Feb 08 - Red Lantern Style Pouch

Golly! 4 posts in 1 day (if you include my other blog) This weekend I've only gone outside to get the paper and walk the woofer; the rest of the time I've been crafting, surfing, and munching on apple cookies.  Winter has it's upsides.

I've finished the February  08 bag for Sewing Word Magazine. The magazine theme for Feb is Valentine's, rich red to soft pink, and prettyness.  So in keeping with the red (and romantic-ish) theme I designed this drawstring pouch, but I wanted to make it a bit showy for a romantic night out, so I've added this yummy beaded tassel (which I've had in my trimmings stash for years, so glad I finally got to use it). After I finished the bag I realized that it looks quite Oriental what with the red colour, the round shape, and the tassel.  It reminds me of red Chinese Lanterns.  This wasn't intentional, but I needed to give the bag a name, so 'Red Lantern Style Pouch' it is!

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Magazine cover for Feb 2008.

Pouch open.  I have used this red fabric, and this teal blue fabric, and these eyelets.

 

Pull the drawstring handles and the bag closes to resemble a red Chinese Lantern (which makes me think of Chinese food...mmm!)

Side view

Inside view

Close-up of tassel, finally put to use.

In case you might want one, I've posted an eyelets tutorial here.

Do you like Chinese food?  What's your fave dish?

Comments

[Akhila]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
My little boys and I just came back from a Lantern Walk which was wonderful, and so is your lantern bag.
I just adore that red fabric, and will most certainly NEED to get my hands on some...
Akhila

[Andrea]

A drawstring which can change the shape of the bag, serve as handles and offer a secure fastening all at the same time!! Very clever and excellently thought out. Do you mock up your ideas in fabric before you make the sample or do you just 'go for it?

[Zelia]

Galinha com caju... now, how do i say that in english... chicken with "caju", or nº 23???
hahahah

[Lisa]

you have an impressive ability to match fabric patterns so that they each enhance & play off of the other. and i love the way the eyelets echo the dots in the red fabric. oh yeah, food: mu shu vegetables is one of my faves. how can you not like pancakes for supper?

[Meg McElwee]

Brilliant, Lisa! Really.

[KATHI DEREVAN]

Oh, I love the shape, both cinched up and not!

My favorite Chinese food at the moment is Egg Fu Yung. A call from a friend who had just eaten some in Chicago put it into my head and I haven't been able to get enough since. Probably my all-time favorite though is Kung Pao Chicken.

[Tina]

I really like the drawstring handles. I don't have a favorite chinese dish. It would be whatever I'm craving at the moment.

[jonipossin]

I absolutely love the purse!! Everything about it!! Did you create the pattern or is it available someplace?? I would love it!
Hugs,
Joni
Oh... food. I love salt and pepper shrimp, and Chinese stringbeans, and spring rolls. My favorite Chinese food is in Chicago.

[Joanna]

I really love the ribbon detail on the bag where the two fabrics meet. I just love all chinese food and want some NOW

[beth]

I love that fabric--in fact, I'm making a quilt from it. It makes a very nice bag, too!

Favorite Chinese food? The anything filled eggroll.