Framing Up an Embroidery Project at Long Last!

This week I finally had a chance to frame up the embroidery project I finished in October of 2022 -- it was a stitchalong, and a fundraiser for Ukraine, designed by Embroidery Art by Nat. 

I've been looking for the right frame for this for a long time. I wanted the right size but also a shadow box style, so that there is space between the stitching and the glass. I finally found this frame at Goodwill, with a commercial image still in it. It has three spacers inside, and I removed the middle one so that this piece could still right in the centre, with plenty of space before the glass. It's perfect! 

I started by steaming and pressing my embroidery carefully to get all the crinkly bits out. It's been sitting a while! Then I cut a square of foam core just the size of the frame spacers. I centred the embroidery on it and was planning on lacing the back but I didn't have quite enough fabric to do that well. 

So I used painter's tape to tack it down so I could try lacing, but realized that painter's tape was holding really well. So I just stretched the whole thing with tape. I carefully did it on all four sides to make sure it was being stretched evenly and the embroidery stayed centred. This is not heirloom framing -- the foamcore probably isn't acid free and the tape is not going to stay forever. But it doesn't bother me. I'm just happy to have it done and ready to hang!

 I had to redo a bit of it a couple of times but finally got it nice and even without any big ripples in the fabric. I think it looks pretty great, and am now just trying to decide where the best place to hang it up is. It's not that heavy so I have lots of options. It looks nice on my sewing table in this picture...but I need that space! I will hang it somewhere where I can see it often and think of Ukraine. 

Stitchalong: Poppy finisher!

I did it! Finished my #PeaceForUkraineSAL, I mean :) 

I didn't get much stitching or blogging done for last week -- had so much to do. But I worked extra hard on the poppy over the last few days so that I could finish up and share the completed stitchalong pattern. (Designed by Nat, a Ukrainian embroidery artist found at EmbroideryArtByNat )

I started this last motif rather slowly, beginning with the centre and the little bud. I then moved on to the split stitch outlining, which took forever -- I'm not great with split stitch. Forgot to take many in progress photos with this one, as I had it set up in the stand and was just taking a few stitches whenever I could fit them in - photos slipped my mind! 

The poppy is then mainly filled in with four tones of long and short stitch. I looked at a few finished ones by others and realized I liked the ones with the lightest colour just lightly applied. So I tried my best to balance it so that the darkest red was most in evidence. Again I wasn't sure about it halfway through, but once the darker shading was in it looked good. And when the black was added it all came together for me! 

I left the poppy until last because I was worried about being able to do all the shading. But after all the practice on the other motifs I think it turned out well. All that's left is taking it out of the hoop and finding a suitable frame for it. This one is going into a proper glass front frame; I'll share photos once I have finished that. 

I have really, really enjoyed stitching this piece. I've tried to listen to Ukrainian podcasts & audiobooks, sometimes music, while I was stitching so that it would feel like it was a learning experience in all ways. I really love the podcast UkrainianSpaces and recommend it. And I've been reviewing some of the books on my book blog, with more to come, if you're interested. 

There are many other great patterns by this designer, I encourage you to check her out on her website and/or Instagram. This pattern is still easily available on Nat's website along with many others, both images related to Ukraine and many other floral and nature designs, too. 

And please keep paying attention to what is happening in Ukraine, and help where you can. There are many local charities that need our help. 

 

Stitchalong: Purple Morning Glory

This week's progress on my Peace for Ukraine Stitchalong is getting me so close to the end! I worked on the little purple morning glory on the bottom of the design, which I really like -- the shading was tricky here but has such a wonderful effect. 

I started with the leafage, which was done differently from the other leaves in this design which I did in a batch earlier. These leaves are a bit rounder and 'juicier' so were stitched in double strand, and outlined in one strand. Then it was on to the interior stripes.

These were slightly tricky to add in, and I had to add more to the centre of the five point star shape afterward, as I hadn't brought them in closely enough together. But I really liked the colours and enjoyed figuring this element out.

