Modern Folk Embroidery
Showing posts with label Modern Folk Embroidery. Show all posts
A year in the making : The fruits of plenty
It took a year...
How it started...
How it's going...
Done!
It's not often I complete something in a year, my work in progress pile can attest to that! This stitch-a-long is the third one I've completed from Modern Folk Embroidery, obviously I highly recommend his patterns and this was a joy to stitch. It was lovely receiving the next part of the pattern each month and I've really enjoying seeing all the other versions as they've been stitched on instagram #MFESAL2021, so many interesting colour combinations. The pattern is The Fruits of Plenty. Also see my previous stitchings, Love Thy Neighbour - better pictures in progress here and Kindness & Fortitude - shows how different patterns can look depending on your choices.
This was the final part for the month of December, it was a little sad putting in those last stitches because it meant it was over but I'm so pleased with the finish.
My favourite floss is Aurifloss and I chose to use a peach and a terracota -ish colour for my project. The colours are Peach #2215 and Pumpkin Spice #2395. I stitched 2 over 2 on 32 count Belfast Linen in the colour Linen Pink - a pretty pale pink that is a nice warm background for the floss.
When I started stitching I used a Q-snap frame and a grime guard I made (details in this post) and while I do like working with a hoop or frame, I then discovered the sewing method and stitching in hand, from the lovely Kimberly and The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch. If you haven't tried it I would encourage you to watch their tutorial video, as it shows a couple of different options and plenty of tips. I believe this is how Jacob of Modern Folk Embroidery prefers to stitch too, so I'm in great company!
I do like using beeswax for conditioning the thread, it's not essential but it does smooth the floss and makes stitching (especially on linen) a little easier. I got the beeswax in the above picture from a local beekeeper, if you don't have a local source then there are some lovely sellers on Etsy, like Cobble and Hive.
In so many ways it is hard to believe a year has passed but then time has warped even more in the past couple of years, it feels like a lot of time has been lost. I recommend a stitch-a-long as a marker for time if you need one!! This was the half way point...
I now realise I don't have pictures of the back but trust me I got messier as I went along ;) I did start with good intentions and tried to keep the back as neat as possible but ultimately I don't really care what the back looks like and it can get frustrating. I would much prefer to stitch as I please and enjoy the process rather than care about the backside.
The pattern called for initials but rather than just add my own, I added my husband, myself and the first initials of our three children. I love it.
And just like that... 34613 crosses later, the pattern is complete.
This coming year I would like to get all my complete cross stitch projects framed and I very much look forward to having this beauty on display. Having said that before about previous pieces, I really need to make this happen!
Love Thy...
neighbour X work in progress X cross stitch X Aurifloss
My current cross stitch project for the year is coming along well, there's been a little bit of unpicking but that is most often the result of late night stitching. The pattern is Love Thy Neighbour by Modern Folk Embroidery and I started stitching it as part of Jacob's Summer Stitch A Long. Summer may be nearly over but I am in no rush to finish. The original pattern is stitched in one colour but like my last finished cross stitch I enjoy making it my own and mixing it up.
I'm enjoying stitching this motif by motif, choosing the colours as I go. I didn't pick a full colour palette before starting and have added in colours when needed. The overall vibe is happy colours, a mix of bright and pastels, and despite the rainbow layout of floss below, the colour pairings/groupings for each motif are intentionally not too matchy matchy. I really like a bolder, more mismatched style. I keep thinking 60/70s, a happy hippy Clothkits look.
top row #: 1103, 4020, 2530, 2425, 2435, 2220, 2150, 1135, 2606
bottom row #: 2880, 2888, 2860, 2835, 1148, 5006, 2805, 2815, 2021
Not shown above is the Very Dark Navy used for the text and focal frame, it is #2785.
