In these posts I want to share some of my favorite pieces, which will include wall hangings, small works, pillows, purses, and just because pieces. This month they are going to be from my new book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New, by C&T Publishing. This is the last day of National Button week March 13-19, 2023, here are few of my favorite buttons, and buttons, and lots and lots of buttons.

Bees Buzz on a Saturday Afternoon

I created this four block wall hanging, combining a grouping of solid and printed fabrics with vintage printed panels, using a different piecing technique for each block. The blocks are layered with a variety of both new and old ribbons and trims which include vintage rickrack trims and a jacquard ribbon; grosgrain, satin, and picot edge satin ribbons; burlap ribbon and burlap loop trim. Once the base was stitched, I hand-quilted it with perle cotton #12.

I incorporated an assortment of buttons, charms, and other ephemera to tell the story. I found loads of buttons in all sizes and materials including vintage celluloid, plastics, ceramic, and wood. I also used a collection of bird and bee charms, and Scottie dog scatter pins.

Block 1: This block started with the 9-patch square that I made with left-over pieces from another project. I added in strips of solid and printed cotton fabrics. I used grosgrain ribbon and burlap trim, along with vintage rickrack trim in several sizes for the seam treatments. I ironed a vintage cotton tape measure to muslin backed with HeatnBond, to use for the birds nest boxes. The wooden garden fence was purchased at JoAnne Fabrics. Notice Buzz is spelled with one Z and a bee button, because in Scrabble there is only one Z.

Block 2: This block started with the floral screen print, which I purchased from Woof and Warp Fabrics (my first job), back in the late 1970’s. I strip- and patch-pieced the sections around the block. I used the cinnamon colored jacquard ribbon and woven ribbons to hide the raw edges while piecing the block. I also used grosgrain, and burlap ribbons along with vintage rickrack trim for the seam treatments. Other embellishments include vintage fly buttons in the center panel, and Scottie dog “scatter pins” along the bottom edge. The little cutie next to my signature “C” was made for me by my cousin Richard, when he was in high school in the 1960’s.

Block 3: In the center of this block I used a printed fabric advertising “Flower Baskets” and “Bee Keeping Supplies” that I found at a rummage sale back in the 1980’s. I patch-pieced the center panel with strips of fabric, and used the ribbons and trims as seam treatments. To balance with Block 2, I repeated the grouping of large crochet flowers and rosettes made from grosgrain ribbon. I placed the flowers on stems of looped trim, with leaves made from ultra suede.

Block 4: This block is strip-pieced, with a few of the strips pieced to create a larger strip, using up the remaining bits and pieces of fabric that I had. The blue strip on the bottom became a fence for the three “Cat Amigos” to sit on, to ponder those Bees Buzzing on a Saturday Afternoon.

Embroidery Stitches Used Throughout the Blocks

• Blanket Stitch Up and Down
• Couched Stitch
• Straight Stitch
• Lazy Daisy Stitch
• Fly Stitch
• Cross Stitch
• Bell Flower Stitch
• Spiderweb Corner Stitch
• Button Spider

Little Stitched Extras

• Rosette
• Loop Leaf
• Birds Nest

Happy Stitching to you all! ~Christen