Blue Abstract Shopping Bag

Description

Angular circles of 'petals' surround a decorative centre, possibly resembling an opening rose – or a tornado, whirlpool, ring…. It can be argued which side is the front, but for simplicity I'm calling the side with the one large 'flower' the front, and the side with 4 smaller 'flowers' the back. This bag is similar to the green bags from supermarkets, but it is padded, lined and much more attractive.
Description: This bag is unique. All sides feature a collection of different blue patterned fabrics, lined and quilted. The front and back feature angular circles of flowers – 1 on the front and 4 on the back. The shorter sides have partial flowers, and the bottom is a segment of leaf.
Technique: Choose a striking patterned fabric, and cut it to have about 5 or 6 sides. Add a contrasting fabric, stitching along the straight edges of the centre piece. Cut the new fabric into straight edges. Continue adding different fabrics, maintaining the straight edges, until it is as large as necessary. Create a quilt sandwich (top, wadding, lining). Quilt around the each layer of ‘petals’, beginning with the centre fabric, using a dark blue cotton thread. Trim and make in to a bag and add a decorative embroidery pattern on the handles.
Bag

Details: The bag is all cotton, including the thread and wadding. It is about 35 cm high x 35 cm wide x 17 cm deep, measured on the outside. The handles are 45 cm long and 4 cm wide. Cold wash is recommended, and dry in the shade. The price you pay, minus packing and shipping, will be donated to WIRES, the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service.