This collaboration grew out of an article by textile artist Janine Pope in Issue 8 of The Stitcher’s Journal about the tradition of the Danish Jule Post (Christmas Post) Bag, a bag which is hung up each year to carry the Christmas cards. In the kit you can read all about Janine’s inspiration for her charming design, and you will have the pattern to make the same design in two ways: one, with applique and machine embroidery, and the other with hand embroidery.  The kit contains a full-colour A3 fold-out sheet with comprehensive instructions for making the bag with applique and machine embroidery.  In a separate folder,  there is a letter from Janine and guidance from Caroline on how to embroider the design by hand, together with a piece of antique linen printed with the design for the hand-embroidered bag. There is also a card with some cream and white threads so you can do as Caroline has done and embroider the design by hand, using only shades of white and off-white. The embroidery can be as simple as outline stitch, or you can treat it like a stitch sampler and try different stitches. It is a very relaxing kit to stitch, and would make the most charming present for anyone with Scandinavian connections.

If you plan to make the applique version, you may use the printed panel by turning the side with the design to the inside, but you will need to buy the back, lining and small pieces for the applique as shown. Please note, the only materials in the kit are the printed panel for the front of the bag and a thread card.  At www.cowslipworkshops.co.uk   you can buy a pack of Janine’s favourite fabrics which would be perfect for the back and lining, applique fabrics and any of the other patterns and projects available direct from  Janine at https://www.instagram.com/pope.janine/?hl=en .

The finished bag is 28cm x 24 cm.

Even if you are not Danish, there is something incredibly pleasing about the finished bag, and I  hung mine in the hallway filled with Eucalyptus last year.

The price includes postage to USA/Australia/Canada. EU and UK customers, please see separate product lines.