Red Brolly

Wish Quilt- Little Houses Block.

 

         

        I Hope you are all finding the Wish Quilt a lot of Fun to make!

                         We're finishing Block Two this week. 

  Before we go any further- I have a small confession to make.

I didn't check the measurements before putting the last Wish Quilt post up - and ..... there's a teeny, tiny mistake. In page 17!

  If you could change it on the page 17 you have- or print out a new page.

  Here's the page- and I've outlined where the mistake is- and changed it so it now reads correctly.  I've also changed it in the original post.

  The mistake was in the section where we added the borders.

  I wrote:

  "From the beige /white and red print fabric, cut:

       two rectangles 2-1/2" x 10" ".

  This should have been:

  "From the beige/white and red print fabric, cut:

        two rectangles 2-3/4" x 9-1/2" ".

  I'm really sorry if this has caused any inconvenience.

If you've sewn the two borders in place either side of the Santa's Sleigh Block- Yoou'll have to take them off and replace them with two borders that are the correct size.

  If you haven't sewn the borders on yet- please cut them to the correct size before sewing them in place.

  Note: that I've taken down the incorrect page and replaced it with the correct one.

 

 

                                   We are starting with P.18 today...

  To download P.18 as a PDF, click here:

                                      Download P.18Wish Quilt- Houses

 

                                      Download P.19 as a PDF here:

          Download 19 copy.Wish Quilt-Houses

 

 

 

                                        Happy Stitching-

 

                 
   As always- if you have any queries- please contact me at:

                    bronwyn@red-brolly.com.au

{D.I.Y Tutorial} Applique Embroidered Butterfly wall art

Have you noticed how embroidery hoop wall art is becoming very popular? I see is all over the web and think that it's such a wonderful use of embroidery hoops for frames. I decided to come up with a tutorial to make your own embroidery hoop wall art.

Would you like to learn how to make this quick and simple butterfly wall art? It's the last tutorial in my butterfly theme and we'll move onto other things.

I forgot to add PVA glue, or something similar to attach material to wood.

Step 1: Download and print your free Red Brolly PDF butterfy template (you can also click on the image below). Place the template under a sheet of Vliesofix, making sure the paper side of the vliesofix is on top. Using a light box, or holding up to the glass on the window, trace around the butterflies onto the vliesofix. Roughly cut out around shapes.

 
Step 2: Once you have traced around your butterfly onto the vliesofix and have roughly cut out the shape, place vliesofix butterfly onto felt-paper side facing up. With a hot iron, press the vliesofix onto the felt. Carefully cut out around butterfly.

Step 3: Peel off paper from butterfly. Place butterfly shape onto the fabric you are using for the background. I've used some of the gorgeous fabric from the "Bella Butterfly" range by Patty Sloniger. Iron onto the background fabric with a hot iron. Ensure that the "glue" side of the felt is placed facing down onto the background fabric...otherwise you'll end up with a butterfly stuck to the underside of your iron!

  This is what you'll now have. One butterfly shape now glued onto the background fabric.

Now you just need to repeat the above steps with the second, inside wing layer of the butterfly.

Step 4: Next select the colour of felt for the inner wing and repeat the same steps. There are 2 inner wing shapes to choose from. Again, trace around the shape onto vliesofix using a lightbox or window. Roughly cut out shape from vliesofix. Iron shape, paper side up, onto felt. Cut out shape. Peel paper off.

Next, place the inner wing shape on top of the outer wing shape. Make sure they are lined up in the middle of the butterfly. Press into place using a hot iron.

Step 5: Repeat above steps with the body shape of the butterfly.

Once you have the body shape, place the shape in the centre, on top of the inner and outer wings of the butterfly. Make sure the head is placed just to the top of the wings...so the "neck" part matches with the top of the outer wing. When you are sure it is centred, iron into place.

Voila! Finished.....almost. Just the framing left to do, and embroidery...should you wish.

Step 6: Take your butterfly and insert your fabric into the embroidery hoop, so your butterfly is centred. Tighten. Trim a 2cm edge around the hoop.

Step 7: Turn the embroidery hoop over and along the inner rim of the hoop, place a strip of PVA glue (or something similar) along the edge. Take the excess overhang of material and fold over the inner rim, towards the centre. Press down firmly, ensuring it remains taut. Leave to dry.

