Alina's Adventures

Making sock monsters from socks.

At last count, we had over fifty unmatched socks. So I made a sock monster this weekend-- and the girls made sock cuffs. Get this, though-- the King made his own sock monster. He asked me nicely to help him out with the eyes (which I plan to do pursuant to fire tonight). 

Part of me thinks it ridiculous that I can be excited when the King does something conventionally outside his gender's craft domain, and then part of me feels guilty for feeling excited. Should I just respond as if such things were normal? Isn't excitement a way of babying him?

No, self, it's just a way of reminding him that he can be good at needle and thread-- his penis does not prevent him from sewing or from enjoying it-- despite his socialization to the contrary. I know, I know, it's sexy for a woman to wield a circular saw or a power drill... I've seen the Man Show, I got the message that it's okay for us to build stuff because men have decided to find it "hot". (Part of me resists handling power tools for fear of pandering to the new sexy.) But the King doesn't get social sexy points for stitching. Instead, he gets nerd points. In my book, nerd points are the only points worth pursuing or having. 

Holiday mantles, crafting, and the usual flurries.

I am behind on the holiday season this year- boxes still sitting in the corridor, always, the books, lining the walls, making it difficult to remember what precisely I was going to do next. Always, the hope that my family understands (despite their possible annoyance) that I am doing my best.

The matyroshka mantle working its way into being.

But I have done my homework- a long list of links to projects for handmade holidays. I hope you find something to use and create. 

Just click on the big image for a gateway in holiday crafting. And savor the season..

Love letter #93: Things to make in April.

1. Easy tank dress (The Southern Institute)

2. Dita von Teese's wrap dress (I heart Jenny's art)

3. The Leela dress (Innocentia)

4. Alphabet peg dolls (No Time for Flashcards)

5. Tie-dyed sheets in spring colors (Design Love Fest)

6. A few new touches for the kids' room (Jen Loves Kev)

7. Snippy photo mosaic (Photojojo) 

8. Embroidery hoop weaving loom (Living Crafts Blog)

9. Lacey bolero (Joyfolie)

10. Pebbles and pinecones game (Michele Made Me)

11. Doily-print fabric made with photosensitive dye (How About Orange)

12. Personalized family necklace (Willowday)

10 things to sew into spring.

1- A frock with this gorgeous gathered neckline (Very Homemade)

2- Summer jammies from thrifted sheets (mmmcrafts)

3- Linen ruffle shorts (Homemade by Jill)

4- Pipe vault t-shirt dress (Tally's Treasury)

5- Easy potholder (Sew Country Chick)

6- Toddler harem pants (La Malediction du chat en carton)

7- Super easy fabric trays (Noodlehead)

8- Floor square cushion (dobleufa)

9- Garden gnome hat (Sew Country Chick)

10-  Interoffice envelope backpack (Kollabora)

Rabbit rage.

Rabbits are all the rage around here, thanks to Indigo and that lovely little cottontail who scoots around our front yard in the evening.

Rabbit finger puppets (Secret Agent Josephine)
Hop-up bunny puppets (mermag) 
Plaster bunny puppet (bkids) 
Felt bunny hand puppets (The Purl Bee) 
Bunny hand puppet (My Poppet)
Origami bunnies (Mama Moontime)
Bunny finger puppets (The Purl Bee) 
Babsie and Teensie printable paper puppets (Small For Big)
Printable Peter Rabbit notes (Gaddie and Tood)
Pipe cleaner bunny finger puppets (Craft Jr.)
Printable Peter Rabbit party toppers which we use as "rabbit money" (Gaddie and Tood) 
Mini felt bunnies (buzzmills) 
Easy origami rabbit head (Origami Resource Center)
White rock rabbit (Inna's Creations)
Origami bunny envelopes (Paper Kawaii)
Recycled mooshy belly bunny (Chez Beeper Baby)
Chibi rabbit tutorial (My Little Mochi)
Sitting rabbit plush (mairuru)
Jack rabbit softie pattern (The Mary Frances Project)

The birdie diaper clutch.

A work in progress which started as a gift for Isla but then I decided the colors were all wrong. The inside lining is a geometric flannel and the main fabric is a light gray sailcloth which I can't find anywhere anymore (that's what happens when your primary fabric source is the thrift store bin). I haven't decided whether to add snaps, velcro, or ironwood buttons for closing. If you'd like your own diaper clutch and have an idea in mind, try to custom order at my y.so.str8 shop- I love the challenge of bringing your vision to life.

