Greeneyed Gypsy's Beaded Reticule

[Bloomin']

Greeneyed Gypsy won the beaded reticule in the Silent Auction for Packages for our Troops. Her new reticule will be based on this design. The body will be 4-1/4" wide and 5-1/2" long. The beaded handle will be 16" long allowing the top of the bag to hang 7-1/2" from her chatelaine. There will be 25 beaded bangles with the center one being 4-1/2" long and tapering on either side. There will be 2 silk ribbon roses and one bud in the center. It will close with a hook and eye.

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[Bloomin']

Here is her fabulous fabric. Varying stripes of olive and gold with a blue undertone. Beautiful!!

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[Greeneyed Gypsy]

goody goody goody!!:tban Yall Bloomin is so stinkin COOL!:chick

[Bloomin']

The design requires seed beads, bugle beads, and lots of varying special accent beads. There are glass seed beads in yellow-lime, tortoise, and antique bronze. The glass bugle beads are the longer ones and are light blue with silver lining. There is an antique brass rectangular bead. The darker green is Russian Jade. There is Peace Stone Jasper in rice and lantern shapes, olive Czech glass faceted clear beads, and Swarovski crystal AB.

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[Bloomin']

The silk ribbon for the flowers is 4mm wide and the colors are Light Antique Blue and Grass Green.

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[Greeneyed Gypsy]

GASP!! :faint WOAH...ohhhhh its so RICH looking! :ty :faint

[Bloomin']

Here is the proposed design for the dangles. The yellow bead is a simulated pearl but I discovered it is magnetic!! so I have to find a substitute. We don't want GG walking through Convention being drawn to guns and belt buckles. :)

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[Bloomin']

goody goody goody!!:tban Yall Bloomin is so stinkin COOL!:chick

Ahhhh, GG :blush Isn't it fun to have somebody making something for you??!!

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Its rather dreamy actually I feel like Cinderella!! :tban :ty :tban :ty

[Duzy Wales]

WOW, AND YOU PICKED HER FAVORITE COLORS! CONGRATULATIONS, GG! YOU WILL SURELY BE STUNNING AT THE CONVENTION!

WE WILL BE WAITING FOR :ss OF YOU, YOUR OUTFIT AND THE RETICULE! :jp

BLOOMIN', :ty FOR MAKING GYPSY'S DAY AND FOR HELPING THE TROOPS!

[Allie Mo]

Oooh, Lucky GG!

It's gonna be a beaut!

[Lizzie Marie]

Wow that is gorgeous....can't wait to see it GG (and maybe escape with it):go

[Lady LaSalle]

Oh that is going to be gorgeous!!!! I can't wait to see it!

[Chantilly]

The yellow bead is a simulated pearl but I discovered it is magnetic!! so I have to find a substitute. We don't want GG walking through Convention being drawn to guns and belt buckles. :)



:lool :lool Now...I don't know...that sounds like it could be fun!! :lool :lool

Bloomin' - you have wonderful taste!! Can't wait to see the finished reticule!

[Ida Hands]

Here is the proposed design for the dangles. The yellow bead is a simulated pearl but I discovered it is magnetic!! so I have to find a substitute. We don't want GG walking through Convention being drawn to guns and belt buckles. :)

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Hmmm.... it all depends on the wearer of the guns or buckles. Oh, and Miss Gypsy's hubby!
:tban :faint

[Sweet Violet]

Oh how very lovely!! Such rich colors!! You'd better keep that very close to your person Gyps, or it may just walk off with me!!!

[Bloomin']

After deciding the size of the reticule, make a paper pattern adding seam allowances. I traced the paper pattern onto pattern saver so I could move the pattern around on the fabric and see where my fold lines would be and what would look best with the silk embroidery. The antique blue ribbon turned white on the gold so I wanted to keep the blue-green stripes on the flap area. Use the pattern to cut out the fashion fabric and a lining.

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[Bloomin']

I want three spider web roses on the flap of GG's reticule. I mark where I want them.

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Then with 10 inches of beading thread knotted on one end I bring the needle and thread from the underside up and sew 5 spokes about 1/4" long going back to the center with each stitch.

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Thread about 16-1/2" of silk ribbon on a short large-eyed needle, knot one end, and bring the needle and thread from the backside up the center of the spokes. Work in a circular direction slipping the needle and thread under one spoke, over the next, under the next, over the next until there is only 2" of ribbon remaining. Thread the needle to the other side and knot off.

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A finished spider web rose:

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[Bloomin']

I got the silk ribbon from www.smockingstore.com (http://www.smockingstore.com) She has an incredible color selection!

