All Access
| Project Type | Accessories |
|---|---|
| Categories | Stitching/Sewing |
| Author | Deanna Hall West, Rebecca Tolley |
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LoginThis whimsical drawstring purse features an embroidered nod to one of history’s most delightfully unexpected fashion accessories—Alice Roosevelt’s pet snake, Emily Spinach, whom she famously carried in her handbag. Designer Deanna Hall West stitched this serpent entirely in shades of blue, including the iconic Alice Blue named in honor of the spirited First Daughter herself. It’s a sweet blend of mischief, history, and handcrafted style.
Materials
DMC 6-strand Embroidery Floss (100% cotton), 8.7 yd (8 m)/skein: 1 skein each of
Needle: embroidery #8
Embroidery hoop or snap frame, 5"–6" (12.7 to 15.2 cm) diameter
Sewing thread: off-white, 1 spool
Scissors: fabric and embroidery
Rat-tail cording: light blue, 1½ yd (1.4 m)
Tracing pencil or pen, water-soluble
Sewing supplies: sewing machine, pins, ruler, iron, terry-cloth towel, medium-sized safety pin, press cloth
Design Size: 2½" × 3¼" (6.4 × 8.3 cm)
Purse Size: 7½" × 11" (19.1 × 27.9 cm)
About: Deanna Hall West has been active in the needlework publishing business for more than 40 years as an editor, designer, author, researcher, teacher, and stitcher. She is recognized for her knowledge and writings about antique needlework accessories, samplers, and individual embroidery stitches.
About: Rebecca Tolley is an academic librarian, professor, and interdisciplinary textile artist based in northeast Tennessee. She brings a cross-disciplinary perspective to both her research and creative practice. Her scholarship and artwork center textiles as sites of memory, power, and cultural resilience, particularly within Appalachian craft traditions and women’s fiber histories.
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