A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
While looking for a lost file on my laptop today (and I'm still looking...wish I could remember what I named it...arhgggrrr)....I came across some old designs for shadow applique fairies. I did these quite a few years back; and it dawned on me that this one...Rayceen...would be nicely done in embroidery too. So, here she is for you.
Here's the third design finished and uploaded to Pattern Spot. Aren't they just too cute! I love them, and want to do more designs with owls.
Here's a little freebee which I think would make a cute little applique or embroidery design for a mugrug...or quilt block. Hope you enjoy it! Send me photos when you finish your project, I'd love to see how you are using this.
It is a rainy (still) day and Aidan just left to go back home. School is out in two weeks, and I'm so looking forward to her return for a few days. I managed to get a little stitching done yesterday on Mary's block...so now, you can at least see the dolphin amongst the other fabrics. I decided to go with traditional applique...then outlined the dolphin in stem stitch...and added some swirls on the inside in back stitch. The embroidery work helps to add more contrast and interest since the fabric color has to match the background block...for the monochromatic theme.
Here's the design if you's like to download and keep for your possible future use.
And, here's the same idea in the form of a cat. Just for fun!
I think these would be good worked in beads too. Of course, you know I'd think that!
X is for cross-stitch of course!
Ha!
Y is for YOU!
Hugs!
Z is for nap time! Zzzzzzzz
W is for winter...today is cold and windy!
Thankfully, no snow or ice.
Hope you are not getting bored with these yet...cause, here's another one!
There are two additional symbols in this chart...for different size pearl beads.
This is the easiest one yet to stitch...only Stab Stitch ribbon leaves...Wrapped Stitch ribbon roses. And some free-handed featherstitch (or you could do fly stitches) for accents...done in a thin metallic thread (I used #4 Krenik braid).
As usual, here is the reverse pattern marked for punching out the little red dots...to show the placement of the leaves and flowers.
Here is the layout for stitching.
All of the PCD designs use the instructions and placement guides shown on the first tutorial for these pin cushions. And the How-To construction directions are in part 2...of that first tutorial...so page back to that as well.
I can't seem to stop working on these pin cushions...and my muse is so happy about that!
Here is the second design for you to stitch up.
It has simple Fly-Stitch roses...with French Knot centers. Here, the French Knot and two fly-stitches just below that...are stitched in 7mm silk ribbon...in the same color (purple). End with a third fly stitch in green for the stem....done in 4mm silk ribbon.
Some ribbon Stab Stitch leaves with 7mm silk ribbon are used to fill in some of the space around the flowers.
A second flower is the embroidered Bullion Flower with French Knot centers. Create this with 8-wrap bullions, using 2 strands of floss. Stitch 4 bullions to create a cross type design...then fill in between these with two additional bullion in each of the four open spaces. The finished flower will have 12 bullions...and a little space left in the center for those French knots (1-3).
This design has dragonfly charms (show as [] in the design), and purple montees. The montees could be substituted by other beads if you don't have them on hand.
As with the first design...here is a reverse chart...with red dots added to mark the top/bottom of the leaves and the center of the flowers to help in placement.
For the pin cushion tutorial...print these so that the outside circle is about 4 inches. Of course, you can use larger ribbon and print the pattern larger...for pillow tops, framing, etc.
V is for Valentine's Day!
Hope all of y'all have a wonderfully...and treat yourself to something decadent; like a chocolate truffle!
Hugs,
This design uses silk ribbon for all of the flowers and leaves. The wrapped roses are 7mm black edged rayon ribbon and the French Knot gathered roses are 13mm wine silk ribbon. The stab stitch leaves are 13mm green silk ribbon and the detached chain (lazy daisy) leaves are done in 7mm bias cut varigated green/brown color silk ribbon.
Then 3mm dark blue crystal bicone beads and green crystal montees have been scattered around the flowers to add some sparkle.
As with all flower designs, you could also change these roses out to a different style and/or type of flower head that you might enjoy stitching; add some feather stitching or some springs of French Knot babies breath; change it up and make it truly your own design.
Here is the design and the reverse for marking dots on your foundation fabric (optional). If you right click the image above and save it...it should print the correct size at 100% and fit on a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. The outer "dashed" ring should measure 4 inches across.
Also, I strongly recommend that you always use a hoop when stitching these Pin Cushion Designs to keep your work flat and help keep it neat. A hoop that has the bottom ring wrapped in some scrap strips of cotton or seam binding will help you get a nice secure piece...and greatly reduce slipping of your background fabric while working.
