Marg Low Designs

Slow Stitching - Free Project

I was lucky enough to have some free time last month and all I wanted to do was stitch!  I was keen to stitch on a piece of grey Artisan cloth. I’ve used it in a mini quilt, cushion cover and felt appliqued bag and love how the colours pop and stand out against the darker background.

With no clear idea of what to stitch I decided to make it up as I went. I’ve done something similar with a felt project and loved the process. This time I’d play with thread colours and stitches and combinations of both. A sampler of sorts.

 

I didn’t rush and had stitcher’s block a few times, wondering what stitch and thread colour to work next, but found real joy working at a slow pace, watching it come together. I think it’s all the more gorgeous for growing organically than if I’d drawn up a static pattern at the start.

 

I thought it was too nice not to share it with you here and on the Love & Hugs from Australia Stitch-A-Long Group.

There is no stitchery pattern, it will be marked out as each row is stitched.

The steps will be outlined in separate posts beginning in this post.

I hope you will be inspired, step outside your comfort zone and stitch a piece that’s all your own.

 

Stitching Rules

I did have rules. It added a challenge. 

1. It couldn’t be symmetrical.
2. Once a row was stitched it stayed stitched. No unpicking! No going back and changing the stitch or thread colour!
3. Basic stitches only. Stitches I could combine like running and cross stitch. The trickiest stitches are feather and herringbone.
4. Decorative stitches could only be used once. Running and back stitch could be used multiple times to divide and fill spaces.

 

Getting started

Choose your stitchery fabric and favourite threads.

I use Aurifil 12 wt threads. It’s equivalent to two strands of DMC Stranded Embroidery thread.

 

• Cut the stitchery fabric 5½ inches (W) x 6½ inches (L) and a piece of iron-on-pellon (H630) the same size.  A ¼ inch seam allowance is included in the cutting measurements.
• Fuse the fabric and iron-on-pellon together.  The iron-on-pellon stabilises the fabric and hides the threads on the back. 

 

I used a hera marker to score the line I would stitch on.  I didn’t mark out the entire fabric. This allowed me flexibility over stitch choice and placement. Use a lead pencil or your preferred marking tool.

 

Step 1

Mark the two centre lines of running stitch and stitch them.

 

Happy Stitching

 

 

 

a tidy up

Tidying up my workspace and utilising a corner for a mini display was just what I needed!

Now when I enter my workroom there's a nice display to keep me focused and working.

Pictured - Postcard Blooms - Basket, Nifty Basket, Set to Sew (Dilly Bag), Garden Blooms (felt appliqued bag), A Stitcher's Friend (thread roll), Sew Bliss (embroidered box) and bunny (The Bunny Sisters)