Patterns: Petting Zoo

Petting Zoo stitched by cscrabeck, pattern by Cathy Gaubert

How cute are this threesome? I love this embroidery by cscrabeck and I also love the pattern itself which is by Cathy Gaubert. As of typing this pattern is not in Cathy's shop, but hopefully it'll be back in there soon. I think it would be a great pattern on a girlie pencil case or bag.

Home Invasion! Free pattern pdf

Wanna stitch a home invasion this weekend? The awesome peeps at Arsenal Pulp Press are giving Feeling Stitchy readers a sneak peek of Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery with this creepy cool bug and insect project. There's flies, roaches and spiders to cover every creepy crawly base...

This awesomely creepy arachnid would look great creeping over a pillow or camping out on an apron:


Or you could really freak people out by stitching it on an elegant vintage doily, as the project author, Sarah Terry suggests:


Want the creepy free patterns? Here you go!

Want to learn more about Hoopla? We're super proud that 3 of our Feeling Stitchy contributors - Penny, Jo, and Jenny Hart all took part in this book. And you know, maybe we have a bit of a giveaway cooking... just maybe. Guess you better stay tuned! :)

Fall Flower

I know we have already featured some Fall themed embroideries in the past couple of weeks but I really wanted to show you all this fabulous flower stitched by charm.mama. The colours are so vibrant and well...autumnal. And the fill stitching (notice the different stitches she used?) is just lovely. Read more about this project here.

Are you still in 'Fall' mode with your stitching or already stitching up winter themed patterns?

State Flower Quilt by Vicki Haninger

Today I'm excited to tell you about a wonderful embroidery and quilt project by Vicki from the Turkey Feathers blog. I just know you're going to love this! Over a period of many months she embroidered every single (US) state flower and then she turned them into a quilt. It's beautiful and inspiring!

You should check out Vicki's blog, Turkey Feathers. And her shop, PatternBee! PatternBee is a wonderful resource for vintage embroidery patterns which Vicki restores and sells both as PDF and iron-on patterns.
She is also an author of two books: Embroidery Craft: Stitching Through the Seasons and Blanket Statement.

I asked Vicki a few questions about the project and here's what she had to say. You can also read more about it on her blog. Thank you, Vicki!


(All images with kind permission of Vicki)

Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Vicki Haninger, and I live in the beautiful Willamette Valley here in Oregon with my husband and two youngest daughters and various adorable critters, including some that run wild through my backyard on a daily basis!

When did you start stitching?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been sewing and stitching.  Like most stitchers, the biggest influences I had growing up, came from the women in my family who always seemed to have a project of some kind in their hands, mostly out of necessity. But there was also much joy in the making.  I found this out early when at the age of five, I was handed a needle and thread and completed my first embroidery of a tiny cross-stitch chick.  It was a defining moment for me I guess, because I can still remember the thrill of that simple task (over fifty years ago now, ahem!), and then, to realize where it’s led in terms of what I am doing today.

What inspired you to start the State Flower Quilt?
The State Flower Quilt Project was the result of a basic pattern restoration.  (That’s primarily what PatternBee offers, in an attempt to keep the old vintage patterns, which are under public domain, available so that others can access and use them more easily.)  Sometimes an old pattern has little things about it that could be made better though and this was the case with the state flower patterns.

So I tweaked the typography, changed the awkward shortened state names to two letter abbreviations, and made slight changes to the flower blocks themselves.  Then I began stitching them, one by one, and sharing them on my blog as free pattern downloads.  The finished blocks and free patterns can also be found on the Turkey Feathers Flickr page, and the pattern is also available from the PatternBee website as a PDF and as an Iron-On Transfer.

How long did it take to finish the quilt?

My State Flower Quilt was completed in about 18 months, but I didn’t work on it every day or very fast, so that’s maybe an average timeframe for a quilt like this.   The flower blocks are easily done though, with just a few basic stitches, and being small they are travel-friendly; a nice size to stow in your bag and take with you to pass the time while you wait somewhere.  So the fact that there are fifty of them shouldn’t be too daunting!  But if it is, you can always just omit the lettering and use the flowers individually for other projects.

Patterns: Nutcracker Sweets

Nutcracker Sweets by Wild Olive

Ok, yes, I know we haven't even passed Halloween yet but this pattern by Wild Olive was too cute not to mention. As of blogging, this pattern is currently not in Wild Olive's shop because *ahem*, I just bought the last copy, but I'm sure it'll be back in soon, so it's definitely worth checking out because it's Christmas-y but not too Christmas-y if you know what I mean. I'm sure there are lots of households (like mine) with little dancers in, who would love a spot of Nutcracker any time of the year! As well as Clara, the pattern sheet also features the Nutcracker himself, a Christmas tree and a Grandfather clock, amongst other things.

