I did it! I finished my embroidered pillow AND I have pictures to share! (Remember, I mentioned it in passing here?)
Back in February my fingers were literally itching to start on another handwork project. And, it had to be more than just a simple towel. As much as I like that (and think it's a good start), it just didn't have enough pow! anymore. I needed something bigger. I decided to embark on making a cover for a grand size pillow — 24×24 — (I love big pillows).
I used some of my favorite velveteen (hah! What do you know? You can get it here. Imagine that.), embroidering around and inside as many of the flowers as my heart desired. I also tried to make it a point to try out several different stitches. Lots of french knots found their way in there (they are some of my favorites), just simple running stitches, and satin stitch, plus a cute 'puffy' design that I found via Anna Maria Horner. My Nan was so taken with it that she recommended I had to make some more of them, as it was just that cute.
It took me about 4 months to stitch it all, which isn't too bad, since I didn't do it non-stop, and I was determind to make sure that it didn't look skimpy. In fact, Mom and the girls kept saying, "Aren't you done??", since I kept telling them I was almost done, and then changing my mind again.
When Nan was down here in February, and we were shopping in Springfield for our Titanic dress fabrics, I found my pillowform + that orange fringe that I put around the edges. It took me a long time to decide which color of fringe to choose, but I just kept going back to the orange. I love the color of it, and the way it makes the orange tones in the velveteen pop out. Then, I backed it in a fun stockings print that also boasted the orange with blues.
Before signing off, I have to show you two of my favorites! These little guys turned out so cute (if I do say so myself)! For the top one I just did a satin stitch on all the orange portions and used all 6 strands to make the french knots, so they really stand up. The orange matched so perfectly that you can almost miss it! For the bottom butterfly I just did blue running stitches on the wings, kind of curving it out, and trying to stay with the same shape as the wings themselves. I hadn't really intended for it to look like that, but I love the finished product!
There! A happy pillow + happy girl = success!
Oh, and by the way, anyone gets extra brownie points (you deserve some after hearing me chat on about stitching, right?) with me if they can tell me where the title of this post came from (no cheating)!
xox~ Achaia
PS… By the way, Folk Heart is 50% off through the 27th, so run and get some! xx
