It feels a bit like gilding the lily to follow up the most amazing bonkers centrepiece in the world with the most fabulous pocket in the world, but it really is…
My friends made it for me as a gift, and it’s so amazing and precious that I’m afraid to touch it, much less wear it!
Jenni who modelled the Amalia Jacket and Aidah Gown is an artist and graphic designer, (holy heck have you seen her butterfly kaleidoscope!) so she designed the embroidery pattern.
It’s based on things I love: a takahē hiding behind clumps of rengarenga lilies, with freesias in the background, and above them fantail/pīwakawawaka flitting amongst kōwhai and mānuka. It’s a microcosm of things I find wonderful embroidered on a pocket.
The embroidery was done by Nina, who modelled the Selina Blouse and Kilbirnie Skirt. She embroidered her own beautiful pocket back in 2020, and I’ve envied it ever since.
Look at that embroidery! By hand!
The back of the pocket is as exciting as the front:
That perfect patchwork was done by Averil who also modelled the Selina Blouse and Kilbirnie Skirt. Each fabric on the back is from a garment that we made together. You may recognise some Amalia Jackets, Angelica Gowns, Rilla Corsets and other items that have appeared in our event photos in the mix…
But that’s not all! Even the binding is special.
Kezia, who modelled the Angelica Gown (look, I don’t like making pattern samples that aren’t going to be used, and if I make them for costumers I know they will get worn repeatedly!) custom dyed it with gorse flowers, and then sewed it on with the most beautiful teeny-tiny stitches. I’m going to show the binding to my students as an example of what to aim for…
I’m in love. I’m in awe. It’s so special, and I’m so touched and honoured and gobsmacked and overcome, and well, lots of things…
Now I just have to be brave enough to actually use it!
Wow!!! Many wows!! Such a thing, and such wonderful friends you have. Whatever curve-ball life throws at you, and it sure has, this is to be remembered. People with talent love you, and give you serious amounts of their time. And that is a wondrous thing, that pocket.
Oh, wow! The stitching is so gorgeous. What a wonderful gift.
stunning work, so beautiful and such a treasure!
That is so beautiful. Do indeed use it so the beauty gets spread as far as possible!
This is amazing! It’s so beautifully done that sewing and embroidery machines should wish they were such talented humans.
Oh, look at the glories of New Zealand, so beautifully stitched and the whole handsomely designed. Some people have touchstones. You have a touchpocket…and dear friends.
Very best Natalie across the very large pond
Just beautiful. I can only aspire to embroidery like that.