Jo's Stitching 2024

[Steam.Jo]

This piece has got to the stage that I can make out what each bit is:



Hopefully you will have recognised the ferns in the background. In front of these just appearing are some Lady Slipper Orchids and violets.

Jo

[Mabel Figworthy]

Lovely textural variation!

[Steam.Jo]

Thank you Mabel,

The Woodland Fairy is not as "easy" to do as the Four Seasons as the inner of the two outside borders/frames is so broken up by the over flowing flower leaves leaves:



The Gold thread is the start of the inner frame.

Jo

[Mabel Figworthy]

So a lot of concentration needed then!
Are the pink flowers tulips?

[Steam.Jo]

The Pink flowers are Lady Slipper orchids and the blue ones are violets. They will both be clearer once I do the backstitching.

Between the two borders is another type of flower but I have no idea what they are supposed to be.

Jo

[Steam.Jo]

I've stitched out to the start of the outer border:



I had a bit of confusion with the backstitching colours: the outer leaves/flowers is supposed to be a darker than the inner leaves. Having discovered I was using the wrong colour within the inner border I had the joys of needing to do some

Progress this week has been slow as I am trying to learn quilting. My initial learning choice has been to cut squares from a sheet and stitch the pieces back together again with my sewing machines. I can see why people like using the little singer featherweight Then I have started something a bit trickier a quilting kit with some applique from America "Beary Patch":



So far I have pieced together the back. This involved a lot of ironing (I am sure I did not want to do Ironing as a hobby )

Now I am learning how difficult it is to fold under the seams on the bits I want to attach. One of the books I have suggests just ironing (yes that again again) on fusible web and let that stop the edges fraying. That is the next job on this instructional piece, before I can start trying any actual quilting ... if it all goes horribly wrong I won't care as I might actually learn something (other than I don't like ironing)

Jo

[Steam.Jo]

I finished making the Beary Patch:



I learnt many different techniques making this which was fun. I was not sure what I would use this for It is currently being used as a table runner under the box I have with all my threads for my Fairy:



I have deviated and am heading down the wing as I have to be in the mood for the retentiveness of the border.

Jo

[Serinde]

Berry Patch bear is adorable. (But I'm a sucker for teds.)

Yes, I understand why a border would help!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Your bear is lovely - almost tempting me into patchwork as our grandson is called Teddy

[Steam.Jo]

A bit more side tracking:



I think I have sussed the appliqué (use paper backed iron on fabric glue ) , more practise is required on the binding...

Jo

[Serinde]

Looks really neat. Good thing you like all that ironing and (presumably) buttonhole stitch! ( )

[Steam.Jo]

Thank you Serinde

I've been working on my Fairy's wing:



With top of the wing in position it won't matter if I miss count on the background between the wings as it is just foliage

Jo

[Nicola Main]

It's looking wonderful Jo! Such a lot of detail in it xxx

[Mabel Figworthy]

Foliage is random, right?! She's coming on really well

[Steam.Jo]

Thank you Mabel,

I have been doing a bit of stitching this week but the weather has got rather warm and there is lots of gardening to do. This is where my Woodland Fairy is this evening:



Once I have filled in the foliage between her wings I plan to go down the right side. It would be nice to be able to put the inner frame in place but it is broken up by the vine in so many places it would be too easy to go wrong

Jo

[Serinde]

You definitely don't want to take the chance on getting in a muddle with this tricksy piece!

[Steam.Jo]

This piece is proving to be much slower to do than the four season fairies.



That horizontal tacking line is the centre of this piece so I am guessing I am about 1/4 of the way there

Jo

[Roland]

It is so beautiful and neatly stitched. I love the textured look with half stitches

[Mabel Figworthy]

Well, there is a LOT of stitching to do on this piece so not suprising it's taking some time - but it's looking beautiful!

[Serinde]

Agree with Mabel. This is a complicated design by the mistress of complicated designs. Slower perhaps, but well worth it.