Mabel's WIPs

[Cecilia]

Lovely work. I think your finishes are great.

[Like_Fine_VVine]

[tiffstitch]

Great finish on "Prayer", and I like it's current spot! I really like your coaster work. One of these days I have to try some of those variegated threads! Can I ask where you get your coasters from? I'm debating between a few places on where to order them.

[Nachstenliebe]

Lovely coaster.. The colors are great for fall
Faith

[karen4bells]

Love the design and your choice of threads for the coaster!! Very nice

[Mabel Figworthy]

tiffstitch, the coasters are like the one Framecraft sells at about £2 each (I like the nicely rounded corneres) except I get them from Blank Plastic at £5.25 for 10 (plus postage). Really good value, good service and they do nice keyrings etc as well!

[tiffstitch]

tiffstitch, the coasters are like the one Framecraft sells at about £2 each (I like the nicely rounded corneres) except I get them from Blank Plastic at £5.25 for 10 (plus postage). Really good value, good service and they do nice keyrings etc as well!

Wow, good deal! I've been able to pick up some of the small hexagon ones at Michael's for $3 each, but they only ever have 2 or 3 in stock. Finding some online would be helpful! And I prefer the square shape. Thank you!

[Mabel Figworthy]

I'm getting designs ready for the next course and one of the things we'll be doing is miniature stitching (over one). I had to find something copyright free but in the end decided to design one myself, and this is what I came up with:



I decided to stitch a model on both 25ct and 28ct, and give the students a choice of which they wanted to do. Then I realised I was still looking for a Christmas present for MIL, and I had a tiny frame for a picture, so why not do another one for her? I measured the frame and worked out that it would need to be done on 40ct to fit, so here they are, all with the same match beside them (the smallest one is in tent stitch).

25ct:



28ct:



40ct:



You will notice that the initials and date are different on the last one -- as it is a period dolls house I opted for 1837 Victoria Regina, Queen Victoria's coronation year . I hope to frame it some time in the next few days and will post a pic of the finished article!

[Nachstenliebe]

That's a cute design you stitched up! Three times! It really shows the difference in scale... that match looks huge in the last pic
Faith

[kell]

Your miniatures never cease to amaze me! Gorgeous, as ever.

[XandraS]

Gorgeous Mabel, love the coaster and your miniatures are amazing

[maggs]

The minitures are great Mabel

[Rose]

Wonderful work of course. THat 40 count just amazes me and I know it is not the smallest you have done!!!!

[ali-cat]

Stunning stitching!!

Oh, can you please tell me where you buy your foot long matches?

[Serinde]

[Slinky]

Oh, can you please tell me where you buy your foot long matches?

Lovely stitching Mabel. Think you have done a sterling job with the 'Wireless' hanger.

[Like_Fine_VVine]

[Bee26]

Hi Mabel

This may be a stupid question, but how do you make cross stitch coasters? what do you have to do?

Many thanks

[Mabel Figworthy]

As I was told when I first asked questions on a forum, "the only stupid question is the one you don't ask"

So. Coasters. Well, there are several ways, but the simplest is to buy a craft coaster which consists of two parts, the clear plastic top and an insert. I get mine from Blank Plastic (80p each including postage if you buy ten, less than 70p if you buy twenty) and they are really easy to put together.

OK, you've got your coaster. Now measure the size of the gap that will hold your stitching, and work out how big the design needs to be. So for example if the coaster's recess is 3-1/2" and you work on 14ct fabric, the piece of fabric (once it is cut to size) will be 3-1/2 x 14 = 49 stitches long and wide, and your design should leave a bit of a border, so you could stitch anything up to about 40 stitches square.

When you've stitched your design, iron some Vilene (iron-on interfacing) on the back to stiffen it and keep it from fraying. Turn your stitching upside down and put the coaster's insert on top -- you should be able to see enough through the Vilene to position it the way you want it. Now draw around the insert with a pencil onto the Vilene, cut out the design just inside those pencil lines, pop it into the coaster (make sure it's right side up, because once you've snapped the coaster close it's nearly impossible to open it again without damaging it) and snap the backing into place. Voila, one coaster

The same goes for circular and hexagonal coasters except of course you'll need to make sure the design you stitch is of a shape to fit the coaster's shape.

A completely different way is to hem the fabric you're stitching on (e.g. with four-sided edging) and simply use it as it is -- I have also used PVC glue to make a fabric coaster water-resistant which works reasonably well though they tend to go a bit sticky when they get hot. Ready-made craft coasters are much the easiest option!

Good luck, and do show us when you've had a go!

[agi]

Great work, as always, Mabel.
I especially love the Prayer hanger - but I was amazed that you said you had no cord at home. In your huge stash??? Also, you can make your own cord, can't you? It's the simplest thing on earth.