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New Year, New Journaling Dreams ✨☁️

12/28/2022

2 Comments

 
Happy New Year!
Below I have assembled steps for making this year's New year stitchery.
I hope it helps start your new year off full of inspiration and confidence.
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After cutting and sewing your
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After cutting and sewing your 1,2,3,4,5 pieces together, your front cover should look like this.

Then I draw the 1/2 inch border all around.
I accidentally used a Frixion iron-away pen. Whew! I was just beginning to trace the design. Right after the photo was taken, I removed it and changed to a fine-line blue wash-away pen. 
The reason for this is, There will be fusible interfacing added to the back of the front cover. Interfacing adds stability and helps make projects like this crisp and clean. Ironing heat would cause all my lines to disappear.

The 1/2 inch border gives extra fabric in case the embroidery pulls up too much fabric, Now you have a little extra to trim to the correct size.

​Ready to trace the entire front.

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Traced and started my embroidery.

I like to use a spring type hoop when I can.
It moves about my work quickly.

The linen-looking fabric is a Moda. They call it a Slub Linen. It is pretty thick. I am using linens more and more. I love this rustic look.
This linen was pretty thick. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get the hoop around it. 

If the work wouldn't go into the spring hoop, I would have changed and used a wood hoop. Not a problem, as wood hoops always have a sweet vintage look to them.



Embroidery work on the front cover is almost done. I need to make the little tag for the bottom piece #3. I think I may have left off some of this instruction on the download. I was rushing to get this pattern out before leaving on a little trip to ring the New Year.
I cut a neutral "tag" to embroider. You can see here, I traced the words and will cut it later.

After doing embroidery and cutting, I frayed the edges a bit. Then I put it in its spot and with a single strand of lighter brown floss (DMC 611). Just a simple running stitch was sweet and effective.
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After embroidery is done, it is time to trim your front to 8 x 12-1/2 inches.
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Next, make the pocket flaps the notebooks cover will slip into.
Cut two. 4-1/2 x 8 inches. Both of these get backed with interfacing as well. Then they get a simple hem along the 8 inch length on one side only. 

Then, right sides together, place them on the stitched cover.

Also in this photo, you can see the twill tape I placed. It will act as a bookmark in your journal. It is placed approximately 2 inches from the right side. 

Make sure the twill (or ribbon if you prefer) does not get caught in the seam. It is only hanging so you can see it.



Next, the interfaced lining gets placed on top of all. Notice the lining has two pieces of interfacing. I used up all my scraps making this. So, I found tow pieces to fit the back and fused them on. All good! As this will never be seen again.
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Everything is right sides together. 

Look close, you can see the 1/4 inch short side on the lining. The lining sides will not get caught in the seam. 

You can see I used clips to hold it all. The lining gap on sides is not caught in the seam and the ribbon or twill is stuck safely inside. 




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Almost done.
Clip all corners.

Then reach into the gap left on the side of the lining. Pull everything out. Fold pocket flaps right side out and towards the lining.

I used a chopstick to push my corners out. Press well.




Here are the pockets pressed towards the inside. 
And, a little peek at the technique I find best to put your notebook cover and back into the pockets. Fold it backwards almost like a tent. Slip it in one at a time.
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Done! Ready to fill with musings, stories, memories, doodles, drawings, and dreams.

I wish you a wonderful 2023.  Happy Stitching, Barri Sue Gaudet
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2 Comments

Ring in the New Year Wishes & Stitches

12/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Here is a quick little how-to on a simple and effective stitching technique I use on my dishtowel embroidery. 

Lots of you ask if they are ok to wash? the answer is, yes!  I wash and dry my towels all the time. Instruction number 1 is: pre-wash your blank towel. I wash mine in warm water on a regular setting. Then I dry on a warm or hot setting. Your new towel is ready to trace and stitch.

Little note here...Be sure to check if your towel has a barcode sticker on them. If you happen to have missed it, I have heard fingernail polish remover works just great to remove the sticky residue. Then re-wash.

After a year or so, I stop treating them nicely and they get thrown in with whatever matches the dishtowel. Usually a load of other towels or t-shirts. 
Remember, every washing makes them a bit softer 🫧 🧼 

I do find that sometimes the little lazy daisy stitches get a little out of whack.
When I use 2 strands for most of the Lazy Daisy stitches done, they do seem to hold up better.
​On the latest towel. Cheers! The New Year Towel, it uses single strands to tie all those little stars and starbursts to the hanging glistening garland. So, I have added a little video on my "couching" those little bows to hold them in place.



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Click on the video below. Couching and a quick peak of my back. 
A chance to see my first draft drawing and  little bit messy back!

I did not couch every bow. Only the ones with larger loops. The little ones seem to stay in place very well.

I hope you have enjoyed this little primer on couching.

Wishing you a Happy and Joyful New Year!

Barri Sue Gaudet
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EVERYTHING NICE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS SEWING TIPS FOR MAKERS.

7/8/2022

3 Comments

 
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I have assembled some tips and hints for making Everything Nice Christmas Ornaments. I enjoyed making these very much. They are easy to make but, I have discovered a few hints for making them even easier.
I have hints for Sweet Stitched Easter Eggs in an older blog. Easter Egg hints cover freezer paper template making and appliqué. This tutorial covers in more detail sewing and finishing the ornaments. Follow along. I hope these ideas help you become a confident maker. Barri Sue Gaudet
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In the photo of the finished Santa and Reindeer Ornament, you can see my stitches closing up the end of the rolled part of the ornament top. I prefer stitching this rolled top to glueing. 