Once dry, it's ready to hang. You can leave it as it is...or you can add some embroidery to add a something little extra.

Here's what they look like without embroidery.

Here's some examples of different embroidery stitching you can do. I did most of the stitching with 2 strands of thread, except for the stitching on the body and the shading on the wings- where I used a single strand.

Firstly, it looks really nice if you backstitch some antenna.

Here's some alternative stitching on another butterfly...

Or use shading to add extra designs to the wings.

I also thought that some colonial knots would look great too. Now, I know you all know how to do colonial knots since I gave you a tutorial on how to stitch them!

 

The Wish Quilt- Santa's Sleigh.

  Here's the Wish Quilt Block Two- part one- Santa's Sleigh Stitchery Block.

 How I'm doing this quilt is- I'm doing all the Blocks on the the left side of the quilt (we've done all those) and now I'm doing all the blocks on the right side of the quilt.

So- the blocks that are on the left side are- blocks 1,3,5 and on the right side are blocks 2,4,6.

 What you should be doing, is when we've completed a block- put it somewhere safely, keep it clean, and put a label of some sort on the front saying which block the finished pieces belong to.

( A good idea is a plastic bag with all the bits for each block in it).

 

 

 

  To download the above "Where we're up to "page go to:

          Download P.14Wish Quilt- Santa and Sleigh. Block2

 

 

 

To download the above Wish Quilt Page 15, go to:

 

Download P.15Wish Quilt-Block 2

 

To download the above Wish Quilt P.16, go to:

 

Download P.16WISH QUILT copy

 

And to download the above P.17 instructions, go to:

 

Download P.17Wish Quilt-Santa's Sleigh

 

Next week in the Wish Quilt - we'll finish this block, by doing the block with the Little Applique Houses (these are cute!) and appliqueing the Wish Stars that you'll have cut out this week, in place on the block.

Also, we'll start on the next block which will be the first part of Block 4- the stitchery with Santa and the toys!

Next week will be a big and exciting week to look forward to!

 

.. And while you're sitting in a comfortable,hopefully sunny spot, sipping on a cool drink or your favourite cup of tea whilst stitching the Wish Quilt- I thought I'd give you a really nice story to read about.  I often receive lovely e-mails from our friends from all over the world letting me know about their exploits in stitching.

   So here's a couple I'd like to share with you......

 

  Firstly, Aparo Lillo Bosc sent me this gorgeous photo of a quilt she's just finished.  It's the Gingham Girls Block of the Month Quilt. Her sewing is just brilliant!

  And here's a lovely story- of two friends from distant parts of the world meeting up to enjoy their friendship and spend time together with something they both love- stitching.

I'll let Delores tell you her story.....

My friend Sue stitched this example; she lives in Port Townsend, Washington USA.

 

Christmas Sampler

We met at the Oregon coast at the Sylvia Beach Hotel (the book lover’s hotel) with our husbands in July. We spent our time together chatting and stitching while listening to the Pacific Ocean outside the library.

I thought that you might like to see how our samplers turned out.

Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your drawing!

This is my sampler; I live in Stockholm, Sweden but originally come from Oregon. Sue and I met while she and her husband were living in Sweden.
Thank you for the pattern,
Delores

 

 

I just love the idea that a love of stitching can bring women together from all parts of the world to share something we all have in common- "the Ladies Stitching Club".

 

The Winners of the Natalie Bird New Books and French General fabrics Are.....

Sorry for the delay in putting up the winners of the Natalie Bird/ Birdhouse competition.

  I've been madly working on a new project that I think you'll like to go up on the Blog next week.  Keep tuned for that one!

 

  Here's a quick round-up of the Wonderful Natalie Bird and French General Competition prizes.. .

 

 

 -The New Book by Natalie - Tis the Season, with 15 selected French General Fabrics.

  As you know-I just love the colour red- and this little book is full of designs with my favourite colour.

Thirteen Christmas stitcheries you can use to decorate so many things.

Besides the thirteen stitcheries, Nat's also designed some really lovely Christmas projects just in time for you to make for Christmas.

  I love her "Chilly Penguins Bag" and the "Tis the Season Quilt" is just to die for.

 

 

-Red Home- another new book by Natalie, also teamed with 15 selected French General fabrics.

    This book has ten gorgeous red themed projects that you can make to decorate your home.

