Friday, January 27, 2017

Beloved and "How to Stitch"...

I've been stitching this for Valentines Day...



...but more about that after I answer some questions.




Every day I receive emails, or messages on social media, asking for advice about how to stitch, what pen to trace with, how to use a stabiliser...and many other similar questions. 

Most of the answers can be found in two posts I made specific to these queries and I have buttons and links to these in my blog sidebar, but it occurred to me the other day that many of you don't read blogs on a computer, but on a smart phone or blog reader instead. This means you won't see the sidebar so you miss all the great links I share.

Today I'll pop some links in this one blog post so those of you who never see them have an opportunity to discover things you may not have known existed.

Firstly, how to improve (or do) backstitch and lazy daisy stitch - the two stitches I use a lot in my designs.




Wondered what I like to use when I create and stitch a design?



Would you like to download and sew some of my free patterns?



Enjoy making a project by following a tutorial?




I hope these posts and links answer many of your questions as well as giving you some fun things to make!






Now, back to what I've been stitching today!
It's a new design by my friend Allie Hartom of Allie Oops Designs and as soon as I saw it on her blog I was scanning my fabrics for the 'perfect' one because I always choose fabric before threads.

This is probably one of the most important helps I can give you in preparing a design to stitch.
When you choose the fabric first you now have the exact thread colour chart you need right in your hand!



I simply adore the word "beloved".
Allie has featured her stitchery on the cover of a rice bag (the kind you heat in the microwave and use to soothe aching body parts) but I've decided to feature her design on a cushion to celebrate Valentines Day 2017.

Do you like the fabric I chose for the borders and cushion backing? 
It's a Bonnie & Camille print but the name of the actual range is missing from the selvedge as I only bought 1/2 metre so the full information was chopped off. 
If you know, leave a comment to tell us all would you please?

My stitchery background is cream hanky linen (you can read about hanky linen in my stitching essentials blog post) and I've gathered some co-ordinating threads from my DMC and Anchor supplies...





Because I can't resist a touch of tiny applique you'll see the heart shaped V in Allie's original design has become an applique heart on my block.




I should have the Beloved pillow completed over the weekend so I'll show it here on the blog next week.



Want to stitch this pattern too?
(oh, and it comes with a tutorial to make the heat pack!)





Mr E has been unwell the past 24 hours so we never got to have our lamb dinner on Australia Day.
Hopefully after another night's rest he'll be feeling fit and refreshed for the weekend and we'll have a belated celebration dinner then.
It's awful when loved ones are under the weather and you can't 'make it better'.

May your weekend be extra lovely,
hugs



7 comments:

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Thank you for a lovely informative post Jenny! I think that fabric maybe Daysail by B & C like you say!

Nanna Chel said...

Jenny, I hope your hubby feels better soon. I saved a lot of your tips a while back as they were so very helpful. All I need now is a new set of eyes and I will be off and running....I mean embroidering :-)

Jacqueline said...

You are sew thoughtful and good to others. Thank you.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your husband.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that Mr. E. is not up to par! Must be bad to miss that lamb dinner! I hope he's feeling better already and is great for the weekend. Is he happier with the new job? At least, he probably doesn't have as much opposition. Thanks so much for all your ideas. I, too, liked Allie's pattern and it's on my list. Your Bonnie & Camille fabric is beautiful, but I don't know which line it is. I don't shop by line, except sometimes for civil war repros, so I never know unless it's on the selvedge! It's going to be beautiful, though!

Allie-oops Designs said...

Your tutorials have taught me SO much dear Jenny!!! And I credit your designs with getting me back into hand embroidery, which I've always loved so much. I LOVE the fabrics you've chosen for Beloved....and the touch of applique is too sweet!!!!

Baa. xxx said...

Beautiful! Hope Mr E is feeling much better now.

Createology said...

Healing energy for Mr. E and hope you stay well dear. You are always so helpful and generous with your tips and techniques and I very much appreciate being able to learn from you. Beloved is a wonderful word for Valentine's. JOYful January Stitching...