I got the idea for this little purse from a robe owned by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The garment is described as a ceremonial kaftan"with ogival pattern" and dates from the mid sixteenth century. It is on display in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul: I have promised myself I will get there one day.
I have found many artifacts from the Ottoman Empire to be inspirational so this isn't the only design that you will see on this blog with an Islamic influence.
 |
| The front of the purse with a small button closure |
I sewed the purse in half-cross stitch on 18-count canvas using DMC pearlised cottons for their rich, saturated colour and the lovely silky sheen. When it was finished I lined it with a turquoise silk and hand stitched it together. My sewing machine wouldn't pierce through the canvas and the fabric stiffener that I had ironed on, even with a heavy duty denim needle! It is fastened with a tiny wee button I found in my button jar.
I like to wear it cross-wise when I am going out in the evening dressed all in black. It is quite a talking point.
