These Chrysanthemums are bright and cheerful on a darker green background. Chrysanthemums (or ‘Mums) flower around May and have come to be associated with Mothers’ Day in Australia. These Chrysanthemums are painted from a photograph of a ‘Mum called Snow Dome.

Description: This bag is unique. The bag front features chrysanthemum flowers in fabric paints, embroidered with quilting, on a dark green patterned background. The back is the same green fabric. The the lining is green foliage on green fabric – both commercial cotton fabrics. There is an internal pocket and a loop / catch for keys.

Technique: Trace then draw the plants from a photograph, then copy to the green fabric. Paint using acrylic fabric paint, leaving outlines between areas. The yellow paints are sparkly. Iron once dry, to set the paint. Create a quilt sandwich (top and wadding/padding). Free-motion quilt around the flowers, and the centres, in dark green thread. Quilt the blank space using dark green thread in free-motion to represent more flowers in the background. Quilt the back in dark green thread, to symbolise a giant chrysanthemum flower. Trim and make into a bag, adding the pocket on the lining and the key attachment, then the handles.

Bag Details: The bag is all cotton, including the wadding and is 33.5 cm high x 41 cm wide at the base and 37 cm wide at the opening. The pocket is 16 cm high x 12 cm wide. The handles are padded and 74 cm long x 5 cm wide. Cold wash is recommended, and dry in the shade.

The price you pay, minus packing and shipping, will be donated to WIRES, the Australian Wildlife Rescue Association.