Garden Gate Patchwork

I recently discovered the blog of Christine at Patchwork Allsorts and am drawn to her pretty embroidery. When I saw this beautiful stichery I decided I had to buy one of the double stitch patterns from Mountain Patchwork. During the month of September they have free shipping!

Christine has a stash of Tilda fabrics, which are gorgeous fabrics not readily available here in the States. I have to admit I’m envious of her stash. I started to buy a few pieces on Etsy, but in the end I decided to use some of the “unloved fabrics” that had been weeded out of my stash during The Purge a few weeks ago. They are batiks which attracted me initially, but I didn’t love them anymore. However once they were cut and sewn together I loved them again.

I haven’t hand sewn for a long time, and my stitches show it. Sewing a straight line is not as easy as it used to be, and my embroidery stitches look spidery to me. But I decided it adds to the charm. For the double stitch thread I used variegated Superior Rainbows with shades of lavender, sage green, and pink, and for embroidering the flowers, ribbons, and stems I used Cosmo thread.

I am working on re-purposing/refinishing a frame for it and will post a final picture. Thanks to Christine for answering my numerous questions about this project!

Cinnamon Delights Bag – Patchwork Loves Embroidery SAL

I recently purchased the Kindle version of Gale Pan’s Patchwork Loves Embroidery so that I could join a Sew-Along for the book. Martina at Sunshine Quilting is hosting, and today is the first link-up for completed projects.

I chose the Cinnamon Delights Bag and was able to use fabric from my “de-stash” purge that was in my “unloved” pile. The blue is a batik, and for some reason when I first started collecting fabric, I was fascinated with batiks. Now, not so much. However, the fabrics took on new life as they were transformed into a bag!

The inside lining is a tiny bit bulky, so next time I make this I will cut the lining just a smidge smaller.

The bag combines hand quilting with machine stitching, and in spite of a few minor hitches (and hidden mistakes) I thoroughly enjoyed making it. Now I am eager to choose my next project.

I am linking to Sunshine Quilting’s Patchwork Loves Embroidery Sew Along 2014

Patchwork Loves Embroidery Sew-Along 2014

This is my first Sew-Along, and I am excited to add another dimension to my quilting experience. Ever since I saw the redwork quilt (see below) in American Patchwork & Quilting August 2004 issue (I saved the issue!), I have had in the back of my mind that “someday” I would add embroidery to my quilts.

Peekaboo Redwork Quilt

I saw on Christina’s blog that Martina at Sunshine Quilting is hosting a Sew-Along based on the book Patchwork Loves Embroidery by Australian author Gail Pan. Although I didn’t own the book, I already loved it and wanted to participate, so I purchased the Kindle version.

The SAL starts September 1 and continues until the end of October. You can make as many projects as you like and link up your blog post on Martina’s blog.

Cinnamon Delights Bag

I have chosen the Cinnamon Delights Bag as my first project, using the materials in the first picture above. I hope to fill it with cinnamon chunks from Penzey’s and give it to my church to sell at our Fall Market in October.

Join us – it’s a chance to meet new bloggers who share your passion (addiction?)