Tag Archive | embroidery

Slow Stitchin’ on Sunday Mornings

Apr2

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.

Measured Party Foul: I chose the star and heart filled blue printed fabric for the sky, and a green and yellow plaid fabric for the grass, then strip pieced a group of left-over fabrics and a gifted bag full of selvage edge strips for the fence. I pieced these sections together, then machine quilted the base. This gave me the perfect background for this collection of three whimsical friends. I cut out the bird bodies from a piece of muslin that had been fused with Heat’nBond. The I fused old tape measures for the bodies of the bird. I added in fun googly eyes, ribbon scarves, rickrack legs, laundry pin wings, shoe beads, and hat buttons. I even added the metal part of the tape measure for each beak. Other embellishments are rickrack and ribbonwork flowers, vintage buttons, glass mushrooms, vintage tin pins, and metal charms.

Embroidery Details: worked in perle cotton #5 and #8

  • Border Row Stitches: Blanket stitch, couched stitch, chain stitch, and whipped chain stitch
  • Decorative and Detail Stitches: Lazy daisy stitch, and French knot stitch
  • Embellishments: Rickrack and rosette flowers (directions can be found in my book); vintage and new plastic, wood, leather, and horn buttons; metal and glass charms and beads

Here is a video that I shot at the C&T Publishing Studios, that focuses on the new book, and some of my favorite pieces.

Happy Stitching to you all! ~Christen

Slow Stitchin’ on Sunday Mornings

Mar26

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.

Don’t forget, there is one more day to leave a comment on Saturday’s post 3-25-2023, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New, Book Promotion, Day 6. Your name will be entered into a drawing to win the free ebook.

Denim and Dresden: The Dresden Plate block made from vintage feed sack and cotton prints was purchased at a thrift store for $1.00. It was originally sewn to a piece of muslin and embroidered with black floss, which really didn’t look that great! I removed the embroidery and background, and stitched the pieced block to a square of denim fabric, adding a fun vintage floral cotton fabric to the center of the block. I crazy-pieced each of the border strip sections with vintage feed sack and cotton print fabrics that I found on ebay, adding in a newer piece of fabric here and there. I hand-stitched yo-yo’s from the left-over vintage fabric scraps.

I embroidered each section of the plate block, then hand-quilted the denim fabric square. Because I had created the border strips separately, it made it much easier to embroider these sections. When the center denim square and each of the strips were embroidered I stitched in the yo-yo’s around the center of the block and added vintage buttons for embellishment on both the block, denim square, and the crazy-pieced strips.

Once all of the embroidery and embellishments were completed, I bound the inner edge of each crazy-pieced strip to finish off the raw edges. I stitched the center denim square onto a piece of batting, and then stitched the crazy-pieced border strips in place covering the raw edges of the denim square. Once this was done, I stitched in the yo-yo’s and buttons into the corners of the denim square. I added a backing made from left-over bits of cotton fabric, and bound the outer raw edges with the same vintage floral cotton fabric used in the center of the block.

Embroidery Details

  • Embroidery Stitches: All of the stitches that I used can be found in Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New
  • Hand Quilting: perle cotton #12
  • Border Rows: perle cotton #8, #12, and vintage tatting cotton
  • Decorative and Detail Stitches: perle cotton #8, #12, tatting cotton, and cotton floss
  • Embellishments: Fabric yo-yos (directions can also be found in my book), and vintage buttons

Here is a video that I shot at the C&T Publishing Studios, that focuses on the new book, and some of my favorite pieces.

Happy Stitching to you all! ~Christen

Slow Stitchin’ on Sunday Mornings and National Button Week, Day 7!!!

Mar19

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

    Slow Stitchin’ on Sunday Mornings

    Mar5

    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.

    Into the Garden: The base of this project started with a group of disparate fabrics, which included a collection of small strips of a few floral upholstery fabrics, two cuffs from a linen jacket, and a few squares of a printed polished cotton. I just started to randomly patch- and strip-piecing the base, fitting the pieces together, starting form small to large. Once the piecing was completed, I hand-quilted the base with perle cotton #12.

