100 Stitches - Overcast Bars

Overcast bars - this is the next stitch on my 100 Stitches list.   

This is a really beautiful stitch and one I found very easy to learn.  At least my version!  The instructions were not very clear on beginning and ending the stitch so I improvised and I think it looks just fine:

   

This stitch is from the Drawn Thread Embroidery category, so I used medium to loose weave linen fabric.  For the floss, I used perle cotton, this is color variations DMC #4180. 

The first step is to draw out the horizontal threads in the section to be stitched.  The vertical threads are left in place and the overcasting is done around them.

According to the picture in 100 Stitches, this stitch is worked from right to left. 

I brought the needle up through the fabric at the bottom of the right side of the stitching area:

I pulled the floss all the way through and then carefully slid the needle behind four of the vertical threads:

I pulled the floss all the way through:

And then brought the needle back around and slid the needle behind the same four threads. 

I drew the floss tight and that made the first overcast stitch:

I just continued overcast stitching all the way to the top of the four threads:

Then I slid the needle behind the next four threads and overcast stitched them in the same way as the first group:

I continued in the same way overcast stitching each group.  When I was done, I went back into the fabric and tied a knot on the underside. 

Here is a look at the underside of the stitching:

Isn't this a beautiful stitch?  I love it in this pink color variations floss. 

I also wanted to try this in white floss:

I like it in white too! 

Overcast Bars is #81 on the 100 Stitches list and in in the Drawn Thread Embroidery Category.

Ballerina Pillow Project - Part Five

 I have an update to share on my ballerina pillow project. 

You can read my other posts about this project here: {part one} {part two} {part three} {part four}

All the stitching for the front panel of the pillow is finished.  I measured the dimensions of the fabric.  It is a rectangle measuring approximately 15-1/2" horizontal x 12" vertical. 

I cut another piece of fabric for the back panel.

 Now I need to square up all the sides of both pieces of fabric to exact dimensions.  I need to use my rotary cutter for that.  I am not very accurate when cutting with scissors!

I also want to have the back panel embroidered.  I am trying to narrow down my choices to one of these motifs:

Then I will form the pillow and choose a beautiful trim for the edges.  I like these choices, this is what I have on hand, but I don't have enough of the pink and I think it may be too narrow.  I will probably do a combination of colors.  I LOVE the green velvet so I know I will use that :)

I will make sure to post my next steps!

Triceratops Project - Part Two

Since my last post on this project, I have made the following progress.  I chose the motifs I wanted to use and finalized the layout.  I taped them into place on my cutting mat:

Then I laid the fabric over the whole thing and transferred all the motifs to the fabric:

Then I started stitching.  I am still deciding which colors I like for this and which stitches I am going to be using, but so far so good!

Walking around outside last evening, I must have been thinking about my triceratops project - everything I took pictures of looked vaguely Jurassic!

Ballerina Pillow Project - Part Four

I have made quite a bit of progress on my ballerina pillow project. 

You can read my other posts about this project here: {part one} {part two} {part three} 

I finished the top border motif. 

Here is a closer look - I used the chain stitch, back stitch, stem stitch and double knot stitch:

I have also finished all the ballet costumes. 

Since my last post, I have made a few changes to the purple costume. 

If you have been following this project, you may have noticed that in previous posts the purple costume had wide shoulder straps:

I decided I didn't like the way those looked after I had filled in the bodice of the costume, so I cut the purple stitching on the straps out.  I decided that double spaghetti straps stitched in the lavender of the tutu would look better.  I started to make the change....

and then realized you should be able to see the hanger between the spaghetti straps - I hadn't stitched it before because it had been covered by the wider straps - so I had to stitch the missing parts of the hanger first!

Then I stitched each of the spaghetti straps with a single straight stitch

that I couched with this beautiful blending filament that adds so much sparkle:

Next, I washed out all the water soluble marker:

and stretched the fabric out to dry:

It is really beautiful!

I will be back with another post on my next steps with this project!

Triceratops Project - Part One

These beautiful colors are some I am considering for the color palette of my new stitching project. 

I am going to be embroidering this triceratops.  This is from my Dinosaur pattern.  To compose a scene to embroider, I have cut out the triceratops figure, the text, and some trees and foliage: 

 I also cut out two different volcanoes; one that is active - starting to erupt! - and one with the sun or moon and clouds around it.  I don't know yet if I will add either of these:

After I select all my motifs to embroider, I will carefully arrange them on my cutting mat and tape them in place.  Next, I will lay my fabric over them and trace the motifs onto my fabric:

Then I will be on to one of my favorite parts of a stitching project, selecting the floss colors!  I have already stitched a T-Rex from this pattern {you can read about that here} and I want the floss colors I select to match that project. 

The yellow, red and oranges will be perfect if I choose to stitch the erupting volcano!