Blue Waves Tote

Our Fyber Cafe textile arts group has decided to make a round robin tote. I made a muslin and batting base, and I am going to decorate the front side, then pass it to 3 other artists, who will each create a side. I began by making some layered waves in light and medium blues and teals. Several prints have silver metallic highlights. I was going to decorate with tropical fish, but then decided to go with the complimentary colors of orange and rust leaves. The curved waves have an ironed 1/4" seam turned under. Then I stitched each with a clear nylon thread and a blind hem stitch.

The leaves are made with painted and melted Tyvek and Lutrador. The Tyvek bubbles up and the Lutrador gets holes melted into it. Then Leaf veins and outlines are stitched on with Rayon threads to form the leaf shape. After trimming, they are only partially stitched onto the base, so as to pop them off the fabric with 3-D curves. The thread painted dragonflies are done with layers of Solvy and rayon threads. The wings are not stitched down, so they are 3-d. click here for directions on how to thread paint a dragonfly.

I used rust and copper acrylic paint to stencil several poppy pods and leaves on the top left side. They are outlined with free motion quilting with extra curly cues.

I've added some hand dyed cheesecloth along the flow of waves, and am adding some beading in blue and teal crystal, bugle and seed beads. I can also add more beads later when I assemble the bag. I am making a large pocket on the outside of the bag, so I have cut the waves and put them on a separate pocket base. The light teal binding finishes the edge. I have sewn on a piece of Velcro too. The pocket is not attached to the base. I will attach it when the tote is finished with lining and interior pockets. I am linking this to Nina-Marie's "Off the Wall Friday" click here check to see what other talented textile artists have done this week.