Here's some extra information for you, that might be helpful.
Spider-web or Woven or Wrapped Roses: See instructions in the SRE Basic Stitch Guide for working these.
French Knot Gathered Rose: Anchor your ribbon to the back of your work and needle up in the center of your rose location. Hold the ribbon in your left hand and your chenille needle in your right hand (reverse if you are left handed). Wrap the ribbon around the needle a couple of times (clockwise) to start a French Knot...then, point your needle downwards aligning it with the center of the ribbon as you hold the ribbon straight. Pierce the ribbon about a half inch below the twists...and continue to pierce the ribbon ever half inch or so...in an up and down motion until you have gathered the ribbon on the needle.
Now, pierce the fabric about where you first came out with the ribbon.
Pull the ribbon through...and the french knot will be formed on top of the stacked folds of the ribbon created by your gathering. Pinch this little flower and "spin it" with your finger tips...and a nice little ribbon rose will appear.
Anchor your ribbon to the back of your work.
Anchoring Ribbon. Take a tiny stitch to the back of your foundation fabric...but, not through the top fabric.
Now, before pulling the ribbon completely out...pierce the last one inch of ribbon and pull. This creates a little stitch on the back of your work...without a knot or excess bulk.
Ending Ribbon. Simply lace the ribbon under some prior embroidery stitches, ribbon stitches, or between the foundation and top fabrics and cut.
Here's the fourth and last of the black hearts. This one is a slight variation of a tribal art style tattoo design I saw on the internet (have now idea who designed that version). One lady in the group rides Harley Davidson motorcycles...so thought that she'd enjoy this block for sure.
Here is the re-vamped design if you want to stitch it too.
Here's the third black block in my Heart swap. This design was inspired by a similiar one for a tattoo. That design had overlapping stars, all five pointed. I did not want the stars to overlap, but sit side by side...and made them five-point and six-point stars.
I'm thinking that this design would be nice stitched in red and blue on white background...for a USA themed patriotic quilt block. I'm thinking I might stitch a Quilts of Valor wall hanging of this design...for a wonderful lady I know who works tirelessly on collecting and creating quilts for the QoV project. I don't have enough red/white/blue fabric for an entire quilt...but think I have enough for a wall-hanging size tribute for her.
As always, you are welcome to download and save this photo design for your own use.
Yesterday, I managed to get the embroidery work completed for the second of my set of black blocks with white embroidery hearts. These are the embroidery stitches I used:
Main Heart - 3 rows of Split Stitch
Fan - Stem Stitch w/Straight Stitch "stars"
Top Seam - Chain Stitch, Detached Chain Stitch, French Knot
Bottom Seam - Straight Stitch, Herringbone Stitch, French Knot
The seams were free-handed using my templates to mark the base; and are not exactly like the original drawing design reflects.....which is fine with me.
Here is my design if you'd like to give this heart a try.
I think that this is a good design to modify and make your own. Some ideas: Use one line for the heart shape, change the seams to include some you already like to stitch, replace the "stars" in the fan blades with swirls or flowers...really, this could be very versatile...and tons of fun!
Over at HGTV Message Board, we are swapping squares for a quilt. Each square is made of Kona Black cotton fabric, with an embroidered heart. Each person selected a different color of thread to work in, my color is white.
This heart is stitched with Stem Stitch, and Back Stitch for the circles. The stems and leaves are done in Split Stitch. The flowers are Bullion Stitches with 15 wraps, and 3-wrap French Knots in the center. This is the first heart I designed. If you'd like to try the pattern, just print out this photo and re-trace it with a black marker or pencil.
There are three more designs I've drawn, and when each is stitched I'll share them with you too.
I'm also still working on draperies...and have cut my accent strips for the bedroom set...which is my last set to get done. When finished, this will be a HUGE task marked off of my TO-DO List.
Do you have a TO-DO List? I need to update mine because I seem to be working on several things that are not on my list...which just throws out any "organization" out the door!
The only stitching I worked on at the retreat was Ely's skirt of her christening gown.
The night before we were to leave coming back home...I just stayed up all night so that I could "hopefully" get it completed. At 7 a.m. the next morning...the last French Knot was stitched.
After we drove home (no I didn't do the driving...thank you Sara!)....I unpacked...and went to bed at 2 o'clock in the afternoon...didn't get up until 7:30 this morning!
But...it was worth it! Now, I'm off to start putting this little gown together...and create her slip too!
