Edelweiss Handbag Embroidery Kit
Out of stock
Why are our kits so often sold out?
Our kits are in demand and take many hours to make. We make in small batches and keep a waiting list for each kit. To join the list, please complete the 'Email me when available' below. We will then email you with a link to purchase when the next batch of kits is ready.
If you require a kit urgently, please CONTACT ME and we will do our best to help.
As a new teacher at the RSN, I was introduced to the “Devereux Bodice” created in England around 1600 (now housed in the collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute in Japan) by a Japanese student who wished to make a replica. I was overwhelmed by the intricacy of this piece, where every square inch was covered in counted dense stitching in silk and metal, but also has every flower depicted in raised work on top.
My bag design is based on the Edelweiss flower which I see when teaching in the French Alps for The Alpine Experience. It is a beautiful design shape which can be interpreted in many different ways.
I utilised the stitch formula from the Devereux Bodice and other Elizabethan pieces, working the central flower in shaded tent stitch on a ground of fine Swedish linen canvas. The flower is then outlined using pearl purl and surrounded by counted stem stitch filling in metal thread.
Further interpretations of Elizabethan stitches are used in the flowers and to work the background, with the upper border in plaited braid stitch. However, the materials are not always conventional ones, and include specially-made silk gimp which gives a lovely matt contrast to the sparkling spangles.
I enjoy pushing a traditional stitch formula beyond its boundaries, and the rest of the design uses stitches and materials which I feel complement the historic versions. These include stretched metallic mesh ribbon, silk shading, padded fishbone stitch in silk gimp, pleated metal plate, wool/silk and metal purl fringes and a variety of beads.
The kit includes all the materials required to construct the bag, including bespoke wooden bag handles made to my design, Scottish wool tweed backing, silk lining and pre-printed heavyweight stiffening panels.
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Kit Contents - Edelweiss Handbag
Kit Contents - Edelweiss Handbag
- 100% linen evenweave base fabric pre-printed with design
- Pre-printed felt padding
- Non-tarnish metallic twist and passing threads, made in the UK
- Silver-plated pearl purl, made in the UK
- Fine 100% silk-covered gimps, made for Jenny in the UK
- Smooth coloured metallic purls
- Gilt and silver plate broad plate, made in the UK
- Au Ver à Soie 100% silk threads
- Heathway Milano superfine crewel wools
- Polyester sewing threads
- Space-dyed cotton perle, hand-dyed in the UK
- Metallic mesh ribbon
- Glass seed beads and pearls
- Miniature freshwater pearls
- Miracle beads
- Swarovski crystals
- Metallic cups
- Silver-plated and gilt spangles
- Fine copper beading wire
- Pre-printed leather-like iron-on stiffening for bag construction
- Pre-printed Scottish tweed for bag construction
- Pre-printed silk lining fabric
- Bespoke wooden bag handles
- Mini beeswax
- All needles required
- Detailed fully-illustrated instruction manual
Kit Contents - Edelweiss Panel
Kit Contents - Edelweiss Panel
- 100% linen evenweave base fabric pre-printed with design
- Pre-printed felt padding
- Non-tarnish metallic twist and passing threads, made in the UK
- Silver-plated pearl purl, made in the UK
- Fine 100% silk-covered gimps, made for Jenny in the UK
- Smooth coloured metallic purls
- Gilt and silver plate broad plate, made in the UK
- Au Ver à Soie 100% silk threads
- Heathway Milano superfine crewel wools
- Polyester sewing threads
- Space-dyed cotton perle, hand-dyed in the UK
- Metallic mesh ribbon
- Glass seed beads and pearls
- Miniature freshwater pearls
- Miracle beads
- Swarovski crystals
- Metallic cups
- Silver-plated and gilt spangles
- Fine copper beading wire
- Mini beeswax
- All needles required
- Detailed fully-illustrated instruction manual
Extra Kit Information
Extra Kit Information
Each kit is designed with your stitching joy in mind and is lovingly created for you over many hours by our tiny family team in the UK.
Every material you could need to complete the design, however small, is included in carefully-labelled packets. Some kits include over 100 components!
We use only the very best quality materials, and many are made for us by specialist craftspeople sourced by Jenny throughout her career, and hailing from around the globe. Jenny’s skilled family members are often commandeered to make various bespoke components which could never be found otherwise.
Once you purchase a design, we want to you to enjoy and finish the project and therefore are always on hand to answer queries, however small or daft you feel they may be.
The highly comprehensive instruction manuals are written and hand-illustrated by Jenny, rather than using generic stitch diagrams. These are full of the tips and tricks required to express stitches and designs at their very best.
All design shapes are pre-printed on to the various materials included in your kit, to ensure that you have accurate design shapes to work from and can progress straight on to the embroidery without having to transfer the design yourself.
We also aim to provide various items for display or construction of the finished embroidery, allowing you the satisfaction of framing the piece yourself or turning it into a more unusual item such as a bag or book.
I hope that this special design will provide you with a VIP ticket to ‘Jennyland’, an all-consuming experience which will transport you a world of stitching pleasure and imagination. Enjoy!