Here are some good silk ribbon embroidery instructions:

www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00017_pe.asp (http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00017_pe.asp)

www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00017_pe2.asp (http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00017_pe2.asp)

[Bloomin']

Silk ribbon embroidery was very popular in Victorian fashion and was used on everything from undergarments and stockings to ballgowns. There are a lot of embellishments available today to replicate silk ribbon embroidery including appliques that use a combination of ribbon and thread. So why embroider by hand when there are ready-made flowers and hot glue guns? For me, it was just about learning something new and appreciating the skills and time it took to create the clothing and accessories Victorian ladies wore.

Here is GG's finished reticule flap with the roses and leaves, a bud, and some beaded dewdrops:

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[Lazy K]

Thanks BY. one of my up and coming project is a reproduction of a Deliniator dress. It has embroidered velvet trim but was going to do the silk ribbon embroidery or beads and seeing your rose has pushed me toward the Silk ribbon (with some bead highlights)

[Lazy K]

Thanks BY. I've been wanting to try silk ribbon embroidery for a long time. Do you use any kind of special needle?

In addition to the websites you mentioned, there is a pretty good book called "Splendid Silk Ribbon Embroidery" by Chris Rankin. I think I got my copy used on Amazon

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

:tban :chick :tban :chick :party :jp :007 if we had a little indian dancing around in circles whooping....it would go right here!!

[Bloomin']

Thanks BY. I've been wanting to try silk ribbon embroidery for a long time. Do you use any kind of special needle?

In addition to the websites you mentioned, there is a pretty good book called "Splendid Silk Ribbon Embroidery" by Chris Rankin. I think I got my copy used on Amazon

Lazy K, thanks for the tip on the book!!

The needle is short - about 1-1/2" - but the important part would be the size of the eye. This silk ribbon is 4 mm but you can get much wider ribbon and I think you would want it to slip easily through the eye. I have an assortment of Dritz Craft Needles that looks like it would have everything you would need. The beading needle is special as it is really thin and 2" long.

[Nellie Blue]

GG!!! How did you get so lucky!!!???!!! :chick :chick :chick

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

I bid!:lool This was for the silent auction to support the troop boxes that Fannies sends out for us...:tban :ty

[Nellie Blue]

You're so smart!!! :gg

[Bloomin']

Once the flap embroidery is finished, the lining and fashion fabric can sewn together. Place the right sides together and sew both edges and the flap. Leave the end open. Press the seams open and turn right sides out and press again. If you flatten the embroidery in your pressing just mist with water and blow dry with a blow dryer.

Determine where your bottom crease will be as that is where you will start your beading. I use about 5' of beading thread each time. Run the thread through one seed bead (the small circular ones) tying quadruple knots. Use single thread. Place the needle in the center of the bottom crease and pull all the thread through. The seed beads help take the pressure off the fabric. String your beads in the pattern you chose. There will be one bead at the end that will be your return bead. After that bead you will bring the needle and single thread back through all the beads and up through the crease bead. Hold onto the return bead and pull your thread until all the slack is out of the beads and they lay in a tight, smooth line. Add another crease bead to your string and then go through the crease and continue your beading.

Bringing thread back up through beads:

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When you knot off your thread it helps to hold your needle point through the center of the knot right where you want the knot to tighten. When you pull the thread the knot will slide down your needle and tighten right at the point. Double knot and apply a dab of glue to all knots for security. This is what the inside of the reticule will look like with the crease beads.

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[Bloomin']

And this is the outside with the finished beading and a swag:

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[Nellie Blue]

It's going to be so beautiful!!

[Bloomin']

Add a handle using the same method. To keep the handle smooth on a chatelaine I used seed beeds only. Here I used a pattern of 10 antique brass, 1 blue, 1 tortoise, 1 blue, 10 antique brass, 1 green, 1 tortoise, 1green, 10 antique brass, repeat to the end. At the bottom edge, turn the fabric and lining inside to form a seam and blind stitch closed. Blind stitch the edges closed. Add a hook and eye closure for the flap.

So here is Greeneyed Gypsy's finished beaded reticule!!

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[Nellie Blue]

FANTASTIC!!!! :tban :tban

[Kitty Phann]

That is so very pretty. Bloomin you did an awesome job!!!! GG will be dancing around the house waiting for the mailman.

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Oh is that ever elegant looking...oh my I was not planning on working on the dress that goes with this until October, now it is going to be all I can do to keep my fingers off the fabric until then!!

Bloomin its absolutly beautiful!

Talk about making a dress worthy of the accessories! :faint

[Tatted Lady]

Oh BY, that is so beautiful.

GG, you are one lucky girl.

Thanks for the class. Will have to add that to my "to do" list.

