The making of an Exquisite Sewing Case.

Christmas around the corner, The Jeanie&Me HQ, Puddle, Cornwall.

The box of velvet remnants has gone a long way. When I first delved in I laid out the cloth into categories; biggest, small and smallest. What could be done with each? How could I squeeze every last jewel-coloured drop from these remnants? I cut the bigger products first and the remnants that followed in their funny shapes and sizes were re-categorized. The Exquisite Sewing Cases were designed to honour the smallest scraps.

First the colourful patchwork is laid out on the table top, to check the colours compliment their neighbours. The case is sewn as a whole and then folded. This is taken into consideration as different colours will end up sitting next to each other. Velvet has a ‘nap’: a direction that the plush fibres run. and These want to rub up against each other when sewing. Tiny little pieces wanting to shift and move means extra special care is taken over the patchwork. A few millimetres out makes all the difference when your pieces are only 5cm long to start with!

Once all joined together, the newly whole piece is marked out with crisp chalk lines, ready for quilting. Golden thread is also a little temperamental, and the machine tension must be changed to the perfect setting or metallic quilting can become a battle rather than a delight! Tiny cushions appear as the velvet and wadding are sandwiched together. (The wadding I use is all repurposed from second-hand quilted homewares)

The velvet shimmers in the light and the end result is splendid. Each intersection gets a twinkling bead or sequin The satin ribbon tie is secured, and further adorned with a big sparkly jewel! As you can probably tell, it’s a lot of fun putting these together. The lining is now sewn in, which includes the colourful boiled wool needle holders. A cheeky Jeanie&Me stamp tucked away beneath them. A bit more stitching and a bit more pressing… and the final flourish of adding all the pretty pearlescent pins and needles, mini thread spools, tape measure and adorable folding scissors. Tied up with a beautiful bow! Every one gets a little pat of delight at the end for looking so pretty. Truly an Exquisite Sewing Case from start to finish.

I hope they inspire and delight many a sewing project: big or exquisitely small.

Shop the Exquisite Sewing Cases here