Stitching Angels Series: An Update.

Today I am going to be sharing with you an update on what the Stitching Angels have been up to.  If you are new to the split stitch, the Stitching Angels are a wonderful group of kind-hearted ladies that volunteered their time and materials to help get some of my patterns stitched up.  Some of my "older" patterns needed a face lift, but mainly I had a lot of brand new patterns that needed some examples stitched up.  Can you believe how sweet these ladies are?  I call them the "Stitching Angels", because that is precisely what they are to me. 


A little while back, they introduced themselves here on the split stitch, and now today they are going to tell us how they have been doing with the pattern they chose.  I asked them to share with us their progress, and any other information that they wanted to share with us, such as; what method they chose to transfer the patterns, the floss they are using, stitches, etc.   Last time I listed their posts here in alphabetical order, today let's do a reverse alphabetical order  ... just to be fair!  Let's see what they had to say ...




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Meghan

Why hello again! I have to say, this Scandinavian Birds III set is proving to be even more fun than I expected! These little guys are SO versatile - I'm having trouble picking just one project. So much trouble, in fact, that I gave up and am working on several different items! That's allowed, right?


I've already got four tiny birds stitched up for project numero uno, and I'm working now on a giant version of a fifth design from the pattern set. For both of these projects, I chose to use a water-soluble pen and transfer tracing paper to get the pattern on the fabric. It's my favorite method, since it's quick and easy (no printing or copying required) and works great on my go-to fabric (natural linen). I actually just threw the paper up against my laptop screen and traced away (with a light hand, of course!), then re-traced over the patterns with the soluble pen. Worked like a champ.

As you can see from the photo, I picked several rich, bright summer-y colors for the set of four. I just can't resist color, and since the birds are so simple and classic in design this was a great chance to highlight some of my favorite shades. For the larger version I've combined two shades of blue to get a variegated look, and I'll be adding other accent colors as I go. And who knows, by the time I'm done I may very well have stitched up even more examples! I just can't get enough!


Stay tuned for the final post to see the finished projects - I guarantee you're going to want to grab needle and floss and stitch these up yourself once you see how fun they can be! And of course I'll give you all the info on floss colors, fabric choices, and all that fun stuff in that post as well. But for now, back to work!


Don't you love Meghan's birdies?  I really am envious of her photography abilities ... if you want to see more of her gorgeous work, be sure to stop by The Homespun Life. And, as a side note, Scandinavian Birds I, II and III will all come with what I am calling a "softie" size pattern ... perfect for hugging.


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Lindsay

I've had a lot of fun stitching up these examples [of the St. Patrick's Day Pattern set], and since they're small and very individualized, I can really sew them everywhere! I picked out a few simple ones to start with - I just stitched a backstitch around some of the patterns, and that was all they really needed. I especially loved stitching the curly decorative text.

My transfer method is very simple and basic: I use either a pencil or disappearing ink pen to trace the pattern onto the fabric. My apartment is very small and dark, so when I can't see the pattern underneath, I tape my pattern up against a window, then hold my fabric over the top to see the image behind with bright backlighting. It works for me!

Mostly with these patterns I chose to do a simple backstitch. Some of the clovers look really good with a satin stitch though. One of my favourites so far is the hat. I did a satin stitch on some of the details to make them stand out a little better. It turned out so cute! (I think this might be one of my giveaways!) I'm still working on a few more of these little St Patrick's Day icons, and am working a couple into usable, fun decorations.

Since I like stitching words so much, I came up with a new project I'm currently working on for my home. I was inspired by a simple project I saw in amongst the moda bake shop tutorials for placemats. Instead of appliqueing the names of my family members in the center panel, I decided to stitch the word "eat" in several different languages. If you're intrigued, check out my blog within the next couple of days for pictures, and maybe even a free pattern of all the words that i used! :D Coz i'm that generous. I'm also planning to do a matching table runner, but I have to decide on a pattern yet. So that's pretty much all I've been up to with my needles. :D

Linz

Lindsay is doing a fabulous job with the St. Patrick's Day embroidery pattern.  I had this set listed in the shop before, but my stitched examples were no where near as beautiful as what Lindsay stitched! I saw that she has her free "eat" embroidery patterns up HERE ... so cute!