My personal favourites are the Little House Pincushion and the Red Home Applique Quilt.

 

 

And of course to go with these beautiful books- each winner will receive 15 selected French General Fabrics.

 

 

                                           And who are the two winners?

                         They have both been notified by e-mail.

The winners are:

 

 

 

Congratulations to you both! Your prize will be in the mail as soon as you send you're address details.

 

   Thank-you to everyone that entered the competition.

                       This competition is now closed.

 

    I'm madly working on the Wish Quilt ( I have to re-write it)- and the next section with Santa and the Reindeer Sleigh should be on the Blog later this afternoon or early tomorrow.

                               So keep checking Back.

 

 

A day spent stitching with friends- is a good day!

 

 

A Jubilee Tea Party!

An Invitation to High Tea---  Please Come.

 
An invitation to a High Tea is something to look forward to- but a HIGH Tea- In honour of Queen Elizabeth's sixty years on the throne- now that's something really special.  Also a wonderful break from my two closest allies and partners in crime- the Lightbox and the Computer! ( Sorry guys- but you can't come!)

   So we donned our High Tea Hats, best regal gear, white gloves- and set off last weekend for a trip to the country - to my brother and sister-in-law's house.

  The town where they live is rather idyllic- small country town, large golf courses, heritage buildings set in beautiful old established gardens- very English!

Just right for a very English afternoon tea.



  My sister-inlaw- SJVH, had certainly gone to a lot of trouble. 

  We were greeted at the door by a "Royal" guard- resplendent in uniform.

Lots of British decorations- all the red white and blue was out in force.



  Top left is my brother Peter and next to him my sister-in-law SJVH- who is not only a scrumptious cook, but sews and quilts so beautifully.
Bottom left, in the royal regalia is Jim and Lou- SJVH's sister and brother-in law.




 

Perhaps you would like a  short introduction to the Party People.

You probably know some of them already.

   

 

 

There was so much to eat- cucumber sandwiches, of course - and goodies as far as the eye could see!

  Hmmm- now where to start? That fudge looks rather yummy- why waste time on the savouries- when you can head straight for the goodies?

 

Winnie the Pooh.

 

 

 

          ... And of course there are the toasts- To the Queen- in Latin!

 

And I just have to show you this- SJVH made this specially for the occasion!

                                 Isn't it magnificent?

 

 

               And, yes, I did get stuck in the door trying to leave!

 

 

 

  Coming up next on the Blog:

    Some new  projects.

    Looking for Tea.

    And of course, the next part of the Wish Quilt.

 

 

Chocolate and Large Angels.

 

I have a really delicious, to die for, very special chocolate cookie recipe just for you - to make so you have something really yummy to munch on while you make the next part of the Wish Quilt- the Large Angel Block.

  You really must make these cookies- you won't be able to stop at just      one!

    (Double click on the recipe to open in a new page and print out.)

 

  I thought you might like some red inspiration- just to so you have a few  ideas for fabrics and red combinations.

 

                                    The Wish Quilt- Block Five.

 

For the printable version of page 12- double click on the above page to open a printable document.   

or Download 12 copy as a PDF file

For the printable version of Page 13- Download 13.Wish Quilt- large Angel

 

  While you're busy stitching the Wish Quilt this weekend- I'll be taking some time out to spend with the ducks! I'm off for some Royal Partying.

  Here's some gorgeous views out the back door of the place where we're staying! 

     Here come the ducks!

 

And more ducks!

 

Besieged by ducks.

 

   Here's a lovely little spot- wonderful for a quick row around the lake before breakfast- except the boat has a hole in the bottom.

 

 

 I love this Pagoda. 

You can imagine scenes of a bygone era- the women in long dresses, huge hats,long gloves, exotic feather boas and parasols!

    Picnicking on the lawns to the sounds of gypsy violins!

 

  I've been invited to my sister-in-law's (the infamous SJVH) celebration party for Queen Elizabeth's 60th year on the English throne. There should be lots of cake and cucumber sandwiches and absolutely huge pots of tea!

             I wonder if I should wear white gloves?

 Her sister is making her famous, extremely yummy  Cherry Cake.

 

                    I think we will be very amused!

           I've been practising my Royal Wave for weeks.

 

                                    Have a lovely weekend.