After getting all the greenery done and fixing the central bits, I stitched up the little cone shaped bud and started in on the dark purple shading. It always looks odd at this stage but once you start filling it in it all comes together. 

You can see that the first layer is quite similar in tone but then it lightens up quite a bit in the middle, finishing with some white highlighting that just finishes it off beautifully.

I love the way the shapes and colours blend in this pattern, and am eager to work on the final element, the poppy. I've been leaving this one to last since there is so much delicate shading in it. I'm nervous about getting it right! Thankfully I've had some practice now with the other flowers. 

It will soon be time for some framing decisions!

Just a reminder that this project is a fundraiser for Ukraine. There is still a war going on and they need our support more than ever. You can find this pattern on the website Embroidery Art by Nat, as well as suggestions of many ways to assist Ukraine. I would personally recommend UA24 or Come Back Alive as reputable places to donate (among many others) if you would like to give money directly to Ukrainian charities.

Stitchalong: Pink Mallow

Today's element of the #PeaceForUkraineSAL is the pink mallow flower. It's a big bloom, and adds some shiny pinks to the mix. There are quite a few different bits to this one: from the little bud done in satin stitch to the central stamen in french knots to the 3 layer long-and-short stitch that makes up the flower itself. And then all the outlines and little details. 

But somehow this one didn't feel like it took that long to me. I really enjoyed the repetitive nature of the stitching that makes up the flower. Like always, when you're at the first layer of stitching it doesn't look like much. But as you add in the colours and the petals fill up it starts to look really great. 

I probably could have extended the medium pink a bit further out into the petals, but I am happy with how this turned out. I like the mix of colours and think that the little details like the central cream and green streaks around the stamen add so much. The pale pink split stitch outline on the petals really makes it pop as well. I think it has a sense of a cupped flower with those details. 

I've really been following along with the pattern and not deviating much, and I enjoy the design and all the thoughtfulness put into the smallest bits to make them just so. All of the shading really makes the design, to my eye. Among the traceable patterns in the instructions there is also one with directional guide lines drawn in, and I've been using that one for this week's and last week's work in particular. To make the petal edges look distinct, it's useful to change the direction of your stitches, and seeing them sketched out in the pattern is so helpful. It saves time when someone else has already thought about and worked out the best placement for the effect you want! 

This flower is really lovely and I'm very impressed with the finished look. I wasn't fully sure I liked the pinks when I started but I love the finished bloom. Only two more flowers and then I will be done this project. But there's no limit on the support we can give to Ukraine. Victory to Ukraine!

Stitchalong: Oh the Red Kalyna!

This week I finished up the two sprays of kalyna berries on my #PeaceForUkraineSAL project. As always, you can find this design on Embroidery Art by Nat's website.

This element may look simple but it wasn't; it took longer than some of the larger elements! This is because the berries are all done in padded satin stitch. So, to make them you're basically stitching them twice.

I outlined each one in one-strand split stitch, then filled in the berry with rough long split stitches. I made the pad stitches at a 90° angle to the direction I wanted the final stitches to lie, since there will be better coverage if the stitches are sitting opposite - no creeping between as might happen if they were all lying the same way. 

Anyhow, after all that split stitching came the second layer of satin stitch in two strands. Each berry was finished and then outlined in stem stitch, and I added a french knot to each to give them that berry look. Most were fine but a couple of the knots slid down between two stitches so I added another one on top in that case. I just keep fiddling until it looks about right ;)

The stems were a nice quick whipped back stitch and I'm glad part of these two sprays was easy since I found this element very fiddly indeed! But I love the finished look and the pad stitching really does make them pop off the backing nicely. Next up, I'll be working on the pink mallow flower at the bottom of the design.

The instructions give a little bit of the history, legend and/or meanings behind each of the elements, and I think people may be familiar with the Kalyna (or viburnum) now that the folk song Chervona Kalyna seems to be everywhere. Today I'm sharing my favourite version: 

Marigold on my Stitchalong

More updates on my #PeaceForUkraineSAL project! This week's element is this cheery bright marigold. It has french knots, satin stitch and split stitch outlines. Once again there is some shading of a deeper colour in the centre of the petals, though it's quite subtle here. I love the effect of it each time it's used. 