I really like how the dark pops but your eye is still drawn around the piece. Still a way to go but here is my progress so far - and please excuse the wrinkles but this is a work in progress and my iron only comes out when absolutely necessary...
kindness & fortitude
Last year I chose a cross stitch pattern to work on throughout the year. This was started in January 2019 and finished in December 2019 (only just got round to properly blogging about it), 15605 crosses in total. Of course I worked on other things too during that time but it was lovely to have this project to pick up in between. It was serendipity because my word for 2019 was fortitude. Obviously it wasn't just the title of the pattern that drew me to it, it is full of beautiful Quaker motifs inspired by antique samplers. There is a delicacy to the unique design, a modern look to some of the geometric elements and some that remind me of quilts. The pattern is Kindness & Fortitude by Modern Folk Embroidery.
In a change from my usual style I went for a much more muted, calm palette of colours. I chose threads that were peachy/pink and then a variety of greens, mustard, browns and neutrals. It has a very natural vibe, which is what I wanted. Simple, pretty and serene.
a day (off) in the life...
This is one of those random posts about good stuff and things I like. A little bit of what's been going on and sharing a day off + day out I had with my husband recently.
Still busy and still teaching! This beautiful vintage Jones, zig zag machine was brought to class and while we did have a bit of trouble because of the position of the needle and feed for a 1/4" seam, it did power through some piecing. A lovely machine, just look at that wooden base unit.
Also a fine vintage, my Nan turned 101 last month. Here she is with her youngest great-grandson. She was in good form, singing Happy Birthday to ME when we all sang to her. She ate some cake and fussed over the kids. Possibly because my Grandad had a lovely head, I don't know, but she always comments on Fred's head - she says he has a good shaped head! We all had a nice time celebrating a special day.
With three rapidly growing children, work, general household chores and all the sewing, it is rare for me to have a day off. My husband and I decided to spend a day off together while the kids were at school, something we will definitely do again. We dropped them off at school and then decided to walk into Manchester city centre, grabbing a coffee on the way. Even on our first date we ended up walking and talking, it's one of my favourite things. So we strolled along and found our way to Whitworth Park, it was just before the art gallery opened so we hung out spotting the parakeets.
stitching progress + epp giveaway!
**Giveaway now closed**
Those quiet moments in the evening, a few stitches on my lunch break, this pick up and put down project is slowly coming to life. It is a soothing, mindful way to relax and all the colours together look very peaceful and calming to me.
I knew that the Kindness & Fortitude: A Quaker Sampler from Modern Folk Embroidery was going to be the first project I started in 2019. It was no coincidence that my word for the year is FORTITUDE, I did chose this pattern partly for that reason but also because it appealed to me and there is that Quaker connection.
start off stashing
Today I'm sharing a monthly sewing themed treat and my new favourite custom thread organiser!
How brilliant are these stickers?!
Part of the latest Signs of the Sewdiac subscription box from Sew Crafty, which has now ended but you can still snap up some of the goodies from the range in Samantha's Etsy shop. I'm not a knitter but still appreciate the design of this month's box 'The Knitting'.
And although I will probably pass the pin on to my knitting mum, these two products made me do a happy dance...
handmade : play : prepare
Creativity has been on my mind recently. The role it plays it my life, the way I use it... or sometimes chose to ignore it. How different types of sewing/crafting affect me. Wondering "what do I get from creating/sewing/hand stitching?" and "is it (the act of making/the product) meaningful?".
My mind fills up with these types of questions and I try to unpick how I'm feeling, to work through some things and get to a place of inspiration, motivation and satisfaction.
One of the best things to do when I'm in that state of mind is to follow Cheryl Arkison's Morning Make practice. To create something just for the process. It doesn't have to be a finish because it's the play that is important.
I had some neon pink jersey fabric (not sure why) and these beads, both from ebay and decided to make a key ring for myself. I had seen this key holder by Ina Seifart and thought I'd make my own version. A bit more rock and roll.
It was really calming; threading beads, knotting and creating.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)