Embroidery 101-4

I hope that you are having fun experimenting with different embroidery stitches. Today I’m going to show you a couple of stitch techniques that can be used to color in large spaces with stitches. It’s a great way to add texture and detail to your panel. Today I am working on my Woodland getaway panel from Marcus Fabrics.

I will be stitching on the tent and camper sections of the panel. If you are doing the Woodland Getaway BOM then these are extra pieces that you can have fun and experiment with. I will being showing you how I use a ‘long-short’ stitch and a diagonal filling stitch. So grab a comfy chair, pop in a favorite movie and let’s get stitching.....

I am using the long short stitch to fill in the main body of the tent. I am using a variegated #12  Valdani pearl cotton. I also used the same thread for a satin stitch that I did for the flaps of the tent. I used a tweed #12 thread for the ‘inside’ of the tent.

I love the texture this stitch added to the tent design. My tent reminds me of camping with my younger son when he was in Boy Scouts. I am not a good camper and didn’t sleep a wink in our canvas tent. I need hard sides and a door that closes to be a good camper.... 

Now I can certainly camp in this adorable camper.
To embroider the curtains of my camper I am using a variation of the diagonal filling stitch. Instead of working on the diagonal, I am stitching straight on with the design. I start by stitching lines evenly spaced horizontally in the design.

I then stitch lines vertically on the design. Once all of my lines are done I then secure where the lines intersect with a little seed stitch.

I stitch  up and down the rows.

Here the section is completed. To finish the curtain off, I added a back stitch along the bottom of the curtain.

I hope that you try out the long-short stitch and the diagonal fill in stitch. I have Valdani thread kits for the Woodland Getaway panel available in my Etsy Shop and also on the website along with the Woodland Getaway panel. My next posting will be for the next installment of the Grandma’s Attic BOM and then I’ll post some more panel fun. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and find some time to relax and do some stitching.

Happy stitching,

Cindy & Belvedere

Embroidery 101-3

Welcome back to my little embroidery series. I hope that you are having fun stitching along with me. I like to use Valdani thread either #8 or #12 weight pearl cotton (12 being my favorite). I also like to use DMC embroidery cotton, I usually use three strands when I embroider. Remember to have good lighting, a comfortable seat, beverage of your choice handy too! I’ve been addicted to ice tea lately, mango ice tea.... yum.....

I like to use #12 pearl cotton, a single strand.

If I use DMC floss, I use 3 strands for embroidery.

Today I’m going to show you a couple of alternate ways to stitch for a bold look. The first stitch is a blanket stitch, and then I’m going to show you a basket weave stitch. 

On this part of the panel I used mainly a back stitch or outline stitch. 

I thought about it and wondered what it would look like done with much bolder stitches. I remember seeing the blanket stitch used on some vintage dresser runners in my youth at grandma’s house. So let me show you a blanket stitch and how I used it on the rooster section on my panel. 

I used a blanket stitch for the roosters body and wings. I also used a variegated thread which add extra depth to the design.

To fill in the roosters comb and waddle, I used a basket weave stitch. I don’t know where I first learned this stitch, but it’s a fun way to color with thread if you want to fill in an area. 

I used a variegated red thread and started the weave stitch by stitching long stitches evenly spaced  all in one direction.

These stitches will create your warp....

In this picture you can see that I have done several rows of weaving. Remember weaving in school?  

I use my needle as a shuttle to go over and under the warp threads.  As you can see I bring my thread up from the back, weave across and then poke my needle down to pull it thru the back side. 

Then you bring the thread up from the backside and weave in the other direction.

Continue to weave until you have the entire section filled. Isn’t it a fun stitch! I outlined the roosters head using a back stitch. Used a French knot for the rooster’s eye, and used a satin stitch for the beak. Do you see how I outlined the satin stitch for a little extra drama. The added stitches adds an extra pop.

See how I’ve used the different stitches? The blanket stitch gives the design a nostalgic look. Using different embroidery stitches Is a great way to personalize the panel. So have fun stitching and let your imagination go. I have something special planned for this rooster, I can’t wait to share it. 