There are three bands of colour, all kind of rosy coral pinks. After satin stitching the petals, they are all outlined using single strand split stitch. I find split stitch a bit wobbly but when I switch to split backstitch I get neater stitches and better curved lines. Either one is fine, I just find backstitch easier! (what's the difference between them? Great explanation at Needle N Thread)

The inner petals are done in the lighter yellow of the wheat stalks but when I got to the outer rings and the darker pink, I decided to switch to the slightly darker yellow that I used for the french knots in the centre of the marigold. I like the definition this gives, and it also makes the back layer of petals recede a little visually, which I feel has a bit more of a 3D effect. 

 

This element was actually pretty easy to complete, as it was mainly a lot of satin stitch, which I find quite easy to do. My french knots are getting better with all this practice too! Don't forget that this pattern can be found at the designer's website, Embroidery Art by Nat, and is a Ukraine fundraiser. You can find so many of her other beautiful designs there as well! 

Stitching All the Leafage

 

Really happy with how my #PeaceForUkraineSAL is progressing -- this is pretty fast for me ;) I finished up the wheat stalks from last week and moved right into the first leaf at the top of the design. it's done in a long and short stitch with some contrast for the veins and the shading in the middle, as well as an outline. I was quite pleased with the look of it and so moved right on to the Guelder Rose leafage at the bottom of the design.

That worked even better, now that I had practiced the technique on the first one! I really like how smooth and shiny these ones turned out. The edges were also much smoother than the first leaf so it was easier to get a sharp outline. Next up were the poppy leaves to the left.

These one are done in a lighter green, with a darker outline. I like the effect quite a lot, and find that the greenery all together adds some life and brightness to the design. I love the design of this project, there is so much smooth, full coverage stitching and it's really pretty. Can't wait to add some reds and pinks in next. 

If you're interested in giving this one a go as well, just a reminder that the designer is Embroidery Art by Nat and that this one is a fundraiser for Ukraine, with all the info on her website. You can now also buy the pattern directly on her Etsy shop if you wish, as well.

Periwinkle & Wheat Stitched Up

 

I'm really happy with how this is progressing! This week I've finished off the periwinkle and since that was so quick I also stitched up the wheat ears. The periwinkle started off poorly -- I didn't like the angle of my stitching after half a petal, so pulled it out and began again. I'm glad I did because I took more care the second time around and got them much more 'radiating' from the centre, which is so much better.

I really enjoy the level of detail in this pattern. The small periwinkle is started with long and short stitch in darker purple, with a second layer of mauve, and then a final central detail in white. After that's done, a simple satin stitched yellow centre finishes it off. 

It's amazing to me how the first round looks so-so, but as you add in the layers, it starts looking very nice indeed. I also like the way this one is outlined in split stitch before you start with the petals - it gives a raised feel to the edges which is a lovely touch. 

It went more quickly than anticipated so I just kept going and started in on the wheat. These are easily done with lazy daisy stitches and some accents in Romanian couching stitch. I've just started the accents here. Next week I'll have some more to share -- even a colour change!

Full Sunflower stitched up!

This week I am glad to be able to share a completed motif -- I've got the sunflower all stitched up, with the central arc of french knots all done. It was really well planned, with the inner circle a lighter brown and then filled in with dark brown. It gives such a nice variegated effect.

I enjoyed this bit; I think my French knot technique is improving with all this practice. I did do a quick refresh by watching the stitchlong video on the designer's youtube channel again. And it stitched up so quickly that I also put in the little red sprigs behind the flower to complete the motif.

You might also notice something new in these photos -- yes, I feel legit now that I've got an embroidery stand! I bought this little stand for $10 at a church sale just prior to the pandemic but had never taken it out of the box. My husband kindly noticed that I was starting this big project and went and found it, and put it all together for me. It was all still in the shrink wrap packaging, so brand new and VERY useful. I don't know how I worked without it!

In any case, I'm zipping along (by my standards) on this project and am heading to the little purple periwinkle next. I'm getting more invested in seeing this all done up. And it will be nice to work in a different colour next!