These ornaments are fun, and versatile. I hope you enjoy making these and creating many different variations. Look for more designs coming for the 2022 Christmas season. :)  Enjoy!
3 Comments

Happy Spring. Happy Butterfly Days

5/22/2022

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I wanted to celebrate Spring with a close up of butterfly bodies. You will also get a close up of the back of my work. 

After you try one of these little sweet butterflies, you will want to embroider them to everything. Jeans, T-shirts, and especially dishtowels. 
Things just feel happier with embroidery.

"Chase Your Dreams"  Embroidered Dishtowel pattern or kit can be found in "Embroidered Toweling" Category on this website.
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First step in all dishtowel embroidery is to wash and dry your dishtowel. You will want to pre-shrink your towel before doing all the embroidery work. 
I used a cool setting for my washer water and a normal setting for dryer heat.

​After wings are done with a backstitch, I used 2 strands
of black floss for the body. I took one stitch from top to bottom of butterfly.



Then, I repeated this stitch one more time to emphasize the body.

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Knot off the 2 strands. Wrap the needle around previous stitching a couple times to secure.
DO NOT CUT THE THREAD.
Next, cut only one strand off
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Remove the cut strand from the needle.
You will use the  one strand left in the needle to make the antennae.

Check out my backside. Not perfect. But kind of neat? I do not carry strands far. If it over an inch, I cut.  I trail or wrap the thread under to carry under 1 inch away.
Leaves will be placed all around the flowers. These threads will be carried under these flowers.
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Use the existing 1 strand to stitch the antennae.

Simple and sweet little butterfly finished.

Keep posted for backstitch
and French Knot Blog Posts.

Have fun.
Be colorful.
Enjoy every stitch,

Barri Sue



0 Comments

Ropin' & Stitchin - How to Stitch a Lasso

5/22/2022

1 Comment

 
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I really had a lot of fun stitching this lasso.  I hadn't stitched anything like this before. I really liked how it turned out. If you are reading this blog and want to stitch up this towel look for Giddy Up Pattern or Kit in "Embroidered Toweling" category on this website.
​Giddy up and let's start stitching.

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After yellow/gold rope work is done, use 1 strand of brown floss to wrap the rope in diagonal stitches.
I always wash my towels before starting the stitching. The towel I used is 100% cotton. It will shrink a bit. You always want to wash first as the towel may shrink more than your floss will. If you skip this step, you might be left with wrinkled stitches. A sad sight after so much careful work.

I worked the lasso with an Outline
Stitch or, AKA Stem Stitch. This stitch gives a rope look as it looks like a slight twist as it is worked. You might be able to see the twist in the photo. This stitch also sits on top of the backing fabric. So it looks slightly raised. Perfect stitch for this rope. I used three strands of gold-ish/straw color. 

​I will be adding a blog about the backstitch and outline stitch in future posts.



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Come up on one side of the rope, place your needle on the other side of the rope a slight (1/32nd) move up to achieve the diagonal wrapped look. 
Keep repeating this technique around the length of the rope.







Here is a close up of the finished lasso.
Not all perfect. Some are closer than others. Some are less diagonal than others.
I love this rustic look.


Put on your favorite jeans, your favorite music and lasso up some stitches. 

Happy Trails and 
Happy Stitches,

​Barri Sue
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Darlin' Harlin. Death Valley days. 2022.
1 Comment

Carrying Threads. A View from the Backside.

5/22/2022

3 Comments

 
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Hello from the backside!

I often get asked about how to finish the backs of my embroidered dishtowels. While I do try to make the backside neat, it is not as neat as the front. There is an old adage, "Make the back as neat as the front". Not sure how to achieve this perfection as I am self taught, but here are my tricks to carry threads and neaten up my knots.


This view is from the backside of "Farm Girl" Embroidered Dishtowel.

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In these photo's, I am finding a path to bring my thread to the next crevice line in my stitched tomato.
I don't want to knot and start my thread again. It is only a 1 inch to my next stitching line. But, I do not want to carry the thread across the back. This causes potential pulling and looks messy.
So, I wrap around existing
lines to get where I need to go.


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Now, I have wrapped my red thread around the green tomato leaf lines. I am ready to backstitch the next tomato crevice. 
After this red tomato line is finished, I wrap back around the red line and into the green leaf lines as you will see in the next photo.






Wrapped red thread to the last tomato crevice line.  Then backstitched this last line. My tomato is done.
Ready to knot the red thread off.

To knot, I wrap the and square knot the thread. Pull until just taught. 
Never pull embroidery  tight. Embroidery is meant to sit gently.












As an additional security measure, as these towels may get washed many, many times, I wrap my thread up into the backstitched line to hold.

When starting  a new thread, I have a knot at the end, after 1 or 2 stitches, I try to remember to go back and wrap that knot as well. Again, as a precaution to secure the knot.
I do sometimes get lost in my stitching and forget this step : )

Happy Stitching!
Barri Sue
3 Comments
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    Barri Sue Gaudet designer for Bareroots, stitcher, mom and grandma, friend, hiker, quilt and knitting shop owner, and now, blogger. 

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