DIY holiday headband.

Sewing baby blankets with minky fabric has left me with lots of minky scraps. Today, I stumbled upon a great use for these super-soft pieces in making holiday headbands.

SUPPLIES

Scrap minky fabric (I used ivory)
Sequin ribbon
A small strip of elastic 
Thread and sewing machine (I used green thread)

Pick up a scrap rectangle and stitch a line of sequins straight across the center of the fabric using a zigzag stitch. Stitch back across again using the zigzag to secure your sequins.

Then grab your minky, pick up the elastic, hold it up to the head for which you are stitching, and pin the elastic so it fits snugly around the head.

Remove the fabric and elastic and turn the minky with the wrong side up. Pin both sides in with one on top of the other (your sequin should run straight down the center of the other side). Make sure your elastic end is pinned between the layers of fabric.

Stitch around the edges of the folded and pinned minky and make sure to backstitch several times over the area with elastic (it needs a little extra securing).

My apologies for the image-less tutorial, but I didn't take all the right photos. It happens more than I like to admit.

Love letter #43: Stitchspirations from Jane Eyre with Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Charlotte Gainsbourg has the voice of a dove and the kind of beauty that never passes for merely "cute" or remotely pretty. Watching Jane Eyre (1996) last night left me longing for capes, cloaks, and long frocks that brush against my ankles. And a little Charlotte on the playlist. 

La Collectionneuse- Charlotte Gainsbourg

From the capelets to the long cloaks and the gorgeous white dressing gowns or nightgowns, the opportunities abound. 

For the tutorials and how-to's....
Sew a walking cloak (The Jane Austen Centre)
Knit cool cape (Pickles) 
White sheet hooded cloak (Mermag) 
A cape for all seasons (Imagine Childhood) 
Upcycled kids capelet (Project: Project) 
Little riding capelet (The Black Apple)
How to sew a capelet with pattern (Prudent Baby) 
Sweet little capelet (Sew Mama Sew) 
Audrey cape tutorial (Project Run and Play) 
Multi reversible cape (Lia's Space) 
Lacey bolero (Joy Folie)
Blair waldorf capelet (Ruffles and Stuff) 
1830's corded petticoat tutorial (Historically Dressed)
Capelet collar pattern (Sew Stylish) 
18th century style cloak (Romantic Historical Clothing) 
1820-1840 corset ( Koshka the Cat)
1790's wrap-front gown (American Duchess)
18th century petticoat (Koshka the Cat) 

For inspiration and admiration....
Poison ivy hooded cape (Stitchophrenia) 
A capelet for sister (Pretty Ditty) 
Corded petticoat (Koshka the Cat)
Boulevardier capelet (BHLDN) 
A Most Peculiar Mademoiselle 
Embroidered regency dress with pink spencer (Koshka the Cat) 
c. 1810 silk dress (Adventures of a Costumer) 

Inspirations from vintage Romanian children's books.

Whenever I'm looking for good folksy art and craft ideas, I pick up one of the many vintage (circa 1970's and 1980's) Romanian children's books hidden throughout the bookshelves of the castle. These images are from a version of the three little pigs.

This haystack, for instance, would make a great embroidery pattern or an inspiration for an applique wall hanging using dark threads quilted in straight stitches to "draw" the hay on a deeply tan-yellow fabric.

And this village tablecloth and table setting brings the Transylvanian pottery designs to the forefront. How lovely would this be as a wall hanging made from fabric? Or a quilt block? Or even a watercolor card?

Shannon's surprise.

Beautiful purples, I see babies in your future....

Seeing an old friend from grade school and high school today in the context of her current life with a great man and beautiful little girl made my day. Add to the pleasure of their company the fact that Shannon dropped off three bags stuffed with old clothes and fabrics from her mom's sewing room and you have one super-happy Alina.

The vintage fabric that just won't stop dancing through my head...

And then there was this super fantasticness....

Lo and behold- one bag even contained quilt squares and pieces. I feel as if there must be some mistake.... Surely Shannon picked up the wrong bag? This quilt is almost ready to roll somewhere gorgeous. Oh well, I'll just sit tight and stay excited until someone corrects a mistake in which all the good stuff ends up in my hands.  

The diy necklet.

My kids don't like coats. Or hats. Or all those other things that keep them warm in important place. Over time, I've learned to adjust to the disdain for movement-inhibiting winter clothing by improvising my own creations. One of my most important toddler adaptations- "that which solved many problems"- is the necklet. 