Sunflowers for the Stitchalong

This week's stitching on my Peace for Ukraine project is the sunflower - that's where I started in on the florals. It's really lovely; two layers of petals in two tones of yellow, with an outline stitch, and some details in the base of the petals. 

The petals are all done in satin stitch. I started out on the inner petals, carefully filling them in the way that Natalie shows in her stitchalong video. But as I went along I realized I could save a little thread by switching to a stitch I've seen called "Mexican Satin Stitch" (not sure why). Instead of moving your needle up and down across the space you're filling, which essentially gives you full coverage front and back, the adapted stitch has your needle going from top to bottom, then up again right beside where you just went down, and so on. This means the front looks like satin stitch, and the back is a series of little discrete stitches. Much less thread. 

Using this stitch necessitates careful placement of your needle, though, as you don't want gaps in the satin stitch coverage. I found it worked well with this project, and finished up my petals this way. I did find that my coverage on the sides of the petals wasn't as complete as the pattern was; I should have added a few more small stitches to round out each petal. But I think it's good enough and looks great once the outline stitches and the shading details have been added. I really love it!

Next up: more french knots!! What else could you possibly use to fill in the centre of a sunflower. More chance to practice my technique I guess ;) 

The Peace Piece of my Stitchalong project

As promised, this week I'm getting to the stitching part of  the Peace for Ukraine stitchalong project. After the central heart is painted, the word "Peace" is filled in with french knots. Uh, that's a lot of french knots! 

Fortunately, Natalie has some videos to follow along with, and since I'm a visual learner I find those really helpful. I watched the video on this step of the stitchalong, and also took a peek at her video on french knot technique as a refresher. Some of the knots in my "P" are a bit messy, but by the time I hit "E" the knots were more consistent, and my thumb was also a bit sore, lol. 

This was a good way to get going; lots of repetition and chance to practice a stitch. Also, the meditative nature of simply repeating a stitch gave me lots of time to think about the issues I'm stitching for. Craft is a great way to meditate on important things, and I was doing that here.

 

A suggestion if you are also interested in Peace in Ukraine:

Take a look at the suggested organizations to donate to on Natalie's Stitchalong page

More suggested organizations thanks to Vinok Collective on IG (a great person to follow, too) 

Or, listen to the Ukrainian Spaces podcast while you stitch, which talks to Ukrainians about many different issues, from war & colonialism to language to feminism and more. Really great stuff. 

Peace for Ukraine Stitchalong Underway!

 

image by @EmbroideryArtbyNat

I mentioned that I have started this beautiful project by Natalie of EmbroideryArtbyNat; you can find the pattern and all the information about how to donate to Ukrainian charities and other ways to help Ukraine, on her website and Etsy store. (hot tip: there's a 30% off sale in her shop this week!)

I thought I'd better get going on prepping this project so that I can finish it up this summer - I have a long trail of unfinished projects behind me, but this one is a special one that I'm very motivated to finish. 

There's a lot of compact stitching in this design, but the central heart is painted in blue and yellow to set the base. (Although there are other versions out there where people have gone their own way with the heart - if you check out the #PeaceforUkraineSAL hashtag on Instagram you can see some of the creative approaches that have been used). 

However, I decided that I am going to follow this pattern as closely as possible. I don't often follow along with patterns, liking to go my own way, but this one looks perfect to me, so I'll follow directions ;) 

So to make a quick start, I popped out the craft store and picked up some craft acrylics in the exact tones of blue and yellow I wanted. I already had some fabric medium so mixed up the colour with a touch of medium and was ready to go. The fabric medium helps regular acrylic to adhere better to the fabric and also gives it a bit of flexibility so that it won't crack when I'm manipulating the hoop with all the stitching. At least that is what I think!

Anyhow, it was a lot easier than I expected to follow the outlines and fill in the heart shape. I let it dry and then decided I needed a second coat for solid coverage. I found it quite fun to paint on fabric... uh oh, another thing to add to my endless project list ;) 

Next week: on to some stitching!