Embellishing

When I said I was planning to embellish this

I was planning to use these

Goldie thought she would make a much better embellishment.

However, she didn't want to be sewn down. So we are going with my original plan. I'm starting to play with patterns. Trying things out. Seeing what I like and don't like. Just playing.

The magic of stitching and a book review

I bought this fat quarter a couple weeks ago with the idea that it would be a nice base for some hand stitching. So I basted it to some batting and auditioned some of my variegated Sulky threads. I started stitching with the top one, the red, but quickly realized this was not what I had envisioned. On to plan B.

This DMC green floss was laying out because I had used it on a different project. I moved it out of the way and placed it on top of this project because there was no where else to put it at that moment. When I went to put it away, I decided it might be what I need for this project so I started stitching with it. I was happy with this so I kept going with a different color. (You can click on the images to enlarge them)

I really like the blanket stitch and didn't think I would. It creates a nice raised area, almost as if there is cording underneath. I have not decided what I will do in the area between the different colors. I am using the book Stitch Magic by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn, which I purchased recently as inspiration for this project.

From the back of the book:

"... a unique vision of how stitching can be used to interpret designs"

"Over 90 sumptuous photographs of stitching with detailed explanations of the techniques"

"Includes a comprehensive stitch glossary and stitch diagrams showing the variety of design applications for different stitches"

Warning: the stitch diagrams are photographs of hand drawn, hand written diagrams. The diagrams are clear but the hand writing is small in places and not as easy to read as it could be. Do not  purchase this book expecting it to act as a resource on how to do the hand stitches. However, there are other resources for this information and many are available free online.

"Practical advice is given on the choice and planning of stitches and the creation of unusual backgrounds"

In summary, this book is mostly about using basic stitches in non-traditional ways. It is an excellent resource for ideas and inspiration. If you enjoy hand work and free-form stitching by hand, I highly recommend it.

It is an older book, first published in 1998. Shop around if you are interested in purchasing it. I got a used copy for $19 and change from Powell's Books online, including shipping. I got a really good deal! On Amazon I have seen used copies listed for between $25 and $999.98! In my opinion the book is definitely worth $25 but no way would I pay $1000 for it!

Stitched Tree is Finished

I finished up this little stitched tree recently. I don't really like it. However, I learned a few things along the way. I tried a new "binding" technique. I drew a line around the edge of the piece then laid black yarn on the line and zig-zagged over the yarn with black thread. After the first time around, I trimmed the excess batting and backing away close to the edge of the zig-zag stitching. There are two layers of yarn on this and I zig-zagged three times around. I like this finishing method and will use more in the future.

One of the problems with doing this finishing technique is that the sewing machine tends to eat the quilt at the corners. I've tried this technique in the past only to give up and use traditional binding because a corner got so mangled that I needed to just cover it up. If you look closely at the photo above you will see little threads dangling from each corner. I removed them after taking the photo but I wanted you to see them because I used these to prevent my machine from eating the corners.

Here's how it works: (1) Cut four approximately 6" pieces of thread. Any color/kind of thread will do just make sure it is strong. I used black because I was going to be sewing with black and I figured that if I sewed over it, it wouldn't show if I used black. (2) Thread a needle with one of your 6" pieces and stitch it into the corner about 1/4" to 3/8" from the edges. I just went in from the front and out the back. Do not tie a knot because you will be removing this thread later. You just want equal amounts of this thread hanging out from the front and back. (3) Do the same on the remaining three corners. (4) Now you can zig-zag around the edge of your piece. I started in the middle of one side and sewed all the way to the corner. Then turn the piece and continue sewing up the next side but pull on the corner thread to help the machine get started at the corner without eating the corner. Just pull back on the thread. Continue sewing around the edges, pulling on the corner threads as necessary to keep the corner from being eaten. It worked great for me!

So I'm glad that I didn't really like this piece when I finished it. If I had I probably would not have been brave enough to try a new finishing technique on it for fear I would ruin it.

Playing with Lines and Stitches 2

I finished up my second "playing with lines and stitches" piece recently. I liked the pinkish red binding better than the charcoal, so I changed the binding on the first piece.

I did not have enough of this pinkish red fabric to bind both pieces, but my LQS had some pomegranate Kona solid that is pretty close. Click here to see it with the charcoal binding.

On a personal note, today is a special day. Parker came home from school and said, "Mom, do you notice anything different about me?"

He lost a tooth at school today. This is only the third tooth he has lost and he'll be 8 in a few weeks. Many of his friends have already lost all of their baby teeth. He feels a bit self-conscience that he hasn't lost many teeth yet. So this is a big deal at our house. I'm trying to decide if we should go out to eat tonight to celebrate or if I should just fix what I have planned for dinner. I've already got the tooth fairy pillowcase on his bed.

Playing with Lines and Stitches 1

I was so busy sewing, cleaning and out to lunch with friends yesterday that I didn't have time to take photos to post or even get online and read the blogs I follow. This is one of the things I was working on yesterday. I added the beads and the binding. I'm not sure I like the charcoal binding though. It's not bad, but I may have something that would be better. I am also working on another piece using the same teal wool, pink/red variegated thread and beads. I think I will bind it with the other fabric and then decide if I need to remove this binding and replace it with the other.

When we bought this house several years ago there were lots of tulips planted in both the front and back. I removed them from the back because they were in odd places and I wanted the back yard to be a play space for our son. I didn't want him to have to be careful of the flowers - that's no fun. I removed them from the front yard because the deer love tulips. I was trying to remove all plants that they like to discourage them from stopping by our yard. However, every year new tulips come up in random places. Usually the deer get them before the even bloom, but this year I managed to rescue a few. I guess I have a few more to dig up later.

Textures 1

I finished my textures experiment yesterday. It's okay, but I don't really like it. I think this is because I didn't have a clear picture of what I wanted before I started. I just started. The first two sections I did are more free-form while the last two are more organized sashiko designs. It has served it's purpose though. I learned that I prefer to do the more free-form stitches that don't require marking. BUT I like the finished look of the more organized, geometric sashiko designs. (I shouldn't be surprised. It's the mathematician in me that likes the geometry) I titled this "Textures 1" thinking I may like to experiment with this idea further. I have several other projects that require my attention now though so it will be a while before I get back to this.