Sunday 28 April 2013

Freestyle machine embroidery

Greetings friends. I've been as busy as a bee since I last popped in to say hello. My sewing room has been a hive of activity whilst I created little bags and pencil cases to pop into a new Etsy shop I opened recently. What better way to cheer up dull wet days than working with brightly coloured fabrics!


I've always loved freestyle machine embroidery and use my trusty 'vintage' Bernina exclusively for painting pictures with stitches. Once the picture is complete I use my 'modern' Elna to construct the item. Using two machines in this way means no time is wasted changing settings, lowering and raising feed-dogs etc.


This little elephant was inspired by a tiny button I have in my stash! The tail is made from twisted yarn.


I always love using this toadstool fabric and having been searching for a little someone to put with it. 


One evening, whilst I was doodling, this little gnome popped up. Of course he insisted on catching a goldfish in the garden pond!


Although I love the toadstool fabric, I love Liberty Lawn even more and usually return to my cheerful little dolly girls when using it as they always pose obligingly. This one as you can see is gathering flowers.


And here is another little cutie. These small pouches are just large enough to hold a few essentials such as phone, keys, credit card etc. 


Nineteen different Liberty Lawn florals have been used for this needle case.


Most of the fabric contains red or dark pink (including dolly girl's dress).




The contrasting lining is covered with tiny blue flowers.



I have more stitching to complete today and one or two more pieces to pop into the shop. I've named the shop Flutterby Stitch

I hope you are all having an enjoyable weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Until next time x

Friday 5 April 2013

Cosy daffs and cottage bags

All I said was, "I bet the daffodils are feeling cold, poor things" and the dolls in the playroom went into action. Scarves were hurriedly collected and then a happy little rascal braved the cold weather to bring the chilly blooms a bit of comfort. What a kindhearted lot they are!!


My sewing room here at Flutterby Patch has been buzzing with activity this week. With such a cold, dull start to spring I desperately needed to surround myself with bright sunny colours. After much planning, snipping, and stitching the result was . . . . . . . . . 

 

. . . . . . . . .  three colourful little 'cottage' bags for tiny tots to enjoy.


Each crooked door has a button knob and a tiny bell (that really works) for visitors to ring. The little girl looking out of the window was created with freestyle machine embroidery. She is looking for the friendly gnomes who live in the wood behind her cottage. Every day they bring nuts and berries and she thanks them with a cup of tea and big pieces of home baked cake.


You can turn the bags over to reveal the friendly gnomes in the wood behind the cottage.


Such happy little fellows.

 

I hope you have a happy weekend and the sun shines for you.