Wednesday, 8 August 2012

A Summersville Day

While on holiday I took some hand stitching with me. I took some EPP, but that can wait for another day. I took a FQ of Summersville. Just for me to play with in hoops. What I failed to take into account was that as soon as the girls saw what I was doing they would want some too. Why I failed to take this into account is beyond me because you think I would know  better by now! So my Summersville is decimated but the girls stitched happily by my side. I suppose this is a good thing.

The top two are Helen's (on the left) and Emily's (on the right). The bottom one is mine. Yes, I am well aware that Helen got way more done than I did.


I am very pleased with the contrasting textures I managed to get into the different parts though. I was just playing with made up stitches but most of the time I got the effect I wanted.


I didn't want to do the second tree until I got home again because I wanted to use a different green on it. I didn't have one with me as I only took some of my perle threads. And I remembered I had some extra special perle given to me as an extra in a swap. (I also got some fabric and while away I suddenly had the light bulb moment of how I wanted to piece it in a quilt - don't  you love those sudden moments of clarity?!) Anyway, I have had the perle and fabric carefully hidden away until the right moment and the right moment had arrived for this green.


It is amazing. Hand dyed with a slight variation in the shades and a wonderful sheen. It sews beautifully and I loved using it. In an attempt to find yet another texture to make this tree look different from the other I did a chain stitch in a meandering loop. The tree is now done.

Think I will do the Summersville Tours bus next. Bright orange I am thinking, like a secondhand school bus.

Susan

39 comments:

Nicky said...

Wow your girls are stars! And you are not so bad yourself Susan! Love the texture!

Isn't it good when plans come together brilliantly

Sarah said...

Well, the girls hoops are lovely and I'm very impressed with their happiness to sit and do that with you too! But yours, my dear, is beautiful. Especially in love with the chain stitch filling in!

Heidi Grohs said...

Love it! Your girls did GREAT!!!!

Sheila said...

Absolutely fabulous...all of them.
Definitely looking forward to seeing more of these done - love the stitches you have used :)

Flying Blind... said...

Awesome!!!!

Jeanette said...

Wow, that handstitching is amazing! I can't even manage a blanket stitch on my felt ornaments yet! Love this, and I love the wall hanging that says I quilt so I won't kill people. Too funny.

Heather said...

Wow, I love this so much that I will keep my eye out for some black and white fabric. A very clever idea and the texture in your stitches looks great. I'm also impressed with your daughters work. Way to go girls!

Isisjem said...

Loving everyone's embroidery - must find time to get on with my embroidery Summersville. Must find time to get one with any sewing!

Pennie said...

This looks lovely, and so clever with the different textures - can't wait to see the school bus!

Katy Cameron said...

Oooh, very nice! I've been meaning to give this a go at some point, but yes, at your age I would have thought you would have learned to share your toys ;o)

Carol said...

That is so beautiful!!!

Catherine said...

It looks lovely - I like the different textures. And that's some impressively quality stitching from your girls.

Charlotte said...

love it!!! Such a cute idea :-D

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Beautiful stitching. I'm sure if I tried I'd only make a mess! :o)

Patchwork and Play said...

Great stitching! I love your creativity, making it up as you go along! And it works!! If I did that it would look rubbish!

Kelly said...

These are fab!

Jenny-Narcoleptic in a cupboards mum said...

These are sooo sooo lovely. What patience you have.
Time you gave your clever girls some white fabric and a black marker pen. I wonder what they would come up with !

Sarah said...

These are so fun and totally gorgeous! The girls did a great job on theirs. I love how your stitching has incorporated so much texture too. That second tree is inspired!!

Trudi said...

Brilliant! Love that green!

Terri said...

Sigh.
I wish I could embroider like you.........but I can't :-/
Lovely stitchiness :-)

Cathy said...

Man! You are amazing! Beautiful embroidery and your girls put me to shame! I also now realize that I have some super special Wildflowers perle cotton that I bought in a bag at a thrift store!!!! EEP!

Judith, Belfast said...

This is stunning stitching S! And your girls are just as talented with the needle too! So beautiful! jxo

Leanne said...

What fun, I think your girls are natural stitchers.

Kirsten said...

These look fabulous - the green is beautiful and I love the pretty stitching!

felicity said...

Oh my goodness what gorgeous stitching and fabulous thread! Love it!

Cindy said...

Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous!

Jennifer said...

this is GORGEOUS - i've been trying my hand at embroidery.. its not working, im so jealous, especially afters seeing this!

hafza said...

Oh so lovely... I love embroidery very much, looking at your work makes me want to have Summerville fabric too!

HillyFilly said...

Lovely.. The Perle thread works better than stranded thread in my opinion... I'm off to gather mine together..

Laura Jane said...

Yours is waaaay better than mine. I need to come round for hand sewing lessons. I tend to get a bit stabby and just whack it in whereever I feel like it.

Marit said...

Love the idea of coloring fabric with embroidery. And you are so good at it (and your girls too)!

Quilting In The Cold said...

Oh my that tree is gorgeous!!

Archie the wonder dog said...

Wow, it's amazing! I love all the different textures you've used - I can see I'm going to have to try some different threads rather than just sticking to embroidery floss.
P.S. I love what the girls did too - they're obviously naturally talented, just like their mam!

Lucy @ Charm About You said...

WOW this is incredible!! I adore the textures created and stitches you've used. I bought some Summersville with the same thought but don't know when I'll get round to it! Truly beautiful Susan!

Cindy said...

Love it!

Marg said...

OOoh lovely, I love how you have created texture, and don't you just those light bulb moments, so exciting and satisfying. The girls have taken to embroidery like ducks to water.

Catherine said...

amazing embroidery Susan, love all the different stitches and textures

diane said...

wow, you are good. Another thing I need to learn, embroidery!

Danny Heyen said...

That's excellent! I think you have inspired me to start playing with my Summerville!