sewtakeahike

vintage embroidery: the saral paper way

It's no secret I love Saral paper.  I've used several times, including these two projects. 

This time, I wanted to do a little embroidery.

 

 

This project completely took me by surprise.  I had intended on embroidering one towel. But after finishing the first flour sack towel, I felt compelled to do another, and then another!  So now I'm thinking I'll go ahead and do my last two dish towels as well. 

For the embroidery patterns, I wanted to do something a little different.  So I found some images of vintage signs to trace.  You can find loads of vintage sign images here.  I also came across doe-c-doe's website (I ad libbed one of her patterns for the salt and pepper shakers), she has so many cute patterns!   

So today, I'd like to walk you through a brief "how-to make an embroidery pattern" from an image you love. 

What you will need:

• embroidery thread (I used Lecien Cosmo samples that they sent to me a while back.  It's amazingly silky and has a wonderful sheen to it!)
• embroidery hoop
• image you love
• tracing stylus
• saral paper
• fabric to embroider image onto

 

 (Bob's cafe photo found here)

 

To make your pattern, layer your fabric right side up (once again, I used flour sack towels that I dry dishes with), saral paper right side down, and the image you're tracing right side up.  Then use the stylus to trace around the parts of the image you'd like to embroider.

 

 

 

Now place your hoop around the image, and embroider. 

It's that simple!

 

 

 

If you decide to use this technique on an image that's special to you, I'd love to see it!  Please add it to my flickr group here!

Happy Monday to you!

xo,

Penny

autumn sky

Granny quilts have been going around for a bit and until now, I've been sitting on the sidelines knowing that eventually I'd get to it.

When the fine folks at Connecting Threads contacted me about doing a project with their Maple Skies line, I got super excited to do my granny quilt.  It's actually a "great granny", and I'm calling it "autumn sky".

 

 

I decided on 4.5" squares and used 2.5" sashing in between the blocks and 4" sashing around the edges.

 

It ended up at 62"X83". 

 

A couple of tips if you decide to make a granny or "great granny":

• sew all the squares for each block together before pressing.
• When sewing the rows of squares together, use fork pins, they really work to keep the seams put so you get perfect seam matches.

 

 

xo,

Penny

Zakka Style Sew-Along: belated

I didn't break any speed records getting my Zakka Style Sew-Along project finished.  However, I did finish it before the sew-along ended, so I'm happy about that.

 

I had no fear when I couldn't complete it on time though, because Lindsey had my back.

 

The Patchwork Potholder is by Kim at Retro Mama and is in the book Zakka Style.  Kim's correction post for the pattern is here.

I didn't follow the pattern to piece the front, but just kind of did my own thing (and I forgot to do any quilting on it at all!)

 

I used some brown linen and a new Connecting Threads fabric called Hello Sunshine.  Isn't it so bright and cheery???!  It makes me smile!

 

Which, by the way, I did a retro-active giveaway for one of these fq bundles.  Meaning, I chose a winner for it from the comments that were left on one of my last three posts and the winner is:  Suzanne!!  Yay!  I'll email you to get your mailing info Suzanne.

 

 

Alrighty!  I hope you had a great Labor day weekend!

xo,

Penny

 

Winners!

 

 

Before I announce the winners, I have to show you a new quilt I finished yesterday (just the top is in the photo) called "First".  It's made with several of connecting threads blue and green solids.  Sometime in the near future, I'll be giving away a kit to a lucky winner to make your very own First!

 

Now on to the winners!

210-  Joy! who wins the Technicolor Tidings fat quarter set

Who said, "I would have to say 1. technicolor tidings 2. Circle of Love 3. Sweet St. Nick and 4. Maple Skies. I also like Connecting Threads. Thanks for the giveaway

91- Ramanda Nash!  who wins the Maple Skies fat quarter set

Who said, "1. Technicolor Tidings  2. Maple Skies
3. Sweet St. Nick  4. Circle of Family  I love Connecting Threads! They fit my budget!

54-  Norine!  Who wins the Circle of Family fat quarter set

Who said, "I am so excited! I love Connecting Threads! I love all of them, but here are
my favorites in order:
Technicolor Tidings, Circle of Family, Maple Skies,
Sweet St. Nick.Blessings to your Mom and your family.

146-  Jenn!  Who wins the Sweet St. Nick fat quarter set

Who said, "1. Maple Skies 2. Technicolor 3. Circle of Family 4. Sweet St. Nick Thanks for the chance!!

 

Winners, please email me {sewtakeahike} {@} {gmail.com} with your mailing addresses!!

 

One last thing!  Kerry and I have two new pattern sets we'd like to introduce to you at Sew-Ichigo!

Button It by me!, and Rainbow Rack of Spools by Kerry! (isn't it lovely???)

 

You can purchase each set separately, or together at at discounted rate here!

 

And here's a little project I made using Ayumi's basket tutorial.  I"ll be posting a tutorial on how to modify her pattern to include the buttons and spools on sew-ichigo very soon!

 

 

 

Happy Mother's day from me and Southern Fabric!

Happy happy happy Mother's day to all you moms! 

Whether you've given birth or not, I believe every single woman out there is a mom to many, either spiritually, with the encouragement you give, and through the Wisdom you share. 

And as a little thank you to all you mom's (cause I know if you read my blog you're a mom (or dad!) that loves fabric), our new sponsor, Southern Fabric, is offering a discount to you!

Aubrey, the owner, has been in business for over 7
years and has sold over 75 thousand items to happy customers
worldwide.

She is offering 10% off of your whole order...
just enter newshopper10 at checkout!

 

And a little eye candy, another bag I made this weekend....

 

and the other side....

 

Once again, I wish you a mother's day filled with joy!

~Penny