Even since making the bonbon baskets, I have been wanting to make other items from straw. Luckily, lady’s magazines and fancy work manuals are speckled with projects, including workbags.
There are three different style workbags I want to make in straw.
The first style is this basket bag style. The base is a basket made of straw plait sewn to shape. The top is a silk bag that draws closed. The construction concept is seen in A Girl’s Own Book, by Lydia Child as well as other publications. The basket base is made with a variety of materials in each description.
For my first two of this style, I created a tapered square straw basket base. The bag tops are silk taffeta with drawstring closures. Both the basket and bag are lined with silk. I may have over engineered the process considering it was past 10pm when I finished the bag portions last night.
Both of these bags are available in my shop. I think I will be able to do one more. I have a smaller round version in mind as well. If there is interest, I will make a couple straw basket bases as well.
The next style is one I can’t help seeing as a taco. The straw base is a circle or oval in a taco shape with the silk bag set inside. I have a mini taco waiting as I write. I have two different ways of making this in mind.
The third style came to me as I was looking for something else yesterday. I already misplaced the image. It was a “duh” moment as I was reading a description of plaited grass/straw fibers being sewing into circles and used for the centers of what was essentially a Balloon Bag. Yes, the Balloon Bag for the sew along years ago. So, of course, I need to make one. I am not sure how well guaging silk onto straw will go. I may add a layer for strength.
Look forward to these styles in the next few days.
Many thanks to Joyce, ot the Time-Traveler’s Rabbit Hole, and Marna for their assistance in finding the examples in the thousands of pages of original publications.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
Ah Ha! Now I know what I can do with those round placemats!
Mine won’t be quite that big.