Thursday, January 28, 2010

valentine trims

I am organizing some of my ribbons and trims...


I just love how these reds look together. The gorgeous red ribbon with the white stitching on it is my newest and maybe my favorite :) I think it might be because of the white running stitch it has down each side! The embroidery in the hoop in the background is a wip I am just finishing. I would like to make it into a small pillow or maybe a sachet?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

100 Stitches - Heavy Chain Stitch

Before I show off my latest stitch, I want to show a picture of this book - I have been enjoying looking at this old sewing and embroidery book from my grandma. It was published in 1949. It is a soft bound book and the price on the cover says 25 cents. Besides profiling embroidery stitches, it covers sewing basics, pattern alterations, fabric facts and a very handy needle and thread guide!
And now back to the on-going struggle :) through the 100 Stitches book. The latest stitch is the heavy chain stitch. Here it is in one look from start to finish:
The first step is to come up through the fabric and back down making a small vertical stitch. Then come up again a little below the bottom of the vertical stitch and pass the needle under the stitch without grabbing any fabric - just slide the needle under the stitch.

Next, go back down through the fabric right where you came up. Then
come back up a little lower...
and again, pass the needle under the FIRST vertical stitch. Again, don't grab any fabric with the needle, just pass under the stitch. Now go back down where you just came up and then come up again a little lower and this third stitch and every stitch after always pass under the two preceding loops - until you have a nice "heavy chain stitch" :)
This stitch is very easy and very fun to do - I used six strands of dmc #907 floss. I love this color! This is stitch #44 in the 100 Stitches book. It is in the "Linked stitches" section.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Be Mine - Valentine Embroidery Pattern Packet

I love these beautiful floss colors...

They are just the colors to use for Valentine's Day stitching projects! I have a new pattern packet called Be Mine and it features all kinds of beautiful hearts, doves, embellishments, borders and also - lazy daisies - my favorite now that I know how to do this stitch!




This is what the pattern packet looks like - I will be posting more of my finished projects made from this packet - they have been so much fun to stitch!