This beaded bag has been an ongoing project. During Christmas season 2004, I did the beadwork. For a pattern, I scanned a black-and-white illustration out of an old book (pre-1920), and printed it on inkjet canvas. I worked bead embroidery over the pattern, then backfilled around the pattern with the ivory beads.
During Christmas season 2005, I sewed the beadwork into a quilted bag. I used velvet ribbon, asian-pattern satin, and a scrap of red and gold silk I received in a mail swap. The bag was machine-quilted in columns, and I stitched down a red trim as I quilted for extra texture.
It needs a handle, and I’m considering a beaded handle. Here’s a start…probably will need to use something inside to reinforce the beading. Maybe fringe the bottom of the bag?