I’ll be posting more stitch ideas for my Blue Ribbon and Woodland Getaway panels from Marcus Fabrics. You can find the panels on my Website and Etsy Store. I also have Valdani thread and thread kits available too. I hope that you have fun experimenting with the blanket stitch and weaving stitch as you embroider. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Embroidery 101-2

Let me recap what I've talked about so far.... I like to use Valdani Pearl Cotton. I use the #12 and #8 weight typically. I also have a healthy collection of DMC floss. When I embroider I use 3 strands to stitch with. I line my panels with a fusible interfacing and then I machine stitch around the edges. I like to use an embroidery hoop but I've been known to stitch without one! (yes, I break rules even in the embroidery world....) I love my Ott Lite, especially if I'm doing my stitching at night in front of the TV. Watching the Hallmark station is perfect for stitching. The time will just fly by!

Welcome! Today I will be showing you how I use a running and satin stitch. These are both basic stitches and come in handy for many different designs. They are great stitches for beginners and can be used so many different ways. I have been using my Blue Ribbon and Woodland Getaway panels to demonstrate my stitches on.

I used a running stitch for the bumblebees flight. 

Here is a step by step photo tutorial on doing a satin stitch. I’m using a variegated #12 pearl cotton from Valdani Thread. I love using variegated thread to add extra dimension to the design. These sweet stars are found on my Woodland Getaway panel. Filling them in with a satin stitch adds an extra pop to the design. 

On my Blue Ribbon panel I thought it would be fun to fill in the cone flower petals with a satin stitch. Coloring the design with thread. The flower will stand out more on the panel using a satin stitch instead of outlining the design with a back stitch.

Here is a finished cone flower... do you see how I used the satin and satin stitch?  I used a variegated green thread for the leaves, isn’t it a fun look.

I'll be posting more stitch ideas over the next few days. I also have the Blue Ribbon Panel and Woodland Getaway panel available on my Website and in my Etsy Store. I hope that you have fun experimenting with the running and satin stitch as you embroider. 

Happy stitching,

Cindy & Belvedere

Embroidery 101

As many as you know, I have a couple of panels available thru Marcus Fabrics. They are fun to work with and embellish. So I thought I would talk about embroidery over the next few days. Growing up, one of the first needlework projects mom started me on was embroidery. I remember mom had a small 'how to' book she let me use that listed a bunch of embroidery stitches. I remember working on a kit that had flowers that was done all in crewel work. Many different stitches using a lightweight wool yarn to stitch with and a big needle. 

I like to use pearl cotton from Valdani. I typically use #12 or #8 thread. You can also embroider using 3 strands of DMC floss. I like to use a small needle to embroider with. I feel like needles are a personal preference. I also recommend a needle threader and an Ott Lite (or other good lighting) I'm of an age that I'm blind as a bat as soon as the sun goes down so I love my Ott Lite. You will also need an embroidery hoop. I have hoops in various sizes. Again, using a hoop or not using a hoop is a personal preference. I have also been known to not use a hoop while stitching. When I work with my panels, I line the panel with an iron on interfacing on the back side. I then stitch along the edges using my sewing machine to hold the interfacing in place. My three favorite stitches are the French Knot, Backstitch and Lazy Daisy. These were also the first stitches I learned when I was a little girl.

You can see in this up close picture of some of my stitching how I used a backstitch and French knots to stitch on my Woodland Getaway panel. 

On this section of my Blue Ribbon panel you can see how I used the backstitch to outline the rooster design. I used a French knot for the rooster's eye and also for the flower centers.

Here you can see how I traced a sweet snowman design using a water soluble marker. I am stitching the design using a back stitch and a few french knots. 

Can you see how I used the lazy daisy stitch to make the purple flowers on my Blue Ribbon Panel? It's a quick and easy stitch to do to make flower petals.

As you can see, you don't need to learn a ton of stitches to be able to embroider one of my fabric panels. I love to embroider in front of the TV watching the Hallmark Channel. It's a relaxing way to spend an afternoon when you need a break. I'll be posting more stitch ideas over the next few days. I also have the Blue Ribbon Panel and Woodland Getaway panel available on my Website and in my Etsy Store. I also have Valdani Pearl Cotton and thread kits available.

Happy quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere

Hollyhocks!

My grandma had such a green thumb and I remember she used to grow hollyhocks. As a little kid they looked like they reached the sky. Grandma loved her garden and growing things. Maybe that’s where my love of gardening came from. I was very lucky to live near my grandparents when hubby and I were first married and she helped me plant my first garden. I remember shelling peas, picking corn and beans. I learned how to can that summer and have been canning since. Whenever I see hollyhocks growing I always think of grandma. So when I designed my blue ribbon panel, I just had to have hollyhocks (lilacs too) in memory of grandma.