 

 

For a Spanish translation of the Wish Quilt- please click on the links below to go to Lorena's Blog.

  http://my-wayof.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-wish-quilt.html

And for each pdf -Lorena has very kindly translated the instructions for the blocks:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3UAX5QGnvNKYVVQZzRCUnhQOEE/edit#
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3UAX5QGnvNKV01YWkNDY1BEMjg/edit#
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3UAX5QGnvNKTWZ2N0c3UXplcXM/edit#

 

The Birdhouse Competition.

         I'd just like to clarify the Competition for everyone.

  I've had a great deal of trouble with the previous post as it keeps crashing.

I had to delete a lot of the photos. To get it to post. So here's the competition.

 

 

15 French General Fat Quarters.

 

  You have a chance to win one of Natalie Bird's new books either-

 1. Tis the Season- a book of 13 Christmas stitchings with  a bundle of 15 French General fat quarters, or

 2. Red Home- a book of ten red themed sewing/stitching/ applique projects and a bundle of 15 French  General fabrics.

 

1. Natalie Bird's "Tis the Season" book and 15 French General fabrics.

 

 

 

2. Natalie Bird's Red Home book and 15 French General fabrics.

 

  All you have to do is leave a comment on the post about Natalie.

The winners will be chosen at random and notified on the blog.

Anyone can enter- I'll post the prizes to anywhere in the world.

              Competition closes next Thursday 23. August. 2012.

 

          Also, the Birmingham Quilt Show opens today in England.

If you're going, please call by stand G26 and say "Hi" to Kim at the Fat                                            Quarter Shop.  

                                 Kim has all my patterns.

The Birdhouse.

.....especially if I have a comfy chair and some sewing to do as well.

  So, when I saw that Natalie Bird of the Birdhouse had two new books - totally dedicated to two of my favourite things- redwork and stitching- I had to grab a copy of each and avidly devour them from cover to cover!

 

             You can find Natalie at www.thebirdhouse.com.au

 

I was able to catch up with Natalie for a quick cup of tea and a chat last week.

  Nat's life is full of designing, drawing, creating and sewing- all focused  around fabric- so I had to ask:

 If you were a piece of fabric, Nat, what would you look like?

If I were a piece of fabric, I would be pale duck egg blue (my favourite colour), with tiny flying birds of course,and love hearts (because my heart is content when I'm sewing).

 

Here's the Natalie Bird fabric I designed- using Nat's little birds.

My favourite food is Thai food, definitely Green Chicken Curry. I have it almost every Friday night.

  I know Nat likes to read whenever she get the chance, so I wondered who her favourite character was.

If I were a character in a novel, I would be Bridget Jones. I see so much of myself in her!

  I think most of us have something in common with Bridget Jones!

My favourite TV programs are Downton Abbey,  So You Think You Can Dance, The Voice Australia and Mrs Brown’s Boys (not sure if I should admit to that!)

 

Thread and Ginger store.

  I know Nat recently closed her very successful bricks and mortar store "Thread and Ginger", so she could have more time to pursue the things she loved doing. So, now that the store has closed - does she have any travel plans?

If I could go anywhere in the world, without question, it would be France and Italy, for the food, the scenery, the antiques and the accents. I would love to take my husband, and my eldest daughter wants to visit Venice more than anything.

 

 Here are some examples of Nat's beautiful designs from her latest books- the ones she sews while watching "Downtown Abbey" or "Mrs. Brown's Boys" and eating green Thai curry!

 

Natalie's beautiful designs.

  Here's some more examples for you to drool over, from some of Nat's other projects (not in the new books).

 

Christmas Stitchery by Natalie Bird.

 

 

Natalie Bird's "Fairyland " book.

 

If you keep a green bough in your heart, the singing bird will come.

                   Let's have a quick peek at her latest book- "Red Home":

 

Natalie Bird's latest book.

 48 Gorgeous pages jam-packed with really lovely projects- the applique quilt on the front of the book, churn dash quilt, bag, pincushion,table centre, cushion and more.

  ..And here's Nat's latest Christmas book- at a  terrific size- so handy for slipping into a handbag and stitching wherever you go-

                                                          "Tis the Season".

 

  13 gorgeous redwork Christmas stitcheries to make into cushions, quilts bags- whatever you can think of.

If you start stitching now- you can cover the walls of your home with redwork stitcheries for a wonderful extra Christmassy look!

 

"Tis the Season" by Natalie Bird.

