bag. Jane will bring a selection yarn that you can use.

If you would like to purchase the outer bag from Jane this will be £10 payable to her on the day.