Milla has inherited Micah's necklet, and she wears it with pride. I can throw it in a bag along with hats and mittens and know that it keeps her neck and upper chest warm without putting on a full coat or a turtleneck which will make her feel too hot when we go back inside.

The necklet solves the problem of keeping a warm, woolen scarf around the neck of a child who is more likely to remove it and use it as a jump-rope or hanging vine. So I thought I'd share a super-simple necklet tutorial to help you get started. Of course, if you'd prefer to purchase a ready-made necklet, the y.so.str8 shop will be happy to accomodate your neck-warming needs this winter. Custom orders are encouraged.

The primary ingredient is old, tattered sweaters made from wool. It's a great way to keep the cashmere and let it brighten another year.

My necklet tutorial was sketched out last night by the dim, wavering light of a campfire but I hope you still find it useful. Hopefully, it brings a little campfire family time spirit your way.

To print this tutorial, click on the image, save it and then press print. If you'd like to purchase the necklet pictured, stop by the y.so.str8 shop at etsy. Custom orders are encouraged and delivered in less than two weeks- just in time for the December holidays.

Making beanbags with the girls.

Micah and Milla helped stuff fabric bean bags with beans for me. It's hard not to spill the beans.

But little hands cleaned them up just as quickly as they had spilled them..... The girls selected a fabric for their bean bags from the pile.

Help with the tiny details led to the creation of Milla's vintage sheet bean-bag.

Micah's secret flamboyance emerged in her fabric choice. "The flowers are dancing," she insisted.

Love letter #41: Must-make baby quilt tutorials.

Dreaming up a keepsake quilt for my sweet niece, Isla, who is due to make her out-of-womb appearance in early January. Basically, a baby quilt is a mini-quilt. Unless you are hamstrung without exact measurements, you can adapt any quilt tutorial to make a baby quilt. Here is what I have in my head right now. Choosing is sure to be a pickle.

Baby bunting banner quilt tutorial (Little Birdie Secrets)
Cheerful quilted playmat tutorial (the purl bee)
 Cutest quilt in a day (Sew Crafty Jess)
Dinner date block quilt tutorial (Film in the Fridge)
Dresden strip quilt tutorial (Reanna Lily Designs)
Feather bed quilt tutorial (Anna Maria Horner) P
 Firefly baby quilt tutorial (Canoe Ridge Creations) P
Heirloom cut chenille quilted baby blanket tutorial (Aesthetic Nest)
Katie's go-to quilt (katie did)
Missoni inspired baby quilt tutorial (Modern Quilt Guild)
 Modern chevron baby quilt tutorial (You Had Me At Bonjour)
Modern monogram baby quilt tutorial (Ucreate)
Neighborhood baby quilt (A Quilt Is Nice)
Pick up sticks quilt tutorial (Paul's Block Party)
Quillow tutorial (A Cuppa and A Catchup)
Quilt as you go strip quilt tutorial (A Cuppa and A Catch Up)
Scrap triangles quilt tutorial (Stitched In Color)
Stripey rag kids quilt tutorial (The Sweeter Side of Mommyhood)
Windowpane whole cloth baby quilt tutorial (the purl bee)
Wish come true quilt (Blooming poppies)
Wonky baby quilt tutorial (Moda Bake Shop) 
Wonky log cabin tutorial (Ellison Lane Quilts) 

And don't miss the free motion quilting tutorial and video from Prudent Baby. Or how to make rounded corners and straight line quilting tips from A Quilt Is Nice. You see, the truth is I would never have decided to sew a quilt for my niece if I had not been so inspired and encouraged by all the beauty beheld at the links above. Thank you.

Handmade holidays time....

A little lavender owl satchet makes the perfect gift for almost anyone.

And my hands have stayed busy creating new things every day. If you'd like to purchase some of the crafts and creations you've seen on this blog, take an online stroll over to my y.so.str8 shop. And feel free to contact me about custom orders for the holidays- I love to try and make your visions come to life.

The possibility of a micah dress.

As usual, my sewing modus operandi falls in ye old "balls to the wall" category. No pattern, no vision, just going on an inkling which one hopes will bloom.

Micah likes her Micah dress. And she makes a perfect muse for iron and lace, the steel magnolia, the southern fray of manners, conventions, and kamikaze kindnesses.