Today I thought I would post directions on how to make this springtime table runner that can be put on display until fall. It uses the hollyhock section of my Blue Ribbon panel. The design can be embroidered or left plan as I did on mine. The patter n is very similar to the Hen and Chicks table runner and is a quick and easy project that has delightful results. I just love how bright and springy the Aunt Grace fabrics are. The table runner is a great size and can be easily adapted to hang on the wall just by adding a hanging sleeve to the upper back of the design. I like to use mine to add an extra pop of color in my home displayed on my kitchen island. So cute!

I hope you enjoy this little freebie pattern using my Blue Ribbon panel. It’s the perfect table runner to put out during the spring and summer months. If you happen to love to garden you could keep your runner on display year round! I do have the Blue Ribbon fabric panel available in my Etsy and Website Stores. The panel is also available in many local quilt stores too!

Happy quilting,

Cindy & Belvedere

Hen and Chicks in the Garden!

I have a few friends and my sister that have chickens and during this time of year there are baby chicks cheeping away in the garden. I hope someday to have a flock of chickens to call my own. I love fresh eggs and it's always a treat to get a dozen or two from my sister. Today I would like to show you a fun way to use the hen and chick designs on my Blue Ribbon panel from Marcus Fabrics. The panel can be found in quilt shops now! (and also on my website) The design can be embroidered or left plain. It's totally up to you. I did not embroider the panel sections for the projects I'm showing you today. If you decide to embroider your hen and chick panels, do not trim up to the block sizing stated in the table runner pattern until you have completed your stitching. 

This is a fun table runner to make using the hen and chick sections of the panel along with scrap pieces of Aunt Grace's Apron fabric by Judie Rothermel from Marcus Fabrics. You can also dig thru your stash for reproduction 1930's fabrics to go with the panel too.  What I love about the Aunt Grace fabrics is they look lovely mixed up, even between different collections. As you can see the runner is pretty simple and can be easily pieced in an afternoon.

I did simple meandering for the quilting around my mama hen and her baby chicks. To quilt on the border I used my walking foot and quilted X ‘ s in each of the squares. 

I hope you enjoy this little freebie pattern using my Blue Ribbon panel. It’s the perfect table runner to put out during the spring and summer months. If you happen to love and raise chickens, not only do I envy you but you could keep your runner on display year round!

Happy quilting,

Cindy & Belvedere

Chester's Wagon Ride

Do you love Scotties? I sure think they are adorable!

Spring has arrived in Minnesota and it's the time of year that I think a lot about my grandma, she love flowers and to garden. My Blue Ribbon panel from Marcus Fabrics features a sweet dog and cat sitting in the flower garden. It's a great panel, it can be embroidered or left plain. In the Chester's Wagon Ride pattern, I left my panel plain for the sample. The quilt is a nostalgic design featuring a Scottie Dog block. The quilt is embellished with traditional quilting.

It a fun quilt to put together. I used Aunt Graces Apron by Judie Rothermel from Marcus Fabrics. I love working with reproduction fabrics. The blues remind me of my grandma's house dresses she used to wear on the farm. She always had a tissue tucked in her sleeve and a smile on her face. She lived thru the great depression and WWII. She saved everything from wrapping paper to tin foil. I smiled because I found myself washing a throw away tin loaf pan because the store had run out of them the last time I was there. Grandma would've washed it too.... 

Back to this sweet quilt, as I mentioned I used the Aunt Graces Apron fabric line from Marcus, but you could use any of the Aunt Grace fabrics. I'm fond of the red print with the Scottie design, just adorable and the inspiration for the Scottie block. The pattern for Chester's Wagon Ride is available on my 

website.

As I work on the scottie dog block, I find it helpful to lay all of the elements out on my table so I know how to sew the block together. The quilt has two scottie dog blocks, facing in two directions. So remember don't make all your dogs looking in the same direction!

Isn't this just an adorable block. My dog just had to have a red bow tie!

There is a total of 16 star blocks in this quilt. I made 8 stars in two colorways but the stars can be made scrappier if you choose. 

~Chester's Wagon Ride~

I hope that you enjoy this quilt, it is a fun way to use the Blue Ribbon Panel. Over the next few days I will show you a few different things that I have done with this panel. Both the pattern and panel can be found on my Website or a quilt shop near you! I'm going to head outside now and plant some flowers.

Happy quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere