Instruction Sheets for Hydrangea and Geraniums, and the Rose

Lets try this. I hope it helps you while Google decides to undo the blocking of my PDF files.
Here are the instruction sheets in JPEG form. The size may be off, but if you freehand your design, it should allow you to continue with your stitching.
If you print them off in a standard 8 1/2" by 11", the size should be right.
Have fun!





Here are a few more variations you may try in one of your sections. I do not have a template for you. I think it may be fun to sue these as inspiration when designing new designs for your pincushion.

How about sweet peas and a hummingbird? The sweet peas are lazy daisy stitches.


I am not sure I like how I created this queen annes lace, but I love the addition of a little butterfly. I used mainly straight stitches to create the flower.


Here is the poppy flower. It is made with small straight stitches.


Finally, I am showing you my version of hollyhocks. I used a blanket stitch in a circle to create the flowers. You can find the blanket or button hole stitch (same stitch, different name) on my blog on my stitch tutorial page. Mary Corbet's Needle N Thread will walk you through just about any stitch in video form. Find them here.


Good luck. I'll keep working on getting those PDF instructions to you. Hopefully that will happen soon.

I want to wish you all a Very Happy and Creative New Year!
I hope it brings you many new projects and ideas. Lets all create a wonderful new year!

Jill

Summer Garden Pincushion Tutorial, Part 6 and a Bonus Flower

Its time for the final 2 flowers! Here are the instructions for the Hydrangea and Geranium Flowers.
They are quite similar. If you would like a bit more variety, I am also giving you instructions for a Rose section.

Here are the downloadable instructions for all of these flowers. The geranium and hydrangea are together since they are nearly the same in stitches and shape.

Summer Garden Hydrangea and Geranium Instructions
Summer Garden Rose Instructions

Here are a few images to show you how they look. I want you to notice that I did not stick to any specific colors or patterns for each example. I think variety is the spice of life! Go for it.
Hydrangea



Geranium



Roses


Here are today's stitches.
I think you will see that you have used all of them so far in other flowers, so for the hydrangea and geranium you are ready to stitch!




The most common stitch to the hydrangea and geranium flowers are tiny lazy daisy stitches.


You may choose to wrap your stem stitches for the hydrangea, since it is a woody stem in nature. Geraniums are a bit thinner. I kept the leaf pattern vague. I think you should decide how you would like to approach them. I like a simple fly stitch. For larger leaves, I may use a satin stitch and add a second color, one on each side of the leaf.


When you get to the Rose, you may need to learn a new stitch. The Bullion Stitch is so wonderful! I just love it. It has texture, it can be made as short or long as you like. It is really fun to do. Just think of it as an extra long french knot!
I do not have a tutorial up for this stitch on my blog. I am going to send you to see a wonderful and very expert stitching expert, Mary Corbet. She may be responsible for teaching thousands of people how to embroidery. Not only does she teach you how, she shows you in both a picture form and a video form! She also has created The Hand Embroidery Network. Its a wonderful place for stitchers to learn and share their work. She inspired and taught me much of what I know about embroidery. She speaks to both the beginner and the expert. She is so very talented and generous.

Every thing you wanted to learn about Embroidery, is here- Needle N Thread.
Her Videos can also be viewed on U-Tube at her channel- Needle N Thread
Her Stitch videos on her Web Site, Needle N Thread are here.

Here is her Bullion Stitch video tutorial.

Once you have your 6 sections of flowers embroidered, all you have to do it put it all together!
Tutorials for the final steps are on my blog.

First, you should Block your Embroidery. This gets all the stitching nice relaxed. it will lay flatter and any imperfections will seem to disappear.
Find out how to Block your Embroidery Here

Next, follow the Classic Pincushion Tutorial to sew the top and bottom pieces together. Use linen for both. Use green or cream Perle Cotton, Size 5 to tie off each section.
I recommend that you use Emery, but you don't have to. You can learn more about Emery Here.
You can add a bit of lavender to the stuffing for a surprising aromatherapy session each time you use your pincushion.

Finally, create an Embroidered Button. You will find that tutorial here. You can use a standard button if you like. I really think that the embroidered version is perfect for this project!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. I have received so many wonderful comments along the way.
I am so sorry that I did not get all of the patterns up in time for you to give this pincushion for Christmas. I really tried.
Better late than never. Finish your pincushion and give it anyway! I have a feeling the recipient will not be too upset.


Thanks for all of your support and kindness. I love my blog because of you! I love to share my ideas and I am always thrilled to know that you are sharing your talents as well. I am trying to make time to visit your blogs. I have enjoyed getting to know you very much. It is such a joy to be a part of a creative family such as our own!


I'd like to post some of your pincushions. Please send me your images and a bit of info about yourself to my email address, jillverbick@gmail.com. I'd love to see how you are doing!

Happy Stitching!!!

Joy to You Today and Always!

I don't know why, but I completely fell apart this Christmas. It was the most disorganized, discombobulated and all around dizziest of holidays. Whew! I'm not quite sure what happened. I was a crazy year. However after a very lovely day with my amazing boys and their wonderful families and I have come to the conclusion that its all good in the end. Its not about the all the wrappings of the season, its love.

To be so loved and to love so deeply is the greatest gift of all.

I do have to tell you how dreadfully sorry I am to have not finished my pincushion tutorial for you by Christmas. Please accept my most sincere apology. I just don't know what to say. Do know that I really tried. With the new baby coming, my mom's passing and a recent family upheaval, the last few weeks literally left me with not a moment to spare.

I will try to get those last flowers up by this weekend, just in case, you have an understanding gift recipient or a late holiday gift exchange. The final touches are not too hard. In fact, if you go to the Classic Pincushion Tutorial, it will walk you through the final construction of this pincushion.

I would love to extend a holiday discount to you all in my Etsy Shop.
You may take 15% off any Ready To Ship Item from now until December 31st.
Just use the coupon code FiberSanta15.

Here a just a few items you may choose from. You might recognize some of the textiles from a recent post.
Pretty Vintage Doily on Cherry Red Felted Wool

A Round Patchwork Pincushion in fun 1930's reproduction prints.

A Sweet Vintage Embroidery with Red Rick Rack Trim


Here is my newest little Owl Pin Assortment. The owls were so darn cute I just had to give them a special little home.


I wish you all the Happiest of Holidays and a very creative and wonderful New Year!

Summer Garden Pincushion Tutorial Part 4 and 5

I hope you haven't given up on me! My life has been so crazy busy these days. I have been struggling with everything lately. Whew its been a tough year. The good news is that I am going to be a grandma for a second time! The challenge has been that this little one is giving his poor mom a bit of trouble. She is healthy and fine, but poor mom has needed lots of rest. I have been blessed with taking in my 1st grand daughter more than usual. She is the love of my life but her enthusiasm and energy keeps me hopping.

I promise to give you the final flowers in the next week. Here are 2 fun flowers. I put them in every pincushion I make. I also get requests for pincushions with nothing but sunflowers. Here is one of them-


One of my favorite flowers is the daisy. I gave this one a bit of flair. It may be more of a Gerbera Daisy which has so many fun color possibilities. As with all of the flowers in this tutorial, please feel free to mix up your color choices. If you do, I suggest that you do a little test flower on a scrap of linen, just to see how things will look when different colors play together.

You won't have to learn any new stitches this time. We will be using a few old favorites for both flowers.
The Lazy Daisy is the perfect petal stitch. When you add them together, one after another you will be making the Chain Stitch.
That same stitch can take on a new look just be opening up the base of the stitch. That is called an open Lazy Daisy. When the stitches touch at the base, it is called a Closed Lazy Daisy Stitch.

Here is a simple illustration. (please check back for photos)


I think you will find that most of the embroidery you may do involves just a few stitches. The variation comes in how you place them and the size and color you choose.
here are some examples how the Sunflower looks just by changing up the colors.



The daisy is just as easy. (I'm having a bit of a problem getting photos to load. Check back soon to see examples)


If you shrink and simplify the daisy, use a variety of blues, you suddenly have a Forget Me Nots. How fun is that!?!


I love them all! Even the pincushion on top is another variation on the same flower using a different combination of stitches. It can be just that easy.

I have 2 downloadable instruction sheets for you.
Summer Garden Sunny Sunflower Section
Summer Garden Dearest Daisy Pincushion Tutorial

Here are a few larger photos of the sunflower and daisy. Its hard to see each stitch when showing 3 strands of embroidery floss. I've used Perle Cotton in size 5 to show you how I've created these flowers.




I am having a bit of problems getting my photos to load so I am going to end for now. Please check back in a day or so. I hope to have all of the illustrations up soon.

The next post will have our final flowers. In the interest of giving you enough time to get your stitching done, my posts may be a bit more brief than I had hoped. I will be giving you at least 2 more flowers. The last post will include Hydrangeas and Geraniums. They are incredibly close in how they are stitched, so you will find them to be very easy to make. In fact, you know the stitches. If you are impatient, give them a try by looking at the completed pincushion on the top of the page. Use a bit of practice cloth the first time you give them a try. They have such tiny stitches!

I know you would love to have the roses on your pincushion. They involve one last new stitch. I'll be tackling that flower next. The rose involves a bullion stitch center, surrounded by open lazy daisy stitches. They will be easier than you think.
If you are adventurous, there are many rose tutorials on-line using a wide variety of stitches.

I hope you had a very wonderful Thanksgiving. I know that I am very grateful for your support, your kind comments and the creativity we share.
I'll be back soon!