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Jessica

Hello again! Here is my progress so far with the "Feel The Burn" pattern. The color of the towel I had picked out to use did not work well with my transfer method. The towel area I was going to stitch into was cross-stitch fabric. I have never had this problem before but I really think it was the color of the towel. After a hour of attempting I finally gave in and got out some fabric I had. Yes, it took me that long to finally give in. I have done my transfer method before on cross-stitch fabric but that was usually white so it was frustrating why it wasn't working this time.


My transfer method is not common among other stitchers. I say that because I hardly read about it. The transfer method I have used for awhile now and it has almost always worked for me. What do I use? Why graphite transfer paper as you can see in the picture above. It's rather easy to work with. Also, I can reuse the paper over and over again for different projects.You can wash it out of the material you are using or get rid of "mistakes" using a Tide pen like the one I have pictured above. Oh! An eraser works too as I have used it on transfer to cross-stitch fabric before.

Here is my work so far. Even though my life is pretty organized, I am never organized when it comes to crafting. I might have a picture in my head how I think the pattern should look but picking out the colors and what embriodery stitches I am going to use is completely random. One thing I did was using as many different embriodery stitches as I could. I wanted to show how easy Sara's pattern can be stitched for different designs.


I know Sara said we didn't have to use all the patterns but I am having fun with this and decided to do it!

My blog RainbowSweetStitch has been mostly full of crochet projects recently. This week I finished a amigurumi unicorn named Lancer. He will be taking a trip in the mail since he is a Birthday present. I also have a Captain American shield headband I just finished. I will make a post about that project soon too. I was asked by a friend to make it since that's her favorite superhero. I need to work on a pattern so I can make a Batman one for myself.

I am really loving Jessica's interpretation of these exercise themed patterns ... I really love how she added polka dots to the water bottle , and the super thick split stitch for the word "burn" (you know I love me some split stitch!).  And, thank-you Jessica for sharing the tip about the Tide pen.  I may have to give the carbon copy paper a try.


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Jennifer


A few weeks ago Sara at The Split Stitch asked for "stitching angels" to stitch up some samples of her patterns. I sent her an email volunteering. When the list of patterns go to me, I picked the American Football pattern. I have decided to make some coasters, perhaps for a Christmas gift.

This week, she has asked that we share a little about our stitching process. I almost always use a washable transfer pen to transfer my patterns. It's quick, it's easy, it washes out. If I'm using a light fabric and an easy pattern, I just trace it through the fabric. My secret for more complicated designs or darker fabrics is actually my daughter's Lite Brite. It is much fancier than the old school kind I had. One side is traditional Lite Brite, one is dry erase, one is a lightbox/tracing area, and I'm not sure about the other. It worked great for this little football.

My blue transfer pen wouldn't work on the green fabric, so I just used a regular pencil. I almost always just stitch on white fabric, but I'm trying to branch out. This green is really football field green, not this color. The football stands out really well.

These are all stitched up and washed (the fabric isn't so thin, it's just wet!). I think I'm doing to add a little houndstooth and make them Alabama coasters. I really like the way they are turning out.


Thanks Jennifer for sharing your progress, the tip about the Lite Brite is such a great idea! Jennifer also put this post up on her blog, you can see it HERE.  The coasters sound like such a fun project too ... I am sure my husband would like a set for his man-cave in the basement.


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Jane


Here are some pictures below that another one of the Angels sent me.  Her name is Jane, you did not get to meet her in the introduction post, and she does not have a craft blog to share, but she did want to share her birds with us.  She stitched up some more examples of my Scandinavian Birds I pattern that is available in the shop.  They are really sweet, thanks Jane for sharing.

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Holly

I'm stitching the box of chocolates as an insert for a Mother's Day card. To determine size, I found a large envelope in my greeting card stash, and left some room on all sides for a cardstock 'frame'. Instead of using plain fabric, I decided to use something with a bit of a print to it, to look like fancy paper/fabric behind the chocolates in the 'box'.

