Little Project, Long Time
In 2008, I took a class on goldwork embroidery at Pennsic. We all got a little piece of velveteen with a pattern stamped on it and various threads and bits of bullion. It was very interesting putting the bullion on -- it's effectively a coil of metal that you cut to length for each piece and sew down to the fabric like a long bead. However, this takes a lot of focus and a table to work on and most of my handsewing is done while socializing or watching TV, so I didn't work on it much.
I went to a similar class this year at Pennsic, with the same instructor. She was teaching some different goldwork techniques, but was okay with me listening in and working. While folks worked on the kits they got for that class, I finished the embroidery on my two-year old project.
But it wasn't done yet, nope! The initial idea was a needle book, but I'd rather it be something very visible. So add in some blue linen as lining, a newly learned fingerloop braid, and the coolest tassels I've ever made and I had a little bag just big enough for a credit card, ID, and maybe a couple of bills. Unfortunately, it was a bit too little, with the top edge just clearing cards inside. That's why I added the button and loop closure.
