more bags
woven shibori
natural dyes
linen
a pattern from a 1980’s Handwoven magazine – my favorite for work bags
the top of the bag is double and is woven longer than the body panels
the placement of the shibori pattern in each bag is different
I wove enough for 3 bags and planned to dye one with kakishibu but the weaving was slower than I anticipated the necessary sun was disappearing by the time I was ready to dye
so–next year
they are lined and have big pockets
at one time I could purchase woven cotton tape for the handles and dye it to match
now all I can find is polyester – which, of course won’t dye (the blue)
the dyes are indigo
and persimmon rind dyed before pulling up the shibori threads, then top dyed with lac using an iron modifier
the handles have extra stitching for maximum strength
the indigo is blooming – but I can’t see any seed formation
and the hollyhocks are almost finished
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com 
These bags are wonderful in the photo. They are even better in real life. Thanks for sharing at show and tell
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thanks, Arlene. show and tell was great. you should see the towel with red borders I bought at Maiwa- justification was the group project.
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yes, alice is right, the proportions are lovely. really nifty info from susan about the indigo seeds, IF mine ever get that far.
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Velma – the seeds for these plants came from Susan so she has success but our weather is changing, if we get an early frost then no seeds for me.
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Wonderful bags. The parts have such nice proportions.
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I love the begs too, the weaving and the dyes are fabulous. The pattern seems very easy to make, I will have to try to reproduce it.
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Blandina – they just take time to make but would be much easier with commercial fabric.
Alice – the woven width determines the size, it is fun to play with that a bit.
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Oh, I love those bags. And the acceptance of how you will have to wait until next year for the necessary sun. It makes me sit back and remember to have patience.
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Renee – I love kakishibu or I might not be so patient – and there is a possibility that it might accidentally fall into another dye pot.
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No, I don’t see seeds yet either, but when you check the stem of blossoms and you see little brown bits, then there are seeds present. Then you can pick that little stem and leave it to dry up. The seeds that are good will be dark and will harden up. Any that are green will not be viable. If you leave them outside until the whole blossom stem turns brownish, then you risk all the rain that is coming our way and that moisture will make the first bunch of seeds start to sprout on the stem. And they don’t resprout in the spring! Better to keep watch and pick as the seeds start. I have quite a bunch in a container drying up, waiting for a good shake to get the seeds out – middle of Oct. maybe. Don’t you feel rich in indigo now… Susan
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Hi Susan – I’ll watch carefully, worried about the weather – it has been so unpredictable. And yes, I’m feeling very blue!
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