    As I was contemplating my next move, I thought with all of the floral prints, this piece seemed to me to want to showcase a garden, with flowers, and birds, bugs, and more. I found some wonderful metal hangers, and some wooden clothespins, who doesn’t remember mom hanging the sheets out to dry in the warm summer sun?

    I then rummaged around the button box, and found an eclectic mixture of old and new sew-through and shank buttons. I used the buttons as the centers for both the ribbonwork and embroidered flowers. A few were sewn as the body of the spiders and button bugs.

    I found a great group of printed ribbons, burlap ribbon, printed rickrack trim, and vintage rickrack and loop trims. I used these as seam treatments, and for the ribbonwork flowers on the frame of the wooden hanger. I also found some rayon knitting ribbon and soutache braid for the stems of the flowers.

    In the top left corner I stitched a sun, with rays shining down into the garden. Little stitched extras (which you can find in the book) include a birds nest, yo-yos, and penny circles. The little birds resting in the nest are made from spun cotton with beaks and wings made from dried mushrooms.

    I filled the garden with buttons and charms of dragonflies, butterflies, and ladybugs. And of course spiders and their webs. I couched some old cotton twine for branches, on both the vertical edges, with a vine of couched silk ribbon to showcase the bright mixture of plastic, metal, and glass buttons.

    I kept the embroidery fairly simple, so that the imagery could shine through. Included are: running stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, couched stitch, lazy daisy stitch, fly stitch, French knot stitch, and straight stitch. You can find all of the embroidery stitches and the little stitched extras that I used in my book.

    Here is a video that I shot at the C&T Publishing Studios, that focuses on the new book, and some of my favorite pieces.

    Happy Stitching to you all! ~Christen

    A Heart a Day: 28 Part 2

    Feb28
    18 3/4˝ × 16 1/4˝ (47.6 × 41.3cm)

    Red Roses, Four Generations of Love

    This wallhanging started with several handkerchiefs that belonged to my mother and grandmother. The hankies are collage-pieced together with small bits of fabric, ribbons, laces, and trims. Special mementos include a few tatted and crochet flowers that my mom made, along with glass ladybugs, which is the symbol for our daughter. It is featured in my book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New, by C&T Publishing.

    Here is a list of A Heart a Day, 2023

    Happiest of heartfelt wishes for a wondrous day, and thank you for letting me share my love of hearts with you this month! ~Christen

    Tips and Tea on Tuesdays and A Heart a Day: 28 Part 1

    Feb28

    On Tips and Tea on Tuesdays, I will cover a topic and hopefully provide you with some tips that will be helpful! And just as an afterthought, tea may occasionally be a cup of Joe!

    Tea today is Watermelon and Lime Zinger, an unexpected blend of hibiscus with notes of watermelon and lime, well just like the name I guess it is a “Zinger”. I paired it with some oatmeal and fruit today.

    Today’s Tip: Is one that I think is worth repeating, keep those you love, close to your heart, treasure and treat any gift given to you as one coming straight from their heart.

    art doll, cloth doll
    Lady Rose
    mixed media
    Lizbeth’s’ Dress for February
    art doll
    Rose Marie
    Last of the Red Hot Lovers!

    Lady Rose

    Is an art doll that I made from a variety of components. The base of the body is made from felt, with two heart-shaped crochet doilies, and one embroidered heart shape pin, all made by my mom. I painted her face, and added ballerina shoe and hand-shape charms to the body, as well as crochet roses with leaves, also made by my mom. She is embellished with satin ribbons in a variety of widths and colors; vintage rickrack trim and rickrack roses; and vintage and new buttons.

