Correction: The book Pillow Talk was written by both Pam Damour and Katie Bartz. Katie Bartz also digitized all of the designs in the book. The source in the magazine only credited Pam Damour as author. We apologize for the error.

Download the purse pattern to make a sophisticated purse! The free snowflake design has expired. The design is available by purchasing Pillow Talk at pamdamour.com.

Download tips for working with metallic thread!

SHOPPING LIST

• clutch pattern
• 1⁄2 yard of 54"-wide silk (exterior)
• 1⁄2 yard of coordinating 54"-wide silk (lining)
• heavyweight fusible stabilizer
• decorative button
• thread: all-purpose, bobbin & metallic embroidery
• removable fabric marker
• snowflake embroidery design

Get Started

• Cut two clutch bodies each from the stabilizer and both fabrics. Transfer the pattern markings to the exterior and lining bodies.
• Cut one 1"x10" strip from the coordinating silk.
• Fuse one stabilizer body to each exterior body wrong side, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Embroider

• Using the machine screen or embroidery software, combine several snoflake designs or reduce or enlarge one design so it’s 240mm long, if necessary.
• Fold one exterior body in half lengthwise with right sides together; unfold. Measure 4" from the upper edge along the fold; mark on the fabric right side, using a removable fabric marker.
• Hoop the exterior body, centering the mark within the hoop. Place the hoop on the machine. Thread the machine, and then embroider the design.
• Once the embroidery is complete, remove the hoop from the machine and the fabric from the hoop.

Construct
Use 1⁄2" seam allowances unless otherwise noted.

• Align the exterior bodies with right sides together. Stitch the lower edge; press open the seam.
• Align the lining bodies with right sides together. Stitch the lower edge, leaving a 4" opening for turning; press open the seam.
• Snip the notches, as indicated by the pattern, on the exterior and lining bodies. With right sides together, stitch each curved edge, beginning and ending at one notch (A). Trim the seam allowance to a scant 1⁄4".
• Mark 3⁄4" from both sides of the straight seam at each end (B).
• Fold the seam with wrong sides together, aligning the marks; pin (C). Stitch from one notch to the lower-edge seam. Repeat to stitch the opposite edge.

• Turn the bag right side out through the lining opening. Turn the lining raw edges 1⁄2" to the wrong side; topstitch
  the lining opening closed. Push the lining into the bag with wrong sides together.
• Position the bag on a flat surface with the front side facing up. Measure 1" from the bag lower edge; mark. Hand sew a decorative button along the mark.
• Fold the front flap toward the button, exposing the lining. Fold the embroidered flap over the lining (D).
• Align the strip long edges with right sides together; stitch the long edge and one short edge using a 1⁄4" seam allowance. Turn the tube right side out.
• Remove several stitches from the embroidered upper edge. Position the tube ends between the exterior and lining fabric, creating a loop that’s large enough to loop around the button; pin (E). If the tube is too long, trim it to the desired size. Slipstitch the opening closed.
• Position the loop around the button to secure.

Design
Snowflake: Design included in Pillow Talk by Pam Damour & Katie Bartz, designs digitized by Katie Bartz, published by Publishing Solutions Group; (518) 297-2699, pamdamour.com (Download the Snowflake design for free until January 3, 2011.)

Appeared in:

November/December 2010