Wednesday 17 January 2018

January's Crafting: Embroidery in a Hoop

On a scrap of worn linen, that I cut from a vintage tea towel, I have been stitching something special ...

Wise words stitched on linen.

This beautifully simple design, stitched within its own embroidery hoop frame, comes from Cheri Lehnow. Scrolling through her blog, tinkerwiththis, is a feast of handmade goodness! I found the pattern and easy-to-follow instructions, as a digital download in her Etsy shop, for less than AUD$5. 

I had most of the other materials here at home and just needed to buy the pearl cotton as I have not used this before to stitch with. I adored the calm colours Cheri stitched her "Be Still" embroidery in but I chose colours that I feel my friend would love and that would work well on the creamy old linen background.

Backstitches and tiny french knots.

This little project, a January birthday gift for a close friend, is worked in just two stitches. Backstitch, which I'm confident with, and little french knots, which I am learning to perfect. (I watched this short YouTube tutorial to remind myself ... again ... of the way to form a french knot.) I chose to stitch a felt circle backing, to finish off my hooped embroidery and to hide the back of my stitching. I followed this great tutorial over at the Spruce, as I learned how to do this. This felt backing neatened up my little handmade gift beautifully. 

Stitching on a felt circle for the backing.


Now that the front and the back are finished, all that's needed is a ribbon to make a loop for hanging on the wall, some gentle wrapping and a little tag with a heartfelt message for the happiest birthday. 💗 ðŸŽ‚ 


A little tag saved from a magazine completes my gift.

I hope my dear friend will breathe in deeply whenever she sees these quieting words that I stitched with love for her.  Xxx

Meg


































18 comments:

  1. What a lovely gift, Meg. Your friend will love it and the fact that you took the time to make her gift yourself.

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    1. Thanks, Chel. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Meg:)

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  2. What a lovely birthday present, one I'm sure your friend will treasure forever.

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    1. Thanks, Jan. I have a little cross stitched cushion that my beautiful friend gave to me over twenty years ago. I always think of her whenever I see it. Now she has a piece of handmade from me too. Meg:)

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  3. Such a beautiful handmade gift I'm sure your friend will appreciate it.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. I really enjoyed making it. Meg:)

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  4. Oh Meg, it’s just beautiful, I am sure your dear friend will just love it. Wise words too.
    Fi

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    1. Thanks, Fi. The words were the reason I chose this particular design to stitch for my friend who leads a really hectic life. Meg:)

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  5. How beautiful, what a lucky friend, I'm sure she will just love it.

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    1. Thanks! It was a lovely little project to do. The old linen was so soft and beautiful to stitch in to. Meg:)

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  6. What a special gift. I learned those stitches as a little girl, from my neighbor. I'm sure your friend will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

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    1. How lovely to have had someone to teach you when you were young, Stephenie. I'm learning as I go along now. Meg:)

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  7. I love this Meg! You have done a great job stitching such a lovely gift.

    xTania

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    1. Thanks, Tania! It was very easy to make; quite meditative doing all those little back stitches. I think the hoop frame sets it off nicely too. Meg:)

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  8. That is absolutely gorgeous Meg. I'm sure your friend will treasure it always.

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. I hope there is a place for it in my friend's home. Meg:)

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