Gloves add an elegant touch to your attire. They come in satin, crushed velvet, sheer organdy, and lace and can easily be embellished with trims.
Generally, wear short gloves with a long sleeved gown; wear long gloves with a short sleeved or sleeveless gown. Because gloves stretch and are handled a lot, attach trims by sewing rather than gluing.
Accent gloves with trims that reflect the style of the gown; perhaps repeat an embellishment used in the headpiece. For instance, hand-stitch a smaller version of the satin bow to back of wrist, echoing a bow used in a barrette or pillbox hat. Look for ribbon trims that match the gloves. Sew the trim loosely along the cuffs, allowing room for the gloves to stretch when worn. Continue down the outside seam to just below the finger .Customize plain gloves with a silk ribbon embroidery and bead design. Or stitch purchased ribbon roses along the cuffs of simple floral lace gloves, and stitch pearl beads to the center of the flower motif. Sew through each bead twice for added security.
Drawstring Bag
A drawstring fabric bag for the bride or bridesmaids is a perfect catchall for the occasion.
Make the bag from medium weight fabric, such as taffeta, brocade, velvet, velveteen, moiré taffeta, or satin embellish the bag with ribbon roses or whatever suits your fancy.
The bag top and casing edges can be serge finished for a decorative effect. Or the bag can be sewn completely with a conventional sewing machine.
Tip
After the wedding, use your drawstring bag to store small remembrances of the day, such as table favors, garter, invitation, and flower petals.
Making a Drawstring Bag
You Will Need
- 3/8yd. outer fabric
- 3/8yd. lining fabric
- 1 1/2yd. narrow decorative cording, or filled satin cording for drawstring
- Plastic canvas
- Decorative rayon thread for serged edges
- Cut one 11in. x 12in. rectangle from outer fabric; mark a line on right side of fabric 2in. from upper long edge. Cut two 1in. x 11in. casing strips from lining or outer fabric, if the edges will be serged; cut the strips 2in. x 11in. if the edges will be folded under. Cut one 12 1/2in. x 21in. rectangle from lining. Cut 4 1/4in. circles from outer fabric and lining. Cut 3 1/4in. circle from plastic canvas.
- Serge long edges of casing strips, using overlock or rolled hem stitch, use decorative rayon thread in loopers and regular thread in the needle. Stitch 1/4in. double-fold hems at short ends. Or, if using conventional machine, stitch double-fold hem on short edges, and press long edges under 1/2 in.
- Pin casing strips to outer fabric, with top edge of strip along marked line and outer hemmed ends 1/2in. from sides; inner hemmed ends meet at center. Stitch close to long edges of casing strips, leaving ends open.
- Fold rectangle, right sides together, matching short ends, stitch 1/2in. seam, taking care not to catch casings in seam. Press open.
- Stitch two rows of gathering stitches 3/8in. and 1/2in. from lower edge; pin-mark lower edge and circle from outer fabric into fourths. Pin circle to lower edge, right sides together, matching pin marks; pull gathering threads to distribute fullness evenly. Stitch 1/2in. seam; stitch again close to previous stitches.
- Stitch 1/2in. from edge of lining circle; press seam allowance under along stitching line. Place plastic canvas circle on bottom of bag, inside seam allowance. Pin lining circle, wrong side down, over plastic canvas, slipstitch in place.
- Fold lining fabric in half crosswise, right sides together; stitch 1/2 in. seam on side and bottom. If top edge of fabric and lining will be encased instead of serge-stitched, leave a 6in. opening on bottom for turning.
- For a serged top, pin top edge of lining to top edge of purse, wrong sides together. Serge edge with overlock stitch. Or, for seam-encased edge, pin top edge of lining to top edge of purse, right sides together .Stitch 1/2in. seam. Turn purse right side out through opening of lining; stitch opening closed, and tuck lining into purse. Press upper edge of purse, and edge stitch.
- Cut cording into two 26in. lengths, for drawstrings. Using bodkin or safety pin, feed one cord through casings, all around bag, beginning and ending at one side. Repeat for remaining cord, beginning and ending at opposite side. Knot ends of each cord; knot cord ends together for carrying. Draw cords to close bag.
- Make three ribbon roses. Hand stitch to center front, under casing. Attach other embellishments as desired.
Variations
Silk Ribbon Embroidery
Before constructing bag, embellish outer fabric with silk ribbon embroidery and beads .Wrap cord ends with thread to prevent fraying.
Lace Over Satin
Use colored lining to accent lace pattern. Add an heirloom button. Seal cord ends with liquid frat preventer, stitch together and hide inside casing.
Monogrammed Velvet
Secure purchased monogram to bag before sewing. Stitch beaded design around monogram for added detail. Adorn with a fabric bow.
Ceremony Accents
Like theatre props, items carried or used to decorate the ceremony play an important supporting role. While conveying the wedding theme, they add charm, style, and richness.
