I am excited, and happy to announce that I will be presenting at the Quilt Festival Long Beach this year, in the Open Studios section. I will be presenting and demoing on the showroom floor, Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Saltwater Taffy Trimmings
The first demonstration will be on Embellishing with Decorative Trims from 12:00 – 2:00pm. I just created this new piece, that has many examples on how you can use decorative trims in your creative work. I will also have examples from my book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New.
Hooped Samplers
The second demonstration will be on Embroidering Within the Lines, from 2:00 – 4:00pm. I will be showing people how to use stencils, and other stitching aids in order to obtain a more consistent stitch. I created Hooped Samplers from the many, many, many, samplers that I stitched while teaching my class The Embroidery Corner, at Beverly’s Fabrics, (sadly and alas, this is not a class that I teach currently). I will have additional samplers, and examples from my book Hand Embroidery Dictionary.
What more can I say? I have a selection of pieces to show you today, some you may have seen and some are from my upcoming book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old With the New, by C&T Publishing.
Well Hello Dolly: Vintage jacquard ribbons from the 1940s frame the four hand-quilted, printed pattern pieces for the dolls, Alice and Jeannie. Embellishments include a leaf trim, satin ribbons, ribbonwork flowers, celluloid flower pins, glass and plastic flowers beads, and vintage hat buttons. The chapter on Altering the Past, has a section on Ribbon and Trim Details, that shows you how to make the ribbonwork flowers.
Treasure Keeper PocketTreasure Keeper Pocket and Buckle BookmarkExamples of ways to use jacquard and grosgrain ribbons
Here are two examples of the Stash Projects that use ribbon. These two projects are primarily hand-sewn, so if you don’t own a sewing machine, you can still make them!
Close-up Patched and ButtonedClose-up Sweet DreamsClose-up Cotton Candy and Cinnamon HeartsClose-up of Into the GardenExamples of rickrack trims
These are all examples of how you can incorporated rickrack and other trims into your work. There is a section in the chapter Altering the Past, on how you can stitch Ribbon and Trim Details.
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.
I love to work with ribbon, ribbon, and more ribbon.
These are examples from my first book, Ribbonwork Gardens by C&T Publishing. There are 122 realistic flowers, leaves and garden extras included in the book, with experience levels from easy to advanced.
There are over 14 basic techniques, some traditional and some that I have created especially for this book. There is a complete compendium with ribbon styles, selection and care, and troubleshooting tips with several gallery pages and examples sprinkled throughout the book for inspiration.
These are examples from my second ribbonwork book, Ribbonwork Flowers, by C&T Publishing. There are 132 flowers, leaves, and garden extras – each with complete instructions and colorful how-to photos.
I have created these components using new twists on vintage ribbonwork construction, as well as creating new techniques of my own. The book includes flowers, petals, leaves, flower centers, fruit, and stem designs. There are several gallery pages and examples sprinkled throughout the book for inspiration.
This is an example of my class, Gingerbread Details and Decorative Trims. Many of these edgings and trims use vintage techniques turning ordinary ribbon into detailed extraordinary couture trims. The simple techniques that are used to create these decorations range from folded, braided, wrapped and sewn.
This is truly a one of a kind scarf, that you can make with practically any fiber that you have on hand. You will make a stitched “mesh” using a Solvy base, and strips and scraps of fabric, decorative yarns, ribbons and metallic or rayon threads. The result will be a lightweight, colorful scarf that can be worn all year round. Fringe can be added at the ends for extra flare.
Lesson 1: In this class you will learn about working with rayon and metallic threads and using these to make your “mesh”. I will give you ideas on how to cut or strip your fabric, then stitch these onto the base.
Lesson 2: In this class I will show you how to incorporate the decorative yarns and ribbons to further enhance your scarf. The last step is to add the fringe and voila you are done!
Class Information
These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule.The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.
Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.
A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.
You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.
Gingerbread Details and Decorative Trims: 2 lessons/$30.00
Girls of all ages love ribbon, trims and frills, and these 28 trims gathered here would be no exception. Many of these edgings and trims use vintage techniques turning ordinary ribbon into detailed extraordinary couture trims. The simple techniques that are used to create these decorations range from folded, braided, wrapped and sewn. These trims can be used to turn thrift store clothing into couture, transform pieced CQ work above and beyond, and mixed media projects into fabulous works of art.
Skill Level Beginning/Intermediate: hand sewing and ribbonwork knowledge helpful.
Lesson 1: This lesson will cover these Folded Trims: Flat Braid, Curved Braid, Folded Braid, Fence Post Trim and Zigzag Plate. The Stitched Edgings are: Short Ruched Trim: 2RW, Long Ruched Trim: 3RW, Short-Long-Short Ruched Trim, Detail Ruched Trim, Two Ribbon Trim, Box Pleat, Detailed Box Pleat, Box Bow and Shell Stitch Trim.
Lesson 2: This lesson will cover these Novelty Trims: Eyelet Lace Trim, Layered Ribbon with Buttons, Chain Loop, Detailed Rouleau and Twisted Thread Trim. The Stitched Edgings are: Paddle-wheel, Rosette Trim, Buds and Roses Trim, Knife Pleat, Knife Pleat with Trim, Poofed Trim, Switchback Gather Loop, Sheered Ribbon and Detailed Sheered Ribbon.
Class Information
These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule.The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.
Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.
A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.
You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.
Christen's Creations 