Fern Tote

The patterns and colours of ferns are a constant source of delight for me. This is Fishbone Water Fern or Blechnum nudum, found in all the eastern states of Australia. My design was developed from a photograph I took at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.

The bag is unique - I will not make another the same. The design is applied using Lumiere pearlescent paint, then ironed to set it. The free-motion machine quilting is first used to outline the painted design, then the background is separated into 4 quadrants with different fern-like designs in each quadrant - fern croziers (unfolding fronds), climbing ferns, fern leaves and rock felt ferns (in clockwise order from bottom left). The back is a batik of flowers, quilted with a climbing ferns pattern. The lining is a legitimately-sourced Aboriginal design involving kangaroos, and the quilting can be seen on it.
All the fabric is cotton and all the stitching and wadding is cotton. Gentle cold water washing is recommended, then drying in the shade. It can be ironed on a cotton setting if necessary.
The bag measures about 32 cm long x 36 cm wide. The handles are both about 47 cm x 4 cm.