Making a Gift for a New Grandma

Making a Gift for a New Grandma

As you may be aware my daughter in law Mari  is due to have a baby girl any day.  While we wait for the “phone call,” I decided to make her mother a small cosmetic case/clutch.  This is her first grandchild and she has traveled from Japan to be with her daughter and my son for the big event.

I made a template allowing for a 30% shrinkage rate.  I had planned to use some prefelt and merino, but I realized I was almost out of black merino.  So, I substituted some black Corriedale for a middle layer.  The bottom half of the resist was 9″ x 11″ (23 cm x 28 cm).

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The inside layer was a turquoise merino.

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The second layer was the Corriedale batt and the last layer was a black prefelt.  Then I laid out the embellishments.  As usual, I was so engrossed in the process I forgot to take pictures.  The embellishments were 100% Peruvian thick and thin hand dyed wool yarn, a turquoise and metallic silver mohair yarn, silk hankies and green and turquoise throwsters waste.  The template for the flap was not used as a resist, but as a pattern for the shape and size of the flap.

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Once I was finished felting and fulling, I shaped the bottom and sides using an ice cream scoop. The shrinkage was less than I expected.  But it was well fulled so I was satisfied. The finished size was 8″ x 7″ high (20 cm x 18 cm)

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I used the yarn to put on her initials — ST on the flap and embellished it with a silver button and will either use a velcro or magnetic closure.

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I was pleased with the outcome.  It is sturdy, yet not heavy or bulky.

32 thoughts on “Making a Gift for a New Grandma

  1. What a beautiful cosmetic bag! Love the colours and the shape is perfect. I’m sure she will cherish it.

    1. Thanks Nada! My favorite colors. I sure hope she likes them.

  2. “shaped with ice cream scoop”……..thank you for sharing that tid bit……so helpful! The bag is absolutely lovely, as is your lovely gesture.

  3. Having seen the actual bag, I can say that it’s even more beautiful than the photos show. I recommend the bag be used as an evening clutch!

  4. It’s a pretty bag and a very thoughtful gift that will be appreciated so much. I like the idea of the initials on the flap.

    1. Thanks Ann! I’m not much of a pattern person so I guess I prefer the abstract. 🙂

  5. That is a beautiful bag! The button goes well with the metallic bits of the embellishments.

  6. What a thoughtful present, Marilyn. I hope ST sees the love this handmade gift represents. And, needless to say, it looks beautiful – the blues really shine through with the black! 🙂

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