TL

[Duzy Wales]

Bloomin', it is absolutely beautiful, you did an outstanding job! :bow

Gypsy, Congratulations on winning the bid! :tban

[Bloomin']

Thanks everyone! I love this and will have a difficult time packing it and sending it away! I had to press the flap again as I used a heavy lining to support the beading and protect the fashion fabric as I saw it peeking out from behind the flap. But now I'm wondering if I'm really finished :confused: The beaded reticule I made earlier had silk ribbon stitched around the curve of the flap and I'm wondering if this one should too. GG's reticule is twice as wide and long as the black one. The beading is the same length but the dangles don't go all the way to the edges because of the weight. What do you think?

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[Greeneyed Gypsy]

I like it! For the dress it will go with I think it will be perfect...the fabric has enough colors in it I am not planning on a lot of beaded trim or such....so this will stand out nicely but still go along with the dress. I really like what you have done!!:tban

[Madame Olive Yew]

(gasp) Ohh My! :faint That is a piece of art! Wonderful job Bloomin! :tban :tban

[Bloomin']

Well then if Greeneyed Gypsy loves it, so do I!! It's harder when you are doing something for someone else than for yourself, isn't it? :ty GG!

[Bloomin']

Some of Karen Ryan's "Ten Healing Crystals for Women" for some of the stones on GG's reticule:

Jade - soothes the emotions and helps keep the peace for community relations. It provides a sense of self-worth, self-sufficiency and capability in dealing with any situation. Jade promotes harmony, balance, and tranquility through emotional detachment. Jade is excellent for recovery after an unpleasant experience.

Jasper - makes it easier to use one's own power and to know that it cannot be taken away. It calms aggressive energy, and facilitates safety and protection during recovery periods (e.g. from stress, operations, and other life traumas). Green Jasper restores energy and focus during recovery from burnout.

[Allie Mo]

It's beautiful! Lucky GG!

[Lady LaSalle]

How beautiful!!!!!! You do good work, lady!!!!

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

Oh Bloomin Yankee. WOW!!. You are very talented. GG: You are a very lucky lady. That just turned out lovely.:tban :tban :tban

[Chantilly]

Oh that is wonderful!! Nice work BY!! :tban GG - :sewing that dress so we can see it all put together!! :tban

[maisondeverneur]

Bloomin - I'm just absolutely STUNNED by your beadwork!! It's AMAZING!!

[Accurate Allie]

Bloomin' your beadwork is beautiful!!! :tban

[Nellie Blue]

Can you tell me what type of thread or wire you used for the beading? I started looking for thread and I saw all these sizes and types...couldn't figure out what to use. I have some little bugle beads that I'm going to be sewing onto silk and don't know where to start! :help

[Bloomin']

Nellie Blue, I went through the same thing. So I bought several and the one that worked the best was from Wal-Mart. Mainstays Crafts Bead Thread. It only came in white. I also saw a lot of 3-ply bead cord size E but that is too heavy. I had to buy a few kinds and open the pack before I found the right size.

[Nellie Blue]

Nellie Blue, I went through the same thing. So I bought several and the one that worked the best was from Wal-Mart. Mainstays Crafts Bead Thread. It only came in white. I also saw a lot of 3-ply bead cord size E but that is too heavy. I had to buy a few kinds and open the pack before I found the right size.

Did the "Mainstays" come in more than one size or more than one?

[Kitty Phann]

Bloomin what an awesome reticule. Your beadwork is wonderful.

[Lady Leigh]

How adorable is that!!!!!!! Lucky GG!!! Talented Bloomin'!!!!!

I simply do not have the patience for beadwork! Wish I did, but alas I don't...

[Lazy K]

Well then if Greeneyed Gypsy loves it, so do I!! It's harder when you are doing something for someone else than for yourself, isn't it? :ty GG!

YES!!!!!!:faint

[Bloomin']

Did the "Mainstays" come in more than one size or more than one?

Nellie, it was a one and only item and it doesn't have any size indicated. It says 75 yards No. 90401 Bead Thread. There is a picture of it in Post #18.

[Bloomin']

YES!!!!!!:faint

Are you referring to a certain mourning dress? :lool

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

I am impressed! That is so pretty!

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Well then if Greeneyed Gypsy loves it, so do I!! It's harder when you are doing something for someone else than for yourself, isn't it? :ty GG!

yes but your hair is already such a lovely shade of silver:lool :lool :lool :go

Its very hard to sew for others and worry if they will like something, and very often I like things and others dont, and Others love something I think is not so great. I was told once I have very mundane taste. :lalala :rofl

GG

[Bloomin']

It's in the mail!! 2-3 days!!:tban

[maisondeverneur]

Bloomin - recently I was watching 'House of Chanel' on the television where they followed the seamstresses as they made the Chanel collection for Paris Fashion week. Their signature gown was of course a wedding dress, and beaded. They used a little gadget where all the beads were threaded onto the thread, then the gadget was somehow pushed through the fabric, each time releasing a single bead. They then went on to the next bead, etc, etc, etc. Have you ever seen such a gadget? If you have, where can I can get one?