    Lizbeth’s Dress for February

    Lizbeth is an art doll that I designed, several years ago, for a monthly challenge called Dress UP. The goal was to create a mixed media dress each month. I decided that I wanted to make a mannequin form first, and then create an ensemble for her each month. Her dress for February is primarily made from French wire ribbon; the accents are made from silk bias, velvet, and satin ribbons; with a bit of pink lace, and a heart-shaped button (from my guy).

    Rose Marie

    This is an art doll that I have made using a paint brush, this one was actually our basting brush from the kitchen. I soaked it too long in the dish pan and all the bristles came out. OOPS! No worries, I knew that I could make something from this fiasco. I painted the brush-base, the wooden heart-shaped body, and the cardboard backdrop with acrylic paints. I painted her face, and added in the “Carmen Miranda”-like tiara made from some crochet flowers made by my mom, and some ribbonwork leaves. On the backdrop, I added in a vine and leaf trim, additional plastic flowers, florist wire leaves, and lady bugs. Why? read on!

    Happy Stitching to you! ~Christen

    PS: If you have any questions or thoughts, just leave a comment! See Tips, Tricks, the Basics, for more helpful ideas.

    A Heart a Day: 22

    Feb22

    Heart Felt Wishes to you all! I love hearts, I love the shape, I love to decorate the house at Valentine’s Day, and I have a lot of hearts… so I decided to post A Heart a Day for the entire month of February. 

    Country Hearts
    Country Hearts

    All the promises we break
    From the cradle to the grave
    When all I want is you

    -U2, All I want is you.

    Happiest of heartfelt wishes for a wondrous day! ~Christen

    A Heart a Day: 20

    Feb20

    Heart Felt Wishes to you all! I love hearts, I love the shape, I love to decorate the house at Valentine’s Day, and I have a lot of hearts… so I decided to post A Heart a Day for the entire month of February.

    “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller, Author

    Happiest of heartfelt wishes for a wondrous day! ~Christen

    Tips and Tea on Tuesdays and a Heart a Day: 14

    Feb14

    On Tips and Tea on Tuesdays, I will cover a topic and hopefully provide you with some tips that will be helpful! And just as an afterthought, tea may occasionally be a cup of Joe!

    Happy Valentines Day!

    Tea today is especially fitting as it is Hibiscus, it is a slight ruby red, almost magenta color, and tastes a bit like cranberries. This white cup and pot set has a special memory attached to it, as it was given to me by a friend when I was 18. I shan’t tell you how many, (MANY), years ago that was, but one thing to admire is that it survived all of the moves that I have made in my lifetime. I wouldn’t give it away for the world!

    Today’s Tip: Is a simple one, keep those you love, close to your heart, treasure and treat any gift given to you as one coming straight from their heart.

    Gwen’s Heart

    The first image is a heart that was embroidered by my mom. The middle image is a heart that our daughter Gwen made for us when she was in grade school, she is 40 now, so this tells you how long I have kept this treasure. The last image, is a pillow made from ribbons that my husband found at Target for me, what a guy, and a treasure himself!

    A Heart a Day: 14

    Heart Felt Wishes to you all! I love hearts, I love the shape, I love to decorate the house at Valentine’s Day, and I have a lot of hearts… so I decided to post A Heart a Day for the entire month of February.

    Primarily Crazy for Kevin, the man that I have loved for 39 years, and will so for the rest of our lives!

    “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin, Journalist

    Happy Valentine’s Day, happy tea drinking, and stitching to you! ~Christen

    PS: If you have any questions or thoughts, just leave a comment! See Tips, Tricks, the Basics, for more helpful ideas.

    A Heart a Day: 11

    Feb11

    Heart Felt Wishes to you all! I love hearts, I love the shape, I love to decorate the house at Valentine’s Day, and I have a lot of hearts… so I decided to post A Heart a Day for the entire month of February.

    crazy pieced base with embroidery

    For the love of embroidery, and threads, and beads, and silk ribbon, and buttons, and trims, and for all of the things that make you happy, and inspire you to be creative.

    Happiest of heartfelt wishes for a wondrous day! ~Christen