This week everything I embroidered had the Chevron Stitch on it! I would like to add more detail to the stitching on my Christmas wallhanging blocks but I think it would be better to wait until I have all 9 done with the basic weekly stitch first. I don't want to raise the bar too high on one black and then be stuck doing the same for the other blocks. I am reminding myself this is a wallhanging that will be on display 2 weeks at most.
I can see this stitching is not nearly as bold and dramatic as I want it to be--which leads me to think I will be doing some layering with other stitches.
I started working on the smaller of the 4 CQ pillows I have planned for the living room. I love the look of the herringbone combined with the chevron and lazy daisy. This makes a statement!
I could buttonhole stitch elements to cloth all day long. Maybe I should do that with a CQ one of these days! This bouquet was harvested from a thrifted linen dress. I am hoarding every single bouquet!
I can see this stitching is not nearly as bold and dramatic as I want it to be--which leads me to think I will be doing some layering with other stitches.
I started working on the smaller of the 4 CQ pillows I have planned for the living room. I love the look of the herringbone combined with the chevron and lazy daisy. This makes a statement!
I could buttonhole stitch elements to cloth all day long. Maybe I should do that with a CQ one of these days! This bouquet was harvested from a thrifted linen dress. I am hoarding every single bouquet!
I like having tidbits from my life and from my friends in my work. The bottom trim has been in my stash close to 30 years. The trim across the top came from Angela recently. I have some button clusters planned for the bouquet and a small arch across the top. I am resisting stitching in the checks. I have to draw the line somewhere. My new question is: "Will doing XYZ significantly add to the value of the project?" Not surprisingly, the answer is sometimes a resounding No! Next week I'll show the finished pillow (25").
I'll be gone all day but will check in later in the day.
20 comments:
Your block centerpiece is so beautiful and makes a nice statement with your fabric choices. I'm loving the rich reds! As a personal observation, as I'm looking at the second photo the stitching between the plaid and the leaf pattern appears to blend in and gets lost. A brighter, more contrasting thread might give you the 'pop' you are looking for and eliminate the need to layer your stitching on all blocks. I really like the seam treatment on your pillow! I agree those three stitches work great together. I may 'borrow' that one ;-] The pillow block is awesome. I'm a little lost though...are you doing both for CQJP?
I'm stitching the sewing themed journal book as my official CQJP project (from my beginner's group). Here's my blog post. The Christmas wallhanging and these CQ pillows are 2 projects I am working on with the various TAST stitches. I'm just treating them as WIP.
I decided that whatever I was hand embroidering at the time would get the weekly TAST stitch. The Christmas wallhanging doesn't have any CQ blocks and the pillows are the panels on my Beautiful Garden that got nixed when I decided to rework that idea.
That explains it ~ lol. You have so many things going on I don't know how you keep them all straight. I'm having enough trouble with mine. I need some of what you are eating for energy!
I know the stitching on the top block isn't dramatic in a way that stands up and screams, "Look at me!" Yet I find myself liking the subtlety of it very much. The pillow is just beautiful, and that piece of the dress is perfect under the bird. I would be hoarding those pieces, too, because it adds so much to the design. I can hardly wait to see it with buttons, and to see what you mean by an arch of buttons - see if it matches the vision the phrase put in my head. =) Great chevron seams - I agree, that's a good combination.
I love the way the cardinal is framed. I like going through my stash of "stuff" to find a home for all those homeless, but still cherished bits and pieces and find it so much fun to see what little treasures others include! No matter how long they have to wait to find the perfect setting....
I like it all! I think having another contrasting colour on the outside of the tree decoration might take the focus from your lovely machine embroidery. Right now the colour blends into the background, but to my eye, still adds the look of layers and texture, but allows the center to really sing.
I love the cardinal piece and the fabrics you've used are rich and beautiful.
This is probably the most projects I've had going at once--it's making me a bit crazy too.
I am trying so hard not to get carried away with embellishing these pillows!
Some of my treasures are getting impatient. I decided this is the year to enjoy my treasures on my things. So, I am working on some projects where I can put them and use them.
CQ is so individual, isn't it? We'll have to wait and see!
I have discovered that not all stitches have to be 'center-stage'. Some need to be supporting artists to make the 'show' complete. (Haha, what a weird analogy).
I love all your uses of Chevron Debra. You've had a very good week by the look of things.
Looks like you got your mojo back this week. Nice work all around.
No complaints this week!
Thanks, Angela! Dipped right into the trims you gave me too. I didn't even put them in the walk-up to simmer--figured they had a purpose now!
BTW Debra, I do like your block and think it looks great as is. You had mentioned the stitching wasn't as bold as you would like and that is why I threw in the idea.
I have been thinking that with 9 blocks & 1 stitch per block, I would run out of wallhanging before the year is out. I do plan to make bands to cover the seams between the blocks and that will give me more stitching space for the weekly stitches.
BUT, just a few minutes ago, it dawned on me that I could go back to the blocks for a second round of stitching over the first round of stitching with that week's new stitch. So it would force me to combine stitches. It's something I am very interested in doing & developing a set of "go to" seam combinations. So, now I feel like the wallhanging will last much longer as a practice piece and will have bolder seam treatments.
That's my story today--always subject to change! Ha!
Wow, you've been busy... I really like the new direction you're taking and I agree that one can always go back and revisit a seam to get the right look. Sometimes ya just gotta let things percolate.
Debra, I love the first photo, I think that stitch is perfect for the outline. But I do understand about bumping up the contrast some for show. Your pillows are the greatest... you have such an eye for putting different components togeher that I would never dream of. I know you're the queen of broderie perse too... love love love it. :) Don't thnk you can overdo the stitching on these though, especially knowing you.
Thanks for the ideas you share, I think we're all helping eachother that way by stretching our minds.
BTW. The trim you had and the trim Angela sent look like they're sisters... perfect with each other.
Those are gorgeous black-and-white trims, and a great addition to your block! I love your chevron + herringbone + daisy stitch combo!
Thank you, the combo stitch reminded me that I like working the combinations but I need to take the time and get into them. Rushing on Friday afternoon to stitch is not going to make many combinations!
Thanks, Jane! I'm kind of working it as I go! Everything, every day is like a new adventure.
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