Truly truly truly outrageous

Stitched by moxiedoll77

My twin girls recently started watching reruns of the the mid-1980's cartoon classic Jem on one of our cable channels, so it's through new eyes that I see this totally rad (and truly outrageous) portrait of the young, misunderstood artist herself.

Don't know who Jem is? Whoa, you are in for a treat. Check out the Wikipedia page and you'll have a leg up on your competitors at the next 80's trivia night.

And for those who do know about the awesomeness that is Jem: go ahead, I dare you to get the song out of your head for the rest of the day.

As for me, I was always partial to the Misfits -- especially their Brit-punk-glam sax player.

Pirate Sampler

Do you recognize this Stitchin' Octopus? It is Feeling Stitchy's March stitch along Pattern! Robyn Enz has turned it into a cross stitch pattern. See how delicately our Octopus, wonderfully stitched in several shades of grey, has cross stitched some initials and the year it was made?

The Octopus, or rather Kraken, is part of an absolutely stunning and gorgeous Pirate sampler that Robyn has put together from different pattern sources, old and new.

Apparently these 'pirates' originally were a bunch of patriots on a 4th of July pattern. Obviously the 4th of July pattern didn't include swords, hooks and mugs...The whole sampler has these little additions and alterations to fit the Pirate Theme. I particularly love the seagulls with chips in their beaks. Do check out Robyn's photostream for more photos and descriptions of all the clever details.

P.s. Submissions to our Covered in Stitches contest are accepted until November 7th, don't forget to post yours in the Flickr Group!

Vintage Illustration - Creepy or Cute?

illustration by G. C. Williams

Thumbing through an old needlework magazine from 1906, this illustration definitely jumped out at me. I love images and illustrations of people working in embroidery, but, isn't the Victorian, Gibson-girl-esque woman's head on the cherub's body a bit strange? What do you think? Creepy or cute?

I'm saying creepy and posting it because Halloween is coming! Maybe she'll become the flying monkey of the embroidery world...(not responsible for ensuing nightmares).

With kind apologies to G.C. Williams, rip.

PUSH Contest Winners

Priest stitched by David Hill

Penny Nickels just announced the winners in the PUSH Stitchery Contest on her blog and I have to say I'm pretty blown away by the submissions - you're looking at the 2 winners of the contest, David Hill and Lord Libidan. Penny commented on the beautiful, painterly Van Gogh lines in this piece, and I have to agree with her - I'm in awe of David's skills. Truly painting with thread here.

Transformer stitched by Lord Libidan

Yeah, your eyes do not fool you - that is a fully transforming Transformer, stitched painstakingly on plastic canvas. Seriously, think of the architecture that went into that piece.

But every bit as amazing are the 2 runner-ups:


Tattoo sleeve stitched by Di Ellis


Hair stitched by Stefanie M.

Penny is featuring essays by the stitchers on their work on her blog - go on over there and check it out.

Thanks, Penny, for hosting such an awesome contest - be sure to check out PUSH Stitchery the next time you're in a bookstore - it looks like MrXStitch and amazing contributors like Penny have made an awesome book that will not disappoint!

Patterns: Breast Cancer Charity Patterns

Pink ribbon - pattern by Emily Peacock for Breast Cancer Care and Cross Stitcher (stitched by me)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I've found two great Breast Cancer awareness patterns where the proceeds go straight to charity. The first is a pink ribbon cross stitch pattern designed by Emily Peacock for Cross Stitcher magazine. You can download the pattern for a donation here. All proceeds go to the charity Breast Cancer Care.

Breast Cancer Fundraiser Embroidery Pattern by Happy Sew Lucky, stitched by Krista Hennebury

All proceeds from this pattern by Berene from Happy Sew Lucky, go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. You can read about the story behind the pattern here on Happy Sew Lucky's blog, definitely worth a read for some moving art work from Berene's mum, Rosemary Sellars.

September Stitch-along | The wrap-up!

With only a little over two weeks left before the big, spooky day, we wanted to wrap up our September stitch-along by showcasing some of the amazing finished products that can be found in our Flickr group. We hope that everyone stitching along enjoyed this fun Halloween project, and that everyone who didn't get a chance to embroider their own pieces were still able to draw some Halloween inspiration from our posts.

(Don't forget: you can still find the pattern in our kick-off post!)

First up, the finished piece by the pattern artist herself, Cathy Gaubert! A felt ghost? Black & white stripey tights on the cat? The cuteness is almost too much to bear!

We're loving this little mini quilt by Flickr user suesueb, who machine quilted a little label right on the front of the piece!

Here's another beautiful little mini quilt made by Marianne Penner (~maripen on Flickr). See the second picture for more detail of Marianne's awesome quilting.