 The fabric is off-white quilting cotton, so I was able to simply print out the pattern on regular paper, lay it under my fabric and trace it on. I'm pretty sure that I included each chocolate (except the Easter Bunny). For fun (and to use up resources), I'm mostly using floss left over from Mill Hill beaded santa ornament kits, which never *quite* match the floss I have wound on cards in my floss box. I did pull blues from my regular floss box, to match the flowers on the fabric.

My favorite outline stitch is stem stitch. I love how it looks, even on curves and corners. This pattern lends itself to a variety of stitches though, so I've also tried straight stitch, rope stitch, chain stitch, split stitch, a couple of lazy daisies and some candlewicking knots. A few of those are new to me, and I'm enjoying trying out new stitches!

Holly

Thanks Holly for your update, and the idea that patterned fabric could look like a fancy paper behind the chocolate.  Holly is using the rectangle shaped box template, which is really neat because my stitched example for this pattern is in the heart shaped box ... I am really looking forward to seeing the end result!

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Happy Hands

It’s me again, Happy Hands from Mimicking God’s Creation. :) Today I’m here to show you a bit of my progress on Sara’s Modern Blooms pattern that I’ve been stitching up. Well, I’m about halfway done!

I transferred this pattern using a fabric marker. I like using this method because once you’re done stitching you can easily squirt the blue lines off with water. :)

For my color choices, I chose warm colors (except for that icy blue; that’s more on the cold side, don’t ya think?). I used DMC embroidery floss colors 349 (red), 964 (the icy blue), 433 (brown), and 742 (a gold colored orange).

As for the stitching, I’ve been using the satin stitch for filling in the petals of the flowers and the back stitch for everything else.

My cross stitch piece is almost done. Just one more flower to go! :)

This also happens to be my first cross stitch piece ever. I really like how it’s turning out. :)

Over at my blog this week, I’ve posted some projects that I’ve done; like a cute bunny ring, some bows, and a cool fabric ball. I would love if you could stop by and see them.  :) If you want to make some of them, most of them have a link to the tutorial I got the project from.

Well, it was nice to show you my progress this week! Can’t wait to show you them all finished and pretty next week (and I’ll also have a cute freebie to show you that you can stitch up… :).

Happy Stitching! :)

-HappyHands

HappyHands is doing a wonderful job stitching up some more examples for the Modern Blooms pattern ... I am really loving the bright, fun colors. It really warms my heart to know that her first cross stitch project is using one of my charts.  I can't wait to see the finished embroidery and cross stitch!

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Dominique

After choosing the Pine Cones pattern I was at a bit of a loss with what to do with it and knew this would end up producing something that I would never have thought of on my own. As soon as I saw the patterns though.... Pine Cone Christmas Wreath! This is a huge benefit of Sara's pattern, you get a bunch of different pine cones in many sizes, and you can use them how you like :)

I traced, arranged and made artful use of the work photocopier until I I perfected the arrangement and was ready to the transfer it to my fabric. At the moment I'm really liking the Sublime Stitching Transfer Paper  and found it worked awesomely on my fabric, which I think is a calico/natural coloured linen. I always feel things on natural coloured fabrics feel more home made, and that was the sense I was getting from these pine cones.

Three days ago I began embroidering. I started the branches in back stitch, and almost continued this onto the lettering, but I thought that would be boring, so instead the lettering is outlined whipped chain stitch (wrapping the chain stitch with foiled DMC Cotton) and filled in with "lazy satin stitch" (terminology via Carina  ).

I'm leaving the pine cones till last because I'm still working on how I'm going to do them and I always try to embroider in the order I would do a collage - adding things that are in the "foreground" last. As I mentioned in my blog, I like the idea of doing them natural brown colours, and then adding some glittery highlights as though some kid has glittered and painted them. I'm trying to figure out the exact method to depict that with thread though.

Hope you are enjoying, or did enjoy your holiday :)

Cheers,

Dominique

 

Can I just say, "wow!"?  What Dominique has done here is just amazing, and she has put into reality what I always hope to accomplish with my patterns ... simple, individual motifs that can be put together to create something totally unique. And, this wreath is unique to be sure.  I cannot wait to see the finished wreath!

