Like a Monster

I saw a cute monster themed tote while we were in Miami. That gave me the idea to make up one of my own.

This is the first stitch out of a design I made using a couple images from Games-icon.net. The colors are questionable because I was trying to figure out a thing or two about my embroidery machine. I used a woven cotton for this test because I wanted to check the stitch-out and the size. Knowing a design measures x number of inches by y number of inches doesn't help when you're trying to build a three dimensional object. 

After that particular adventure, and some time with the embroidery machine manual, I stitched out this much more suitable monster face. 

Since the design was destined for faux fur, I needed a top cover to hold down all that fur. I used a water soluble wash-away similar to this one on Amazon. It easily tears away from the finished embroidery. I've used it on towels in the past and it washes away nicely. I don't anticipate washing this one.

Here is the stitching before I pulled the basting stitches and the unneeded film. Using the film also makes it easier to cut those jump stitches without endangering the fur.

The face is somewhat Predator-like. That wasn't my goal, but it pleases me anyway.

I used my standard cross-body bag pattern for this bag. It includes a zippered pocket on the back. Only the front is made with fur, the back of the bag is cotton canvas. The main part of the bag also closes with a zipper and has three pockets on the inside.

I'm so glad I switched to making the strap adjustable. 

A face only a mother, or a mad scientist, can love. As an experiment, this one turned out pretty okay.

Did I mention it's Halloween this month?

Tools (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q