Kit FAQs
Kit FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES MY KIT INCLUDE?
Your kit includes all the fabric, threads and needles required to complete the design, together with a highly comprehensive illustrated instruction manual, written and drawn by Jenny. All threads are carefully packaged and labelled to denote where they are to be used in the design. We suggest you have a look through all the components to familiarise yourself with the complete kit before starting work. Where relevant, kits also include the materials required to construct the completed embroidery.
WILL I NEED ANYTHING ELSE TO ENABLE ME TO COMPLETE MY KIT?
Yes, but only basic embroidery equipment. A list of the items required can be found in the front of your instruction manual. All items can be purchased from our website. If you have any queries about equipment, please feel free to contact us for advice.
HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE KIT?
Most of our kits are designed for embroiderers with some experience, but the instruction manuals are extremely comprehensive and will teach you all you need to know. If you have any difficulties, or need advice on the difficulty level of a certain kit, you are welcome to contact us.
I FIND TRANSFERRING DESIGNS ON TO FABRIC DIFFICULT
Don’t worry, the designs are all pre-printed for you!
CAN I POST IMAGES OF MY KIT/WORK ON MY BLOG/SOCIAL MEDIA/WEBSITE?
We will be delighted if you wish to show images of this project on your blog/social media/website, as this often inspires others to have a go! However, as a courtesy, please do let me know if you plan to do this, and be aware that blogging of techniques, step-by-step or close-up images, either of the project in progress, the instructions, and the kit contents, is an infringement of copyright. Please always credit the design source and always include Jenny’s website and contact details so that those reading your blog can get in touch. Please highlight any infringements of this copyright which you observe from others.
I AM STRUGGLING WITH A SECTION OF THE DESIGN
One of the most important aspects of buying a kit from us is that you have direct contact to Jenny by email and she will be happy to assist you and provide advice. We cannot always answer within the hour but we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you are really struggling and need more help, we can arrange a lesson for you or to complete the section for you.
I AM MISSING A COMPONENT IN MY KIT OR HAVE RUN OUT OF A THREAD
We do our absolute best to ensure these situations don’t occur, but your kit is made by humans rather than machines and we do occasionally have a senior moment! Please feel free to let us know and we will be happy to supply more.
I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY WORK AND WOULD LIKE TO RE-WORK
We totally understand this - most embroiderers incline to perfectionism! While we sadly can’t provide more materials for free, please just let us know what you require and we will be very happy to supply more.
MY DOG/HUSBAND/HOOVER/SOFA/CAT/GOLDFISH ATE MY THREAD!
It happens! Not a problem. Just let us know what you need and whilst we can’t send these for free, we are more than happy to supply more.
MY THREAD IS DIFFERENT TO THAT IN THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DESIGN
Thread colours may vary somewhat due to dyeing processes and can appear different in reality due to photographic distortion. Due to limitations posed by suppliers, we also reserve the right to substitute project materials with suitable alternatives to those illustrated if absolutely necessary.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT NEW DESIGNS?
Please go to Jenny’s website where you can join the mailing list to find out about all new releases. We promise only to send you relevant embroidery-related news and not to pass your details to third parties.
CAN I SUBMIT MY WORK TO A CRAFT SHOW OR COMPETITION?
We are delighted if you have enjoyed working the project and would like to submit your piece to a craft/country show competition etc. Please do let Jenny know if you are doing this as she would love to hear how you get on. Please always credit the design source and always include Jenny’s website and contact details so that people viewing the piece can get in touch.
CAN I TEACH THE DESIGN TO OTHERS?
If you have enjoyed working the project yourself and would like to share this with friends or wish to work the design with your students, you are welcome to contact Jenny for more kits. The kit and accompanying instructions must otherwise not be copied, reproduced or taught in any form without prior permission. This will otherwise infringe copyright. Multiple kit orders are welcome and can be supplied on a wholesale basis by arrangement. Please contact Jenny for more details.
I WOULD LIKE HELP WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OR DISPLAY OF MY FINISHED WORK
Excellent news. We hope you have enjoyed the journey and are delighted with the finished result! If you would like help with mounting or finishing the design, please feel free to get in touch. If you would like to order a frame, box or similar for displaying the finished piece, please visit the webshop.
Extra Requirements
Extra Requirements
- *An 8” slate frame or a 10” slate frame or a 12” slate frame
- *Nylon cord, strong button thread and packing needle for framing up your slate frame
- *A 4" shallow edged hoop for working small elements of your design
- Curved tip scissors
- A second pair of curved tip scissors to reserve for cutting metal threads
- Lobe tipped lace scissors for separating and cutting layers of delicate fabrics
- *A fine beading awl for making tiny holes
- A mellor for guiding threads into place and laying threads smoothly
- An aficot for laying threads smoothly
- A velvet lined tray to hold beads / metal threads (small or large)
- Chain nosed pliers for bending wires and pulling needles through
- Thimble if you like to use one
- *Tweezers