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Dawn

I've been working on the love bird series for Sara. Part 2 is this set of birds done in a back stitch with my favorite dark blue. Baby pink daisy flowers and light green leaves . I can't decide if I want to make the set into a pillow or frame them. Guess you'll have to wait and see, how cruel of me.
 

I seem to like using the disappering ink, I just take my pattern and tape it to what ever fabric I'm using. Then up it up to a bright window and trace away. When I'm finished the project it's just rinsed out with water, blotted with a cloth and left to dry till morning. I love how it looks so different when the blue ink is gone. I'll have to remember to get a before and after pic next time:) 

~ Dawn from sew sweet

Thanks Dawn for the update, those disappearing markers and pends are my favorite way to transfer too! The pastel colors are really pretty. 

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Amy

When I received the PDF snakes pattern from Sara, the first thing I did was make sure I could identify each of the four snakes.  Next, I pinned some images on Pinterest, because the wildlife biology major in me really wanted to stitch at least some of the snakes accurately. I consulted those images before choosing floss colors for the first two snakes I stitched, the Emerald Tree Boa and the Rattlesnake.

Since I’m stitching these on muslin, I simply taped the pattern to the window with the muslin over it and traced the image with a pencil. (Fancy, I know!) I love backstitch, so that’s my outline stitch here, but I wanted to take the opportunity to expand my stitch vocabulary, so I chose satin stitch for the white spots, and I outlined them in chain stitch using just two strands. (Typically I use three strands, mostly because it appeals to my neat-and-tidy nature: it divides neatly into six.) I think this pattern would look really cool on some patterned green fabric—especially as an appliqué—but since it’s on natural muslin, I needed to get that snake green, not just outlined in green. For this, I shaded with a colored pencil. It’s kind of cheating, but I like the effect nonetheless.

For the rattler, though, I wanted to complete all the fill with stitching. So I went with seed stitch—my first time using it.

I love it. I really love it. Again, I’ve used backstitch for the outline (and satin stitch for the tongue). But it’s the seed stitch that makes this shine, in my opinion.

For the next two snakes—a striped one and a Cobra—I let my two younger children pick out the colors. The biologist in me is closing its eyes and making way for some whimsy.

Thanks Amy! Your Emerald Tree Boa is beautiful ... I got a chance to see one up close at the Shedd Aquarium last week, and I must say your color selections are spot on! If you would like to see more of Amy, be sure to check out her blog HERE.

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Allison

It's Allison again from little lovelies. I have been hard at work stitching up Scandinavian Birds II. I have a little sneak peek of some of these cute birds for you.

They still need their finishing touches - eyes, beaks, and some legs, but I am very happy with how things are looking. I am using this stitching volunteer work to actually make a project - but you have to wait to see it :) The suspense!!

I chose fun, vibrant colors that are pretty but not over the top. I think the colors combined have a vintage vibe.
Red - DMC 321
Yellow - DMC 3822
Orange - DMC 3854
Blue - DMC 503
Green - DMC 834
Grey - DMC 535

I also photographed my transfer method. Excuse the pictures - this process is not a pretty one I suppose.

1. I used a lamp and a piece of plastic from an old picture frame. From the bottom up: lamp, glass, pattern.


2. Lay your fabric over the pattern and slowly, carefully trace using a water soluble pen (found in the fabric section of Hobby Lobby).


3. See? You can also do this process using a window - tape up your pattern and then tape up your fabric and trace. Since I am a night owl crafter, a lamp does the trick!


That's all for now. I can't wait to finish my stitching and project and come back here and share!

Thanks Allison for showing us how you transfer your patterns, that really is an ingenious idea.  I am totally loving the Scandinavian Birds II patterns that you are stitching up too ... they look so sweet and whimsical with the colors you chose!

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Be sure to pop in next week when the Stitching Angels show us their finished work.  There will be lots of pretty pictures ... and giveaways too!

Hugs, Sara :)




P.S. I aplologize for all of the weird editing in this post, for some reason it appears normal when I am in the "compose screen", and then when I view it here it looks so strange! I am so clueless with HTML!!