[Catawba Kate]

BY, you really amaze me girlfriend!! That is one beautiful reticule!!!:tban :tban

[Bloomin']

Bloomin - recently I was watching 'House of Chanel' on the television where they followed the seamstresses as they made the Chanel collection for Paris Fashion week. Their signature gown was of course a wedding dress, and beaded. They used a little gadget where all the beads were threaded onto the thread, then the gadget was somehow pushed through the fabric, each time releasing a single bead. They then went on to the next bead, etc, etc, etc. Have you ever seen such a gadget? If you have, where can I can get one?

Although I've never seen this gadget, I'm going to search like crazy for one because it sounds wonderful! Thank you Kate!

[Sweet Violet]

Holy sucking in of air Batman!!! That turned out so very fantastic!!! I love the beading and the sweet ribbon roses!! It is so very perfect and totally spot on with the inspiration reticule!!! Way to go BY!!! Yeah for you GG!! :jp :jp

[maisondeverneur]

Re the beading tool, I found one on the internet last night (I though I'd posted the link then but must have pressed the wrong button LOL) Anyway, here it is:-

http://www.londasclovernotions.com/site/602846/product/No.%209900

[Kitty Phann]

Cool Tool!!!!

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Its here Its here Its here!!!!:tban :tban :tban :tban

Thank you so much BY for making me suck a pretty reticule that I now need to step up the design of the dress I intend to wear it with....:faint :rofl

I have already asked Hubbie of her could wizard up a LOJAC system to embed in the lining to keep this little beauty on my person!

IT has just enough weight from the beads and the colors all flow together beautifully.

{{Psst and it works with the earrings I found for the dress too!:tban }}

Thank you Bloomin...I love it!

Greeneyed (who is starting to get excited about Convention...:faint :lalala ) Gypsy

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Ok just read Kates mention of beaded dresses and the cool tool Bloomin found for purchase...Lord I love the Alley! :ty :tban :ty :tban :ty :tban


Oh and wouldnt it be great for B west stuff too??!? Isent the embroidery on the older antique shirts a chainstitch?!?! Ohhhhhh Kid you can make your own Nuddie inspired designs!! :tban

Oh opps I read that wrong....Kate found the tool!! Kate thank you so much for sharing the great info and the new gadget!!

[Bloomin']

Re the beading tool, I found one on the internet last night (I though I'd posted the link then but must have pressed the wrong button LOL) Anyway, here it is:-

http://www.londasclovernotions.com/site/602846/product/No.%209900

Wow, Kate, thank you!!! I am soooo all over this one!! :ty

[Bloomin']

:tban :tban It's there and she like's it!!!:tban :tban Did you see the tag inside?

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Tag?!?! Inside?! You mean theres an inside? :faint Its so stinking pretty on the outside and theres more!??!?:tban

Ohhhhh lookie !! made especially for youby Bloomin Yankee!!!

Perfection!

:ty GG

[Bloomin']

For anyone who might want to try their own beading, here are kits on ebay of the first beaded reticule I made. It is very small but really teaches you how to do this. The seller has two colors available and they usually sell for $35 so $9.99 is a great deal!

http://cgi.ebay.com/HEIRLOOM-PURSE-AMULET-BEADED-KIT-62-NEW_W0QQitemZ200146960450QQihZ010QQcategoryZ31724Q QcmdZViewItem

[maisondeverneur]

Wow! that's fantastic! Does it include the actual bag 'pouch' also? Or does it give instructions to make it from your own fabrics, then they supply all the beads to bead it with? sorry, I'm completley new to beading but dying to have a go!

[Bloomin']

Wow! that's fantastic! Does it include the actual bag 'pouch' also? Or does it give instructions to make it from your own fabrics, then they supply all the beads to bead it with? sorry, I'm completley new to beading but dying to have a go!

Hi Kate! The very first post in this thread is a picture of my first reticule which is from this very same kit. It is small, about 2" wide by 3" long and about 4-1/2" of beading and a very long handle. I wore it to the Victorian Tea in May with Diane's gown. Everything is there. It is actually an embroidered ribbon which when folded becomes a pouch. You could really attach the ribbon to the center of some fabric and have a larger reticule. The directions are great, the needles, bead thread, and all the beads are included. It's worth it!

And thank you Kate for finding the beading embroidery tool from this same seller! It does beading and sequins on fabric. I ordered one and will give it a try. I think the seller has two more.