A New Cross Stitch Pattern

Rejoice Sampler is my newest cross stitch pattern! I used both Valdani 6 strand embroidery floss, and DMC embroidery floss to stitch the sampler onto Weeks Dye Works 36 count Mocha linen, using 2 strands of floss over 2 linen threads.

 

Rejoice Sampler

It's now available on my website as either a paper pattern mailed to you, or as a PDF instant download. I also have it listed in my new Etsy shop as a PDF instant download.

I finished all of the block and fabric replacements on my "Economy Patch" turn of the century quilt I blogged about last time, and now I'm on to the hand quilting phase. It should be interesting, as the border is very "ruffly", a feature I've never dealt with before, as I've always hand quilted my own quilts, which I make sure are perfectly flat. So, we'll see, LOL!

I've also taken on another quilt restoration project, this time on a quilt top I purchased online. I have an affinity for one patch quilts, made of many different prints, and this is such a one - made entirely of diamonds, with a 5" border. The quilt looks to be pieced in the 1870-1890 period, and is very well pieced, although all of the seams are very narrow - 1/8" wide. I read in Eileen Trestain's book, "Dating Fabrics", that quilters during this time period were encouraged to use narrow seams in their piecing to lessen the weight of the quilt. Very interesting! And this quilt top is certainly very light.

The quilt was tied some time later than the piecing, with a cotton batt, and a backing fabric that looks to be a 1930-40 fabric. I washed the quilt before removing the ties, and many of the fabrics fell apart after washing, principally the fabrics with brown in them. So, I'm replacing those patches with reproduction fabrics. Luckily, I have a good collection of reproduction fabrics, which I started buying when they first came on the market.

Here's an example of some of the patches that needed to be replaced, and then what I replaced them with:

 

"Before" replacing the patches

 

 

 

 And the replacements:

 

I auditioned the fabrics first by laying the reproductions close to the damaged patches to try to find fabrics that most closely resembled the originals, in color and tone. I hand pieced them together, but I'm using a 1/4" seam allowance, haha!

That's all for now! Until next time,

Martha

New Pattern! Butterfly Garden

I, like most of you perhaps, have a love for not only fabric, but threads. I especially love working with the beautiful hand dyed threads created by Valdani Threads and Weeks Dye Works. Each company has its own unique palette. In my newest pattern, Butterfly Garden, I use threads by both companies to create the embroidered flowers in blocks, which are then set on point along with pieced scrappy blocks, the "butterflies".

Detail - Butterfly Garden

This little 28" x 32 1/2" quilted "garden" is bordered by a picket fence using a scrappy assortment of cream and beige prints.

I'm offering the pattern as both a printed pattern to be mailed to you, or as an E Pattern for you to download, thus saving you shipping costs. Your choice! I'm going to try to do this from now on with new patterns,
as the cost of shipping can sometimes be cost prohibitive when ordering one pattern, for instance. I use USPS flat rate shipping so that I can track orders to make sure that they arrive to my customers, and it's fairly economical when you think about gas, travel, etc. from me to you (I know there are cheaper ways to ship, but no tracking). But still, I'd like to provide the option.

Here's hoping you're having a beautiful summer, with lots of butterflies!

Until next time,
Martha

Punch Needle for Spring

Spring is finally here, and I was definitely thinking spring when I stitched my new punchneedle pattern, Faded Blooms. I'll use the pattern for teaching punchneedle embroidery, so I designed it to be rather simple, but using beautiful Valdani threads can make a simple design something special.

Faded Blooms Punch Needle

I'm often asked where I get the frames I use for framing my stitchery. A beautiful frame can enhance any work, and I'm always on the lookout for nice frames when I'm out and about. I've found many beautiful frames at cross stitch/needlework shops, and if I fall in love with a frame, I'll buy it then, even if I don't have a project in mind. Another good place to find frames is antique shops. I've found frames that have already been "upgraded" with a fresh coat of paint. Just a few weeks ago I purchased a very nice frame that I will be painting myself.

The frame I used for "Faded Blooms" is one that I put together myself. I had some leftover wood rope molding and glued it to a purchased frame from a hobby shop. I needed a little bit of caulk in a few spots where the pieces of molding joined, so I mixed together a small amount of white glue and baking soda for a do-it-yourself caulk. I then chalk painted the frame and added a coat of dark wax.

One thing to look for when purchasing a frame, is the depth of the opening. I like to use a frame that has a depth of at least 3/8" so that it can accommodate foam core board as a surface to attach my stitchery. Refer to my previous post to see how I frame my needlework archivally:

https://wagonswestdesigns.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-punchneedle-patterns-and-how-i.html

Even though my frame for Faded Blooms has a rectangular opening, and the punchneedle itself is square, I was able to fill in the space with some vintage buttons stitched to a scrap of beautiful hand dyed Weeks Dye Works parchment linen, and cross stitched to the fabric background. You can always fill in a not quite perfect space with some creative layering of wool, and fabric. So many options!

Until next time!

Martha