Nick Voulgaris III’s coffee table book, ‘The Seaside House: Living on the Water’, recently came across our desks. It’s a breathtaking publication that presents some of the best examples of homes for escaping to the serenity of the seaside and unpacks the interiors, exteriors, gardens and patios of 21 seaside homes from traditional style cottages right through to modern beach houses.

The obvious link between each home is their position by the water, but from there they part ways as each house is fashioned by its owner in the most personal of approaches. Fashion designer Donna Karan has created a Zen-like oasis which provides an escape from the stresses of her everyday life, while Tommy Hilfiger’s vacation home has been fashioned with overtones of 60s and 70s disco fever to complement his vast collection of Pop Art.

Upon closer look, however, there’s another link between many of the homes that feature in Nick’s book; textiles. While their style may differ from home to home, it’s the importance placed on their inclusion that drew our attention. Some home owners have commissioned textiles that complement their specific design briefs, while others have combed local stores to find textiles whose stories align with their home’s location, history or design aesthetic.

Beyond commissioning the perfect piece, or finding a readymade textile, be it old or new, we have the distinct advantage of being able to fashion a piece that not only complements our interior but provides a most personal connection between our home and the work of our hands.

Does your house reflect your love of textile rich pieces? We’d love to see how you’ve included the textiles that you have created throughout your home’s interior. Email news@inspirationsstudios.com

During the 17th Century, wealthy aristocrats would commission ateliers to create highly ornate little bags or purses referred to as ‘sweet bags’. These bags were incredibly intricate, hand stitched masterpieces, embellished with threads made from precious metals, gems and all manner of expensive materials.

Small in size, typically measuring around 7.5cm to 10cm (3” – 4”) square, the name ‘sweet bag’ comes from their other use of carrying perfumed powder or dried flowers and herbs, used to offset the unwelcome scents one would encounter when out and about on the streets in London during a time when sanitation was not what it is today!

It was this fascinating history that inspired designer Victoria Laine to study the collection of sweet bags at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

‘My sweet bag is a modern interpretation of these examples. I wanted to include Australian birds in the design, but kept the traditional flower emblems (pomegranate, peas and roses).

I completed it over a period of 18 months, as it involved many hours of stitching, including the time it took to make the two cords, during which I learned finger braiding but could not make a continuous braid long enough. I then used Japanese braiding to make the cords, which I learned from Jacqui Carey’s wonderful book Creative Kumihimo.’

One of the amazing aspects of this project is that the entire front and back of the bag is covered in stitches, including the silver background, just as the traditional bags were made. With no printed fabrics available back in the 17th Century, the colours were created using exotic threads by covering every square inch of the fabric, just as Victoria has done.

This was perhaps one of the reasons the original sweet bags were so small in size, to help offset the time and cost required to create them. Victoria’s design however is slightly more ambitious than her historical muse with the finished size of her ‘Sweete Bag’ being 15cm x 13.5cm (6” x 5 3/8”).

Large parts of the project are created using tent stitch, a needlepoint technique indicative of the era, as are most of the techniques Victoria has chosen for her design.

If you have never attempted a project 100% covered in stitching, you may be wondering about the order of work – background first or last? In this instance all the colour motifs are stitched first, then the background is stitched around it, with the coiling stems of whipped gold chain worked last. Next, is the construction which is relatively simple and lastly you add the braids for the handle, edging, draw cord and as foundation for the tassels, with the finishing touch being the tassels themselves.

We asked Victoria for some tips as to how to go about re-creating our own Sweete Bag:

‘I experimented with several sized and textured metal threads for the background stitching. On 40 count linen I found that Japanese metal thread number 2 gave the best coverage. Although it can be challenging to work with, as it shreds, I found that the best results occurred when I stitched with my needle 90 degrees to the fabric.

Also, it’s important to find a linen count you are comfortable stitching with, so perhaps try a smaller sample first to make sure you’re happy, as there really is a lot of stitching!’

Thanks for the advice Victoria and for designing such an exquisite and challenging project, it really is exceptional.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Sweete Bag by Victoria Laine is a stunning Elizabethan sweet bag featuring flower and bird motifs.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Sweete Bag includes everything you need to re-create this gorgeous bag: Fabrics (unprinted), wool felt, fusible webbing, jump rings, bee charm, embroidery threads, metal threads, sequins, beads and needles.

Inspired by Victoria Laine’s Sweete Bag, this week’s What Are You Stitching? features bags that have been created with the needles and threads of the Inspirations Community…

Carmel, great minds must think alike as Jenny McWhinney constructed a hoop bag for our publication ‘A Passion for Needlework’ to tame her collection of hoops too! We love the fabric you’ve chosen and think the embroidery you’ve added has given your bag a beautiful aesthetic.

‘Those cute bears were so well received they won 1st Prize and have given much pleasure! Thank you, Jenny and Inspirations.’

June, we love that you took Jenny’s designs and used them in such a creative way! Your bag is just gorgeous and well deserving of its 1st Prize

Kim, we love that you took Lesley McConnell’s design and truly made it your own! Your Hearts and Roses bag is as gorgeous as it is useful. What a thoughtful gift from a friend that has provided many hours of stitching joy!

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Grandiflora by Julie Kniedl is a beautiful three-dimensional magnolia.

~ Nate Berkus ~

Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our new What’s On page on the Inspirations Studios Website HERE.