Twig&Tale Storyteller Project: A Project Bag and Sewing Kit
Tools of Imagination
March’s theme for the 2025 Twig&Tale Storytellers is Imagination (read my Storyteller post here). I initially struggled with what to sew and write about to showcase imagination. I like to sew practical items that I or someone else will use on a regular basis. I don’t do elaborate costumes (they’re cool though and I want to try my hand at it) or beautiful embroidery. But then it hit me: there is a beauty that flows from form and function. Using needle and thread, I find ways to turn unused or forgotten fabrics into something purposeful and beautiful. I’m fairly new to sewing building my kit. While looking through Twig&Tale’s patterns, I came across their Making E-book. There were two perfect projects for me. A drawstring project bag and a needle book. They’ve since become a daily carry for me. Whenever I have a bit of downtime I’ll take something out and working on it.
Use What You Got – Or, the Joy of Up-cycling
Up-cycling plays an important role in my sewing process. I love taking fabric that might otherwise be discarded and consider its potential for new projects. It also jives with with my interests in sustainability, thrift, and up-cycling. I had bought a maroon linen tunic at the resale shop along with some wool suiting some time ago. And in my pile they waited.
I decided to use the linen for the bag. It can serve as a project bag and would be perfect for my eventual ren-fest costume. The needle book I envisioned as a classic looking pocketbook. I lined the book with scrap from my pile and added in a flap to baste in buttons.
The Joy of Hand Stitching
After a rough year and the election, I needed to step back and slow down. Instead of rushing through the project and finishing it in a day with my sewing machine, I decided to hand sew them. I found it very relaxing and meditative. Each stitch, wobbly or not, was an act of intention. It took a couple of days as it was sewn in stolen moments or a few minutes of relaxation at the end of the day, but it was not stressful at all. It brought joy and contentment. These small acts of creativity remind me that imagination is not just about grand ideas—it’s about discovering the potential in what’s right in front of us.
Disclaimer: As a member of Twig and Tale Storytellers, I receive free patterns in exchange for sharing my creative projects. I don’t receive any commission on links.
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