Bunny Sweatshirt project finished!

I am trying really hard to finish some projects and it is not as hard as I thought. I have just finished stitching this gorgeous bunny on my daughter's size one sweatshirt....

...the pattern is of course from one of my favourite Ondori cross stitch books. Here she is close up...

I just used a piece of scrap waste canvas, pinned it in the middle and used an oval embroidery hoop to keep it in place...

......carefully counted to find the middle of the bunny pattern and started stitching. I just kept moving the hoop around to suit which part I was stitching until I was finished...

 

......then I removed the hoop and the fun began. You are supposed to immerse it all in water to release the waste canvas but it gets messy and yucky and sometimes colours run so I prefer just to remove it strand by strand. It takes a bit of care and patience but it is lots of fun too...

 

No I am seriously considering stitching one in my size!

Question is when are you too old to be wearing a cute picture on your sweater?

Project Update: Week One

For those just tuning in I have started a new craft project and to keep me on the straight and narrow I will be posting weekly updates of my progress. I hope this will stop me from putting it down and starting yet another project which will never get completed!

So here is the progress so far.....

Doesn't look much but for you cross stitchers out there you know how long it takes to complete a square inch. I have it on a high kitchen counter away from sticky fingers (only just!) and try and sneak a few rows in here and there between domestic & parental duties.

You will be proud to know I even spend a long time measuring and counting and marking to get my pattern in the correct spot.......

Here I have tacked the waste canvas in place and have used fading marker to work out where to start stitching. My fading marker lines are however still in place 3 days later...hmmmm...I am hoping they will eventually fade!

Whan I am stitching up one of my new designs for the first time I am always changing colours and layout....

This is what my work in progress looks like. For once I am really taking note of the exact cotton colours etc and writing lots of notes. Usually I rely on memory but after two children who am I kidding I need to write things down.

Pop by next Monday and see much more stitching has been done!

Itching to Stitch!

I finally got to sit down yesterday and start my new stitching project. I did an hour or so yesterday and about half an hour today and it is done!


Strawberry shortcake on a doily!

I love a quick project with such a cute result.
I used waste canvas to be able to stitch onto the doily and here is what I did.

Vintage doily

Choose something to stitch on. I love using old doilies and vintage table cloths. You could stitch on to tea towels, kids clothing, a hankerchief - just about anything.

Waste canvas

This is what waste canvas looks like, basically like ordinary tapestry canvas but with the blue lines in it. I think I got this from spotlight but have seen a better range on ebay. I have also seen a soluble version that is ideal for cross stitch.

Pin the waste canvas onto the doily and use a bit of spare embroidery floss to tack it into place.

Use a fading fabric marker and mark the centre of the doily.



Then start stitching! I find it easier to start stitching in the middle. You could put the doily in an embroidery hoop to keep it taught if you find it easier to stitch that way.

Keep stitching until your image is complete. Now you can remove the tacking stitches.

Find a shallow bowl - I have used the lid of a casserole dish here. Fill it with a couple of cms of water and submerge your doily in it. Leave it in for a minute or two and swish it around a bit.

Tip the water out and you will find you can now pull apart your canvas. Start at the side and gently pull out single strands at a time. Don't be tempted to try and pull multiple strands at once or you will end up in a tangle. Once you have removed a few strands from the side start taking them out the horizontal strands from the top.

Keep on going, you are nearly there! Remove the final strands, dry out your doily and....


Strawberry shortcake on a doily!

you are finished! I must say it does look a whole lot cuter in person, my photograpjy skills don't really do it justice. The design itself is from "Sweet Treats in Cross Stitch"

I can't wait to start the next project - I am stitching a tray doily with and assortment of biscuits - it may take more than two days to complete this one!

Happy Stitching!

My New Project + a waste canvas tutorial

My new cross stitch book Sweet Treats and the pretty embroidery floss I have bought for the first project have been sitting in my craft room for about 3 weeks now.

I promised myself I would not start stitching until I have finished all my crafty bits for Craft 2.0.

I here it calling out to me.....'Start me now!!!'

I am great at starting new projects but don't always finish them.

Anyway I am sticking to my promise and will start after Easter. I am going to stitch one of the lovely designs onto an interesting object and will be using waste canvas so thought I would make it into a tutorial too.

I love waste canvas, although it is very hard to find these days.

So stay tuned!