DIY Network

Starry Night Handbag Another view of Van Gogh's "Starry Night" is interpreted in couched stitching. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-220

The linear repetition of Van Gogh's work makes his images ideal candidates for reinterpretation in an embroidered form. This handbag re-creates a portion of "Starry Night" worked in couching stitch; the design would also work well on a pillow.

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	Starry Night Handbag
	PDF Starry Night detail: click to download.

Materials:

1/2 yd. medium-weight natural canvas fabric (bag)
1/2 yd. blue cotton quilting fabric (lining)
all-purpose sewing thread in natural and blue
set of 5" bamboo purse handles
sheet of inkjet (sew in) printable fabric
scraps of yarn in cream, lemon, teal and navy blue (different textures and weights, from hand-woven to eyelash)
coordinating 6-strand embroidery floss
14" embroidery hoop
embroidery needle
image/template

Figure A

1. Print the image (see link, at right) onto printable fabric using an inkjet printer and press with a dry iron to set the image. Trim to the edge of the printed design.

2. Cut out a 15" square of canvas. Sew the image to the center using natural-colored thread.

3. Stretch the fabric over a 14" embroidery hoop and begin embroidery (figure A).

Figure B

4. This project uses an embroidery stitch called the couching stitch. It involves laying one thread (e.g., yarn) on the surface of the work and holding it down with small regular vertical stitches using a second thread (e.g., embroidery floss) (figure B).

5. Starting with the image of the sun, lay lemon-colored yarn in the direction of one brushstroke on the image.

6. Thread the embroidery needle with 2 strands of embroidery floss in yellow and tie a knot in the end.

7. Starting on the surface of the work, push the needle through to the back, 1" from the beginning of the brushstroke you are about to embroider (so that the knot rests on top of the work). Go back to the beginning of the line and come back up to the surface of the work.

8. Holding the yarn in place with one hand, stitch over the yarn using small, regular stitches. Be sure to cover the thread underneath as you go. Once you've passed the knot on the surface of the work, cut it off. The stitches will hold the embroidery thread in place without the knot.

9. Continue stitching in this manner, following the line of the brushstrokes on the image. You can choose to embroider the entire surface of the image or just pick out key elements and embroider those.

10. At the end of each section of embroidery, trim the yarn and thread embroidery floss through the stitches on the underside of the work before cutting off.

11. Press the embroidered work.

12. Trim the embroidered work, leaving a 1/2" seam allowance along the sides and bottom and 1" along the top.

13. Cut a second piece of canvas the same size (9"x10-1/2").

14. With right sides together, sew down the sides and across the bottom, using the edge of the printed design as a guide for the seam.

Figure C

15. Flatten the corners at the bottom of the bag and sew across them to create a triangle at the corner. This will square off the corners and create some depth to the bag (figure C).

16. Cut out and sew a lining in the same manner.

17. Cut out 4 pieces of canvas (4"x5") to make tabs.

18. Place two tab pieces with their right sides facing and sew down the long sides with a 1/2" seam allowance. Turn the tab right side out, press and topstitch along either side. Repeat with the second tab.

19. Turn the bag right side out and turn in a 1" seam allowance at the top edge. Press.

20. With the lining wrong side out, repeat the previous step.

21. Slip the lining inside the bag. Slide the tabs through the handles and pin them in place between the bag and the lining fabric. Topstitch around the top edge, securing everything in place. Use a blue thread bobbin and natural top thread so that stitches are minimized.