Natalie has very kindly donated one of each of her two new books for this fabulous competition.

I've added 15 fat quarters to each of the books-in the colours Natalie has used in her new books.

 

15 gorgeous French General fabrics to win.

 

Two French General bundles of fabrics to win.

                                            Two prizes-

1.Nat's "Tis the Season" with one fat quarter bundle of 15 fabulous French General fabrics and

2. Nat's "Red Home" with one fat quarter bundle of 15 fabulous French General fabrics.

   All you have to do is leave a comment below.

 

 

                                                     Best of luck to you all!

{Tutorial} Ready, Set, Sew :: How to stitch perfect satin stitches

I've been receiving alot of comments from people that they can't or don't like Satin Stitch. Many people have told me that they try and avoid doing it and can't seem to get a nice, neat stitch. So since satin stitch features in ALOT of stitcheries and emboidery work, I thought that I would give a quick tutorial on how to do satin stitch.

Again, I've enlisted the help of the ever so willing (cough, cough) Brutus- my cat. He more just "offered" advice from his favourite position at the moment- sitting on top of my in-floor heater vent! Anyway, here we go...once you get the hang of satin stitch, it really isn't that difficult at all.

There's two different methods to satin stitch, depending on the shape you are stitch- straight or irregular. I'll show you the steps for sating stitching a regular, straight stitch- like a wall or pillar or the like. Then, I'll show you how to satin stitch an irregular shape.

Firstly mark out your design. For the purpose of the photos I used a dark, lead pencil, just so you can see in the photos.

Yes, Brutus is right, if you would like nice, neat and straight stitches- use an embroidery hoop. Also, stitch with a "stabbing" technique. This is where you push the needle and thread all the way through to the back of the fabric and then pull it all the way back through again from the back to the front. Some stitches allow you to do a "skimming" stitch, where you can go out and in and out and in all in one motion- completing several stitches in one go. For best results- don't stitch satin stitch this way.

So, once you've marked out your design...this next step is a must! Stitch around the design with back stitch FIRST.

Repeat on the other side.

Now you're ready to fill in your shape. 

Make a knot at the back of the fabric and bring your needle and thread through to the front at one end of the shape, just on the outside edge of the backstitch. Pull your thread all the way through to the front.

Next,take your needle over to the outside edge of the opposite side of the shape. Insert your needle, and pull through to the back of the fabric. Several tips are, ensure that your needle is placed exactly opposite of where you brought it through to the front- this will make sure that the stitch is straight. Secondly, satin stitch shouldn't be sewn using long stitches as this will make the finished shape look untidy.

 


Great you've finished one stitch. See how the stitch completely covers the line? Once you've completed one stitch, bring your needle through to the front again- very close to the first position you started at. Pull your thread through. Again, repeat the stitch by bringing the needle over to the opposite side, next to the second position and push your needle through to the back. And...yes, Brutus...thank you for the tip. Keep your stitches close together.

Keep stitching until you've completly filled in your shape.

But what if you're stitching an irregular shape I hear you ask? No problem! Here's the trick...

So say you had to stitch a shape like a heart, or a flower, or a bird...

Trace your shape onto the fabric.

Backstitch around your shape, carefully following your shape.

NOW...here's THE tip...for irregular shapes, start your stitch in the middle of the shape.

Stitch to one end, THEN, come back to the centre and stitch your way out to the other end.

Fill one side, now come back to the centre again and fill the second half. This will make sure all your
stitches are even and your shape doesn't get distorted and all scrunched....we've all had this happen haven't we?

 

Then we've had to unpick and start again...! 

 

 

Thanks Brutus, you can stop "offering" your advice now! Telling tales....no sardines on toast for you tonight...

Next time you come across satin stitch, please give it ago and don't be so afraid of it.

 

...Brutus!!! Come here you despicable cat....!

The Wishing Angel Stitchery.

  Here it is!  The Wishing Angel!

But first I'd just like to show you a completed first Block by Michele Marll.

"I love wool felt, so decided to use a red wool in place of the red solid fabric.  The centers of my hearts and reindeer are all wool felt."

 

 

Here's a link to Michele's Blog for more of her Wish Quilt photos.

http://xstitchalley.blogspot.com/

 

Download the file for the Wishing Angel here.... Download P.11Wish Quilt-B3- Small Angel copy