The pattern looks fantastic framed in an oval hoop, as shown here in a piece stitched by Jana (megmormel on Flickr):

This finished piece is all hooped up and ready to be hung for the holidays, made by LindsayPindsay:

This embroidery on black fabric is especially effective. It almost looks like it's glowing! (by letscallitlove):

The only thing better for a Halloween stitchery than black fabric is orange fabric! Check out this mini quilt by simonedk:

Highlights of this next piece by Kristin (Sew Technicolor) include her use of metallic silver floss for the ghost and the inclusion of candy corn in place of the skulls on top of the posts:

And finally, here's a great finish by Melanie Jane (mj ...), including a super rad green cat:

We hope you enjoyed our September stitch-along. Stay tuned for more stitch-alongs here on Feeling Stitchy!

The Birds

Murderbird has posted some awesome bird themed embroideries in our Flickr Group. I love the use of the green patterned fabric as backdrop for this sweet little American Redstart.

And how about this fabulous Turkey Vulture? O.k. Mr. Vulture may not kill us with his cuteness but the fill stitching is to die for, right?  (And he probably wouldn't mind if you did!)

A word about advertising...

Hey guys, just a reminder that we don't allow advertising in our Embroidery group, or on our Facebook fanpage. If you add an item to our pool (or fanpage) with a link to your Etsy or online store, it will be removed. We may also remove items from our pool that look like advertising - if, for example, you are posting images of your entire store stock. If you're a pattern designer, feel free to post free patterns in our group, just not links to patterns for sale.

We love small businesses and frequently feature them here, but there are other ways of getting our attention - post a link to your Etsy or small business site in this thread. (You'll need to be logged in to Flickr and a member of our Embroidery group to see that). Or just post a few of your best (embroidered) items to our pool, and let us find you!

Thanks everybody! :)

The X-files: Restoring an older piece

Maybe you can help elliefunkhandmade? Over in the Flickr group, she's asking about restoring and cleaning older embroidery pieces:

[...] an advent calendar my grandmother made close to forty years ago - it is very special to me. I was wondering whether anyone had some ideas or tips about how best to wash it. It needs some minor repairs but the fabric has also stretched in places. I don't know for sure - but I think it is all cotton fabric (but I'm not sure of the stitched thread - I assume they are DMC)

Here and here are some photos of the calendar.

I'm sure others have the same question/problem, so if you have any suggestions for how to care for older pieces, please share them in the comments. :-)

Patterns: DIY stitchable phone case

Created by Wee Little Stitches

Following on from Floresita's stitchable phone cases post, how's this for a fun DIY version? Created by Wee Little Stitches (and featuring two of the heroes from their Justice League pattern), you can found out how on their blog, here.

So cute

Do not feed after midnight!, originally uploaded by loveandasandwich.

But don't feed after midnight or you know what will happen: cute goes bye-bye and you'll have to put him in the microwave! ;-)

Brilliant piece!

Flower Power

This is some serious gorgeous stitching by Anne (aka Dozydotes on Flickr)! An abundance of lovely satin stitches, French Knots, Lazy daisy stitches and a few other stitches as well. The flowers seem to be bursting from the hoop and I love that the stitching nearly covers all of the fabric. The autumnal colours Anne used for this piece are also spot on: rusty brown, yellow, orange and even a hint of pink. Do check out Anne's other 'Flower Power' pieces here.

Nyan Cat iPhone Case

Stitched by poppet with a camera

This makes me want an iPhone - because I'm just the sort of dork that wants a thing just so I can cross-stitch a cover for it. :) It also made me curious about the history of Nyan Cat.

Want stitchable covers? I hear you can find them here. And those free patterns they have to stitch? Also to die for:

Purl Bee also just posted a sweet free pattern for an iPhone cover:


Eeeeeep.

Patterns: Penguin & Fish

Blocks and embroidery by KCQuilts, embroidery patterns by Penguin & Fish

I love these bright and colourful blocks by KCQuilts and the embroidery in the middle of each is just perfect. The embroidery patterns are from Penguin & Fish, slightly adapted to go with the fabric patterns. You can read more about these blocks here.

September Stitch-along | Week 3

We hope you enjoyed Flor's post yesterday, and just in case you're not in the Halloween spirit yet, we're sharing some of the September stitch-along progress from the Embroidery Flickr pool!

Enjoy ...

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Love Marianne's coordinated fabric selection for her Halloween wall hanging:

by ~ maripen

A green ghost? Sure, why not?! : )

by Fiber Fairy

by dappleapple09

by AllThingsBelle

Blown away by this amazing fill stitch:

by Savage Pink

Here Comes Halloween!

Free pattern by Badbird, stitched by onetomatotwo

Looking at the pool and seeing all the entries for our September Stitchalong has really gotten me into the Halloween spirit. Also, this awesome cross stitch by Flossbox, of course. :)

Looking for something quick and fun and free to stitch (assuming you've already done our Stitchalong pattern by Cathy Gaubert, of course)?

Here's a few of my free faves:


Free pattern by Annie Oakleaves, stitched by yours truly


Free pattern by The The Treacys