Embroidery Cat

Is it me?

Steve's daughter has moved into her own place, which she's renting with friends. She has decided to decorate her place with objects d' art that represent her loved ones. From her father, she has a collage of selfies, each trying to "out funny face" the other! They are a hoot and spend WAY too long at it!

From me she wanted a mini-quilt. If it's me, it would have to be embroidered. 

I thought a fat cat ready for adventure would be fitting

Do you see my gray fur?  I didn't design the pattern - it's from Anni Downs's Simply Pleasures book. And, typical of me, I had to over-complicate it - there are 8 unique stitches in this 4" square.

The toughest part was how to finish it. I didn't want to do a fake binding but binding it traditionally had its own challenges. To prevent slippage (since I'm not quilting it), I drew a line 1/8" smaller than it's final size and stitched all three layers together. 

Trimmed up, I can new sew the binding on - it's 1/4" seam will cover the stay stitching.

I'm using Sewn Into the Fabric's bias binding technique -- easily create a small strip of bias binding from a 10" square. This is the same technique I used with my Dad's stocking last year.

Quirky, joyous, and done! I hope Brenna likes it!

Birdie Stitches BOM - August

Finished another one!  Still need to complete July and now November.

Happy Stitchin!

Elisa

Birdie Stitches BOM - October

This one is one of my favorite ones so far!  I'm geeked I had it stitched in time for Halloween!

Again - white background but overcast day

I'm thinking I might not join these 12 into a larger quilt, after all.  I just finished something very similar for Christmas, and I can't bring myself to use my embroidered quilts.  Instead, I have one of those fabulous wire quilt frames that holds a 12" quilt.  I may finish each of these as their own mini quilt and have a different one for display each month.  What do you think?

Happy Halloween!
Elisa

Birdie Stitches BOM - June

Ok, I know it's well past June, but I've had a lot on my plate this summer.  

Finished June's block - woot! woot!  Haven't decided if I'm going to use it for June or for the label.

Background is white, but today is very overcast.

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

May Birdie Stitches

Ok, I'm catching up! Here's May, and I'll start June's tonight. Just have to add my sashing for June's Tis the Season!

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

My Embroidery Kits

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving my BOMs? That is one of the most fabulous surprises when I started to follow quilt blogs - BOM groups and free patterns! Luckily I decided early on that I can't participate in everything (even though I really, really want to join that Farmer's Wife Flickr group - control, girlfriend!)
I have been saving patterns for one day... And have joined in a few. I really do feel they've enriched my life and made me re-think my methods. I've learned SO much and they've really motivated me to finish some projects for myself!
A friend asked me how I keep track of all the different embroidery BOMs (I have several embroidery samplers in progress and I'm LOVING my Tis the Season and Birdie Stitches!) and I told her I have a kit for each project.

For each project, I have a Ziploc bag with floss, needles (note those wonderful Bohin #7 embroidery needles I bought from Raspberry Rabbit), scissors, tea tin (for thread snips) and index card. That index card is most important:

Each card contains the project name, start and end date (on back), motif, number of strands, stitch type, and floss number. It will also note floss source, sashing measurement, embellishments ("fill apples with French knots"), make/color of background fabrics, etc. For my Tis the Season, one card will last the entire project. For Birdie Stitches, where motifs/colors change monthly, I'll make a new one each month.
This way, I can pick up and work on any kit at any time without worrying about accidentally deviating from my original game plan. At the end of the project, I'll file away the card; if I decide later to make a stand-alone project, I can pull out my card for later reference.
If you get a chance, visit Tis and Birdie and see all the fabulous work these ladies have already completed! I'm hoping to post my June blocks this weekend.
Happy Stitching!
Elisa

Birdie Stitches BOM - March

Yesterday was a day of extreme hurry-up-and-wait so I was pleased that I was able to complete my March Birdie Stitches.  Isn't he adorable?  I didn't follow the true colors of the rainbow - instead, the colors will coordinate with my border fabric, Moda's Dilly Dally.

Sorry it's a little dark - it's raining here in Michigan and the day is overcast.  But that's OK, right?  Because I've made my very own rainbow!  (Corny?  Yes.  Glad I said it?  Yes!)

Hugs to you,

Elisa

p.s. Visit the Birdie Stitches Flickr page to see some other fun versions of this block!

Birdie Stitches BOM - February

Ok, I'm catching up!  Here's my February Birdie Stitches from Little Miss Shabby's site!

I've decided to try to make each bird in this block-of-the-month a different color.  March includes a rainbow so I think I'll make Birdie purple.  Pleased with my stem stitch, but the back stitch needs more practice.

Happy March!

Elisa

Birdie Stitches BOM - January

Ok, I know.  I'm a little behind.  Tonight I finished my Birdie Stitches January Block-of-the Month.  Isn't it adorable?

I'm planning on framing it with Moda's new Dilly Dally fabric line!

Monthly patterns are free on Little Miss Shabby's blog!  You can see other completed blocks on Flickr. 

Take care and stay warm!
    Elisa

Super Bowl Sunday Stitching (a.k.a. Embroidery Tutorial 101)

I'm just about all set for some stitching (in between commercials) today!  It's early 2011, and I'm already behind in my Birdie Stitches BOM. So much to do and so little time!  A friend asked how do I prep my fabric for embroidery because I don't use a hoop so I thought this would be a good time to share.  The below instructions work for me, and I hope you find them useful for yourself!

Embroidery 101: Prepping the Fabric

1. I love Kona Cotton (though I will use others if it suits the project). I always buy more than I need, wash it, label it, and set it somewhere safe. Note, not all white fabrics are equal so always ensure you have enough for a project because matching it later will be impossible.

2. When cutting, always cut slightly larger than needed. For Birdie, my finished block is 8.5" square so I cut it into 10.5" square.

3. When pressing, I like to use Mary Ellen's Best Press to give the piece a little stiffness and a very smooth surface.

4. I cut a piece of Pellon's lightest fusible interfacing about a half inch smaller than my fabric and fuse it to the wrong side. Several good tips to keep in mind:

• Make sure your fabric has no lint or pet hair on it prior to fusing - it will show!
• After I fuse, I let my fabric rest for a moment or two giving the interfacing time to cool/adhere.
• JoAnn Fabrics sends out regular 40% off coupons so I buy my interfacing by the bolt.

If you are participating in a Block of the Month (BOM), prepare all your squares (plus one or two extra) ahead of time.  That way, when you are ready to transfer your new pattern, the squares are all ready to go!  I like to prep 1 or 2 extra squares in case something happens when I'm transferring the pattern.  If I don't need them, then I can use them afterwards for a quick project to give as a gift (like the Mug Rugs I made last month).

5. Using my fabulous light box (also purchased with my 40% off coupon), I will transfer my design to my fabric.

• Print pattern and cut any extra paper away from the design.
• Tape pattern to the light box. To prevent the tape from permanently adhering to the box, I will apply the tape to my jeans first and then use it to tape the pattern down (fuzz on the tape prevents it from permanently sticking to my light box which causes a bumpy transfer surface later).
• Tape the fabric to the light box (centering it using a ruler) and tape down with more "fuzzy" tape.
• Trace pattern using color Pigma pens. I always trace the lines in the same color I will use to stitch because it guides me to color placement later and is covered by the floss.  Here is my February block: 

6. After transferring the pattern, I will carefully remove the fabric from the box and peel off all the tape. Then I will press the fabric (no steam) to set the ink. 

All set to go!  I'll share again when I'm done stitching.

Elisa