Marg Low Designs

Another slow stitching finish

It's been ages since I've had so much fun playing around with one design. I'd love to make one more but can't see myself finding the time between now and Christmas. There are a number of gifts to make and if I don't start soon......

 

 

Right from the beginning I wanted to stitch on the blue linen, it was a close call, but I chose the grey Artisan cloth instead. When I didn’t have the perfect print, I played around and pieced the back, which triggered ideas for future projects. Stitching on the grey first, meant by the time I started on the blue, the French General La Vie Boheme Linen had arrived, and it was perfect!   

 

The cutting directions for either the Red Work or Blue Purse are as follows:-

A  ¼ inch seam allowance is included in the cutting measurements.

 

• fabric to stitch on, one 5½ inch x 6½ inch piece
• a print fabric, one 9½ inch x 6½ inch piece (back) and two 2½ x 6½ inch pieces (side panels)
• lining fabric, two 9½ inch x 6½ inch pieces
• iron-on-pellon, one 5½ inch x 6½ inch piece (stitchery), one 9½ inch x 6½ inch piece (back) and two 2½ x 6½ inch pieces (side panels)

 

 You also need

• a 25cm nylon zip (I find it easier to use a longer zip and trim it to size)
• your favourite threads, and
• a glue pen.

 

To Start

• Fuse the iron-on-pellon to the corresponding pieces of fabric.

           The side panels are sewn to the stitchery piece after it’s stitched.

• Slow Stitch referring to the steps (Slow Stitching Free Pattern).
• Sew the side panels to the stitchery. Press the seams towards the panel piece (Red Work Purse) OR open (Blue Purse).
• Complete the purse following the steps in the How to Make a Zipper Purse video.

 

I hope you have as much fun making these purses as I have.

 

Happy Stitching

 

 

Slow Stitching Free Project - making the zipper purse

Missed the steps to stitch the front and back? Look under Categories, and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

 

 

To make the purse you also need

• lining fabric, cut two 5½ inch x 6½inch pieces
• a 20cm nylon zip (I find it much easier to use a longer zip and trim it to size) and
• a glue pen.

 

 

You’ll find the steps in the video How to make a Zipper Purse

 

 

The steps for sewing your slow stitched pieces together are the same for making the pretty floral purse. 

If you haven’t sewn with a zip before, it’s surprisingly easy.

If you’re nervous, consider making a sample first. I did!

 

My Zipper Tip: 

Use glue not pins! Gluing the zip changed my life.

Zipper tape is rigid, while the fabric can have a little give to it.

When the two are sewn together, the fabric can move on the zip.

The glue prevents this from happening.

 

I hope you've enjoyed making the Slow Stitched Zipper Purse.

 

Happy Stitching & Happy Zipper Sewing!

Slow Stitching Free Project - back piece

If you missed any steps for stitching the front, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

My stitched piece was made into a zipper purse.

I planned to use a print on the back, something to compliment my lovely stitches on the front. When I couldn’t find the ‘right’ print, I pieced the back and kept stitching.  An unexpected bonus.

 

Cutting Directions

If using a whole piece of fabric, cut it and the iron-on-pellon the same size as the front, 5½ inches (W) x 6½ inches (L).

If you’d like to piece the back and keep stitching cut the following. A ¼ inch seam allowance is included.

From the stitchery fabric

• two 1½ inch x 6½ inch pieces (side borders)
• two 1¼ inch x 6½ inch pieces (inner borders)

From three prints

• one 1 inch x 6½ inch strip

Arrange the strips and sew together. Press the seams open. It will measure 5½ x 6½ inches.

Cut a piece of iron-on-pellon the same size. Fuse the pieces together.

 

Stitching

I kept the stitching simple and repeated the same stitches – the rules don’t apply to the back!

Why not use your favourite stitches.

Inner borders: Stitch Interlaced running stitch (Step 8) through the centre, with running stitch on each side.

Outer borders: a row of running stitch and a second row combining running and cross stitch.

 

I plan to use a large red floral print on the back of my red work stitchery.

 

Happy Stitching

 

Slow Stitching Free Project Steps 16 & 17

If at any time you miss a step, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

You’re almost finished, only two more rows to go.

 

Step 16

Mark the line for the Running & Cross stitch, ½ inch from the side.

Alternate a running stitch with a cross stitch.

Step 17

Mark the line for the Long tie chain stitch, ½ inch from the side.

Long tie chain stitch, this is simply chain stitch with a long tie stitch. I’m not sure if this is a real, variation on or a made-up stitch. Does it matter? I was following the rule: decorative stitches could only be used once, and needed a different stitch!

 

If you’ve enjoyed the stitching and feel a little sad you’ve come to the end, don’t be.

The next post will focus on the back piece, simpler but a lovely alternative if you don’t have the right fabric to compliment your beautiful stitches.

 

Happy Stitching

 

Slow Stitching Free Project Steps 12, 13, 14 &15

If at any time you miss a step, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

Step 12

Mark the line for the Running stitch, 1 inch from the side.

