Whipped Satin Stitch

This is the latest stitch on my 100 Stitches list.  As the name says, this easy and beautiful stitch is composed of a Satin Stitched shape that is then whipped.  

It is especially effective if the whipping is done with a contrasting color.  For my demonstration, I am using chartreuse {DMC #12} and electric blue {DMC #3843} 

For the Satin Stitch filled shape, I used a rectangle from a bullet journal template

For complete Satin Stitch instructions, you can refer to my 100 Stitches post here.  I first outlined the shape with Back Stitch

Next, I finished the Satin Stitch portion:

For the whipping part, I used perle cotton thread

To start the whipping, I came up through the fabric on the edge of the Satin Stitched shape:

I crossed diagonally over the Satin Stitched shape and went back into the fabric on the opposite side: 

I continued to form diagonal lines all along the shape:

I found the instructions for this stitch in the book Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb.  She notes that this stitch may have the whipping either diagonally or straight across.  

Folk Art Flower Embroidery - part two

I finished the stitching on the Folk Art Flower project.  

The double head flower makes for a nice border accent.  Here I used it on a tea towel.

Can you see all the different stitches I used?  The stem of the flower is Whipped Back Stitch.  The leaves are Lazy Daisy Stitch with a Straight Stitch center:

The flower has Satin Stitch petals, a blue circle of Laced Running Stitch, a light blue circle of Double Knot Stitch, a red circle of Running Stitch and a Lazy Daisy center.  I added French Knots all around as accents.  

For the color palette, I used bright folk art colors - here are the floss numbers:

Baseball Theme Quilt Labels

I have a new set of Quilt Labels available in my shop.  These set is baseball themed!

As I have explained with my other sets, I print these on adhesive backed cotton sheets that can be run through a laser jet printer:

Once printed, I can remove the adhesive backing from the 100% cotton label and trim.  

Then I set the ink by using a dry iron on a high heat setting.

and the label is ready to use!  The best thing about these labels are that they can be customized by the user.  The labels have editable text boxes so that a customized message can be added.  The text font style, size and color can all be changed.

The labels are in pdf format and can be customized using the free program Adobe Reader.

There are also care instruction labels included.  These too may be customized:

There are 19 full color decorative labels, two blank labels and two care instruction labels.  The labels range in size from 3" x 2" to 5" x 5". 

I enjoy making labels for quilts, it is really nice to be able to add all the custom information I want and especially to be able to select different colors and fonts.

Raised Chevron Stitch

Time for another 100 Stitches post.  This is the Raised Chevron Stitch.        

This is a heavy composite line stitch made up of two rows of diagonal "V" shapes that are then threaded by a variation of the Chevron Stitch.  Sounds simple and basic.  It was not easy for me! Here is my attempt.

I found the instructions for this in the book Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb.  She suggests using a ruler to draw guidelines to keep the v shapes straight and even.  So that is how I started:

I used two different colored threads:

The first step is to come up through the fabric and start the v shapes:

 

and continuing that along the bottom horizontal line:

Then I turned the hoop around and did the same along the top line:

So far, so good.  Now comes the "threading".  I am using white floss and starting by coming up through the fabric in the middle space between the v's:

Once the needle and floss are pulled all the way through, I attempted the Chevron Stitch - notice the needle is now just going over and under the v's.  It is not going back into the fabric:

Over and under the legs of the V's:

alternating between the bottom row and the top row:

all the way across:

There is not a finished picture of the Raised Chevron Stitch in Embroidery Stitches with which to compare my finished work. 

Work In Progress - Folk Art Flower

 I have a new project to share - this is a flower border from my Folk Art Flowers embroidery pattern set. 

I am experimenting with several folk art inspired colors and some interesting stitches:

When I finish all the stitching, I will share the stitch information and my floss color numbers!

I have shared several projects from this pattern set - you may remember this:

and this:

And now this - so many different color palette options for flowers!

Color Palette Inspiration

 This vintage image has such a lovely and unusual color palette.  

I would like to use this palette in an embroidery project, so I am collecting floss that will match as closely as possible.    

I matched the main colors, ending up with a 10 color palette: 

I like to add new inspiration pictures and their color palettes in my inspiration journal.  I usually glue the picture in first:

then add floss swatches and numbers:

Trim everything up:

and start planning what I will make using this palette.