Silver Fern and Whero Bag

Designed by Mary Metcalf

Bag size: 24cm x 21cm (9½” x 8”)

This bag has a square construction which means that the base is a square measuring 8½”. By using needlepunch batting the bag sides will stay upright so that the bag is easy to fill with your latest quilt project, baby paraphanelia, books etc.

The pattern includes two on-point blocks. The first is my original silver fern block which is foundation paper pieced and the other is a nine-patch triangular block that is representational of maori weaving patterns or the adornment on the top of the pui-pui, the swishing skirt using by the maori women as they perform their cultural dances.

Whero is the maori word for red and I have teamed the block with kapa haka fabric.

The bag is full lined and easy to make. The clear instructions also include photographs of the construction of the bag.

If you wish to purchase a kit for the bag, click here to take you to the page. The kit for either the Silver Fern or Whero bag is $37.20 and this includes the pattern and all the fabric for the bag and lining. All you need to add is the needlepunch batting.
 

Interesting fact:

The silver fern symbol comes from the leaf of the New Zealand fern - Cyathea Dealbata (Ponga is the Maori name). The leaves are dark green on the upper side and silver underneath. The underside glows brightly in moonlight providing excellent track markers in New Zealand's native forests. It was often used by Maori as bedding for sleeping on due to the thin texture of the 'hairs'.