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When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous
Roumanian stitch is a fantastic embroidery technique for adding a bit of texture and fullness to your projects. In this project we’ll start off by going through the Roumanian stitch, then use your new stitch technique to make a DIY coin purse.
If you fancy learning more, you might also like our how to make a coin purse tutorial
You will need
- Linen fabric: 25x25cm (10x10in)
- Backing fabric: 25x25cm (10x10in)
- Stranded cotton: green shades of your choice
- Rectangular purse frame: 10cm (4in)
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit
Notes
Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated.
You will need to download and print the Roumanian stitch DIY coin purse pattern template.
Roumanian Stitch
You will need
- Linen fabric
- Backing fabric
- DMC stranded cotton
- Matching thread
- Rectangular purse frame
- Basic sewing kit
Method
1
Mark a line where you would like the center of the leaf to be. Come up from the back on the left side, approx 1cm (3/8in) away from the marked line.
2
Take the needle down on the right side of the line approx 1cm (3/8in) away from the marked line, then back up just to the right of the center line. Work with the thread under your needle as it comes back up.
3
Take the needle down just to the left of the center line, going over the first stitch. Then come back up on the left side, approx 1cm (3/8in) away from the marked line, ready to start on the next stitch.
4
Repeat this process, spacing the stitches as near or far from each other as you’d like, and with the horizontal stitches straight or forming an angle. You can also make the center ‘tacking’ stitch wider for a different look.
DIY Coin purse
Embroidering the leaves
Step one
Trace the leaf layout from the template onto the linen fabric.
Step two
Embroider the small leaves with bright green stranded cotton and detached chain stitch.
Step three
For the large tropical leaves use deep green stranded cotton and chain stitch.
Step four
Use medium green and roumanian stitch for the remaining leaves. Vary the leaf sizes by stitching closer or further away from the line.
Making the purse
Step one
Using the template, cut out one piece around the embroidery for the coin purse front, one plain linen piece for the coin purse back and two pieces from the lining fabric for the lining.
Step two
Measure and mark each side 5cm (2in) down from the top straight edge. With right sides (RS) together, sew around the bottom of the linen pieces and the lining pieces, starting and ending at the markings.
Step three
Turn the lining RS out.
Step four
Insert the lining into the linen piece and pin the top edges together with RS facing.
Step five
Snip into the seam allowance of the lining to make it easier to sew the edges close to the first seams.
Step six
Sew across the top of the front pieces and then repeat for the back pieces, leaving a 5cm (2in) turning gap.
Step seven
Turn the coin purse RS out and slip stitch the turning gap closed.
Finishing off
Step one
Push the top edges of the coin purse into the snap frame. Tack the purse to the frame with a large whip stitch.
Step two
Stitch through the purse and the frame with running stitch, then go back and fill in the gaps as shown in the photo.
Step three
Repeat on the other side of the frame, then remove the tacking stitches.