Stitch the running stitch

 

Step 13

Mark the line for the Laced Running stitch, 1 inch from the side.

Stitch a row of running stitch. Choose a second colour and weave it through the stitches.

Instead of Laced Running stitch you may like to try Whipped Running stitch.

It's all in the weave!

 

Step 14 & 15

Mark the lines for the Back stitch, ¾ inch from each side.

Back stitch.

Why not try Whipped back stitch in Step 14 or  15. Something to think about!

See below.

 

Variations on Running and Back stitch

I love these stitches, they're so simple to remember and do. 

 

Happy Stitching

 

Slow Stitching Free Project Steps 10 & 11

If at any time you miss a step, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

Step 10

Mark the line for the fly stitch and colonial knots, 1¼ inches from the side.

Work the fly stitch.

Fly stitch is one of my favourite stitches. I picture the Letter Y in my head when I’m stitching it. I love combining it with a colonial knot. The colonial knots were worked with a single strand.

Work the colonial knots.

Fly Stitch

 

Step 11

Mark the line for the back stitch, 1¼ inches from the side.

Stitch the back stitch

 

Happy Stitching

 

Slow Stitching Free Project Steps 8 & 9

If at any time you miss a step, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

The thing I loved most about this project was having the time to play around with the stitches and threads. Something simple like stitching a row of running stitch and weaving a second colour through the stitches. Watching oval shapes form when I weaved back in the opposite direction.  The roundish shape is nice contrast to the herringbone stitch.

I have since found out this stitch, with the double weave, is called Interlaced Running Stitch. A single weave is Laced running stitch.

 

Step 8

Mark the line for the Interlaced Running stitch, 1½ inches from the side.

Stitch a row of running stitch.

Choose a second colour and weave it through the stitches in one direction and back in the opposite.

 

 

Interlaced Running Stitch

Step 9

Mark the line for the feather stitch, 1½ inches from the side.

Centre the feather stitch over the line.

Work colonial knots.

The colonial knots were worked with a single strand of thread unlike the colonial knots in Step 2.

 

I love the look of feather stitch but need to concentrate when stitching it.

 

Happy Stitching

 

Slow Stitching Free Project Steps 6 & 7

If at any time you miss a step, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

Herringbone Stitch is a stitch I remember from my childhood.

My Nan used herringbone stitch to hem the woollen pinafore Mum made me.  I tried it on and it was too long. I still remember the look of dismay on Mum’s face and her sigh when she saw Nan’s beautiful, perfect stitches. I don’t remember if I wore the pinafore way past my knees or if Mum unpicked the stitches and rehemmed it or perhaps Nan did.

When I can I like to include herringbone stitch in a project in memory of those beautiful stitches!

 

Step 6

Mark the line for the herringbone stitch, 1¾ inches from the side.

Centre the herringbone stitch over the line.

Herringbone Stitch

Step 7

Mark the line for the back stitch, 1¾ inches from the side.

Work Laced Back stitch. Stitch a row of back stitch. Choose a second colour and weave it through the stitches.

 

On the grey fabric I used two different shades of grey/blue and pulled the weave tighter. On the cream linen, I used two different colours and didn’t pull the weave so tight.

Play around and see which one you prefer.

I’ve used this technique for flower stems, when I needed the stem to be more solid than just back stitch.

 

The additional Step 7a.

I added a row of running stitch on the grey fabric as I felt the space between the cross stitch and back stitch with weave needed a filler.

I’m not sure I will need it on the cream linen because the cross stitches are bigger and the looser weave has filled the space.

 

Happy Stitching

 

Slow Stitching Free Project Steps 4 & 5

If at any time you miss a step, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

Remember you can substitute your favourite stitches and adjust the space between rows at any time to make it your own.

 

Step 4

Mark the line for the chain stitch 2 inches from the side.

Stitch the chain stitch.

 

Step 5

Mark the line for the cross stitch 2 inches from the side.

Centre the cross stitch over the line. I used a variegated thread.

It’s the same variegated thread on both the grey and cream fabric. I’m not sure I like it for the red work, but there’s that pesky rule about no unpicking. I will have to make it work!

 

 

Happy Stitching

 

Slow Stitching Free Project Steps 2 & 3

If at any time you miss a step, look under Categories and click on Slow Stitching Free Project.

I was so excited after writing the first post on Love & Hugs from Australia Stitch-A-Long, I decided to stitch another in shades of red. It’s been a while since I worked with just the one colour and found it more challenging than working with a variety of colours.

Anytime I need to show you how to work a stitch, it will be in red!

 

Step 2

Stitch seven flowers through the centre. I worked mine by eye.

Back stitch the stems, daisy stitch the leaves and work a colonial knot for the flower with double thread. 

They need to be big and bold. Consider different coloured threads for a variegated effect. I used two shades of red.

 

A colonial knot. Note the way the thread is wrapped around the needle.

 

Step 3

Mark the lines for the back stitch a scant 2¼ inches from the sides.

Back stitch each row in a different colour.

 

 

Happy Stitching