Even with all the fluff- and all that worship at the altar of pink princesses- Micah is anything but frivolous. The micah dress offers only the pretense of classic femininity with none of the symmetry or predictability that makes conventions so comforting to our parents and their generation. There is nothing as satisfying as sewing a one-off and watching it take flight.

A dwelling a day: The stitch shack.

day #4: the stitch shack

What came about when I was sorting my embroidery floss and preparing for handmade holidays this afternoon. The kids were super-busy with using leftover floss to make collages and add new colors of hair to their dolls and animals, so I did what I do when I have a minute or two....

How to make a digital memory quilt.

Reminiscing about our trip to Romania last October and realizing that what the photos lack is a common texture. Imagining a way to create a design board for a Romania-nostalgia memory quilt led me to playing around with Picnik, which will be closing in April and has therefore opened up its premium photo editing software to all of us for nada.

I uploaded a few inspriring Romania photos into a collage and then played around with effects. Specifically, I used "textures" under the effects tab to play around with different underlying textures, include cement and letter paper.

Using the "advanced modes" in textures allows you to overlay and bring out "difference", which adds to the psychadelic aged effect. (Did I just write "psychadelic aged"? I hope that's how my kids describe me when I'm growing dim in the years.)

Visualizing the colors in an upside-down sort of way revved my imagination- I could see patterns and opportunities in the images that were not available to my visual eye prior to play. Choosing textiles for this quilt will be amazing- I see now that I can even include tshirts with script, perhaps dying them for a contrast effect. Embroidery will be a must. So far, so beautiful...

How Max designed his first sewing pattern.

Continuing his conviction that little Milly is a wizard, Max has been urging me to stitch a pair of wizard pants for her. Continuing my tendecy to procrastinate, I've been using the excuse that I don't have a pattern for wizard pants to put off the sewing. Since Max is not one to be discouraged by such details, he took it upon himself to create a pattern for wizard pants which specifies cloth, thread color, and sewing machine (in this case, the overlock).

Max's wizard pant pattern.

Instructions from a Max who leaves little to fate.

He even provided a pattern for a matching wizard skirt. Note the "fringe".

A song and a stitch: Day #21.

Milla's pants were upcycled from a tattered old jersey tshirt.

My thoughtful model and muse.

Far from a fancy stitch- simple white thread.

She tucked the pants into her boots of her own volition. I love her style.

The song is a tribute to old gray tshirts, trains, and the color gray itself.

TRAIN LEAVING GRAY by Mason Jennings (mp3)

A song and a stitch: Day #20.

Little girls and dolls on my mind- every scrap of fabric and floss can be used to make a doll. Is doll-making addictive? Because I am in the throes of something...

HOLY CREATION by Kris Kristofferson (mp3)

A song and a stitch: Day #19.

Tino's parents have a horse ranch in Guatemala, so Tino drew this horseshoe and I "colored it in" with threads.

LOOK AT ME MAMA by John Buck Wilkin (mp3)

 

A song and a stitch: Day #18.

Tony the tiny worm made Milla quite happy this morning.

THE DREAMING MOON (Magnetic Fields Cover) by the Mooncreatures via LostLostLost

A song and a stitch: Day #17.

Meooow.

ELLE AIME LE CATCH by Ko and Josephine

A song and a stitch: Day #16.

Truly the most playful and easiest of the stitches so far. A little hat for a little girl.

OLD JOE JATTA by Bela Fleck (mp3)

A song and a stitch: Day #15.

A little tree on green felt using a new thread... Maybe a stuffed tree toy or maybe kindling, a handwarmer, something cozy.

A BROTHER WAS DEAD by Balthrop, Alabama (mp3)

From puppet to doll.

Two sides of the same doll.

Dolls are all the rage at the Coryell Castle right now. And the only trends I follow are those which originate and circulate through the Coryell Castle. So trendy ole me took a few fabric puppets which had lost their luster for the kids, stuffed them, and stitched them- tad dah. I am so enamored of the needle and thread.

Pretend you are an Indian.

Milla enjoyed playing Indian dress-up this morning. And I enjoyed watching her.

I wanted to let you in on a little secret... I have a visceral dislike for machine embroidered flowers and butterflies on store-bought clothes. Whenever we receive such clothing as a gift, I am forced by a strange demon to cover it up immediately.

Applique away your troubles.

If you have a similar demon in your life, here is one way to let in the sunshine. All you need is colorful thread, a piece of scrap fabric, your sewing machine, and dash of whimsy. Cut your scrap to fit over the offending flowers and stitch down the edges with a tight zigzag stitch. Then use your machine to make a tight zigzag spiral, turning fabric as you sew. 

A song and a stitch: Day #14.

Today's stitch is a little swaddle softie which came to life thanks to stumbles and stitches' tutorial. I found this vintage fabric at an estate sale, and couldn't resist a soft corduroy head cut from a pair of my favorite cords that recently passed into the realm of the unsalvageable.

Isn't the song appropriate? A crafting anthem, to be sure.

DIY by Keep Shelly in Athens

A song and a stitch: Day #13.

Today's song and stitch combines thread, rainy weather, an Alina from Pakistan, daydreams of my niece, and various shades of blue and orange.

FIX YOU (Coldplay cover) by Alina Ishaque (mp3)

A song and a stitch: Day #12.

I almost missed my stitch today after a langerous dinner at Bunica's. But Bunica was in a spunky mood and decided to teach me what can only be called "The Lydia Stitch". Such a fun, curvy stitch for flowers. I'm sure the stitch has another official name, but for me, it will always be my mother's stitch. What a beautiful treasure. The song can only follow the stitch...

ALL THE BEST (John Prine cover) by My Morning Jacket

A song and a stitch: Day #11.

I love feathers. And I love the expression "put a feather in your cap". 

A simple little stitch made while watching the kids play outside in the grass.

ANY WAY YOU WANT IT (Journey cover) by Eef Barzelay

A song and a stitch: Day #10.

Sometimes I think all babies look like little old men. Especially Milla when she sleeps.

My 4.5 minute stitch-fest today is a tribute to the very young and the very old. Alike.

HE WILL CALL YOU BABY by The Cowboy Junkies

A song and a stitch: Day #9.

Inspiration: A poem by Christina Rossetti and a book about Jacques Cousteau.

WHEN FISHES SET UMBRELLAS UP

         by Christina Rosetti

When fishes set umbrellas up

    If the rain-drops run,

Lizards will want parasols

    To shade them from the sun.

 

BLUE UMBRELLA by John Prine

A song and a stitch: Day #8.

Max drew a "crystal mining car carrying golden crystals" on fabric for me to stitch. Little eyes are so forgiving- he loved it so much I added it to a throw pillow sham for his bed. A coal for a little shepherd it shall be.

SHEPHERD'S DOINA from the album, Romania: The Romanian Lautari

A song and a stitch: Day #7.

The neverending sinus infection and the stitches that did not go as planned. I promised myself I would share my stitching "mishaps" as well as my happy endings. So here is a mishap. Blaming it on the rain...

DIE ANOTHER DAY (James Bond Theme) by Madonna

 

A song and a stitch: Day #6.

Early morning flowers that remind me of the flower crown I wore at my wedding.

MARRY SONG by Band of Horses

A song and a stitch: Day 5.

Max discovered yesterday that "buttons make good wheels". So today's stitch was for him. Wheels, Joe le Taxi, linen, and sturdy engineering.

ARKANASAS TRAVELLER by Wayne Henderson (mp3)

 

A song and a stitch: Day 4.

So many thanks, the best thing to brim over and splash the person next to you. And a warm sun whose affection made our walks cozy. Not more than 10 minutes for stitches, so sunshine yellow and surfboards it had to be.

YOU MAKE THE SUN FRY by Ty Seagull

If you'd like to join me in my stitching adventure, just look in the sidebar, add a badge, a link, and your own pizzazz.

 

A song and a stitch: Day 3.

KNOXVILLE GIRL by The Louvin Brothers

A song and a stitch continues today with Ellie's dog, which he so kindly drew on fabric for me last week. I'm not sure what to name him, but he seems like a friendly old soul, stitched by the dim light of Demetri Martin's chansons and jests.

A song and a stitch: Day 2.

Yesterday, I started my venture into posting a song and a stitch every day for 30 days. Today, on day 2, the virtues of self-discipline are beginning to pay dividends- starting and finishing my original stitch creation took much less time and prompting than yesterday.

If you'd like to join the fun, just copy this button and add it to your blog. You can link back to this post or just link to your first song and stitch post. Promise to let me know so I can enjoy your songs and stitches as well.

All these stitches will be used in the handmade holiday gifts I am currently creating- such a special addition to any cloth towel, dress, bag, or sewn object. It feels wonderful to know that they will be piling up in my little basket for the next month.

Enough "jibber-jabber", as Max would say. My song and stitch today grew from a tiny sparkling bead that resembled a rain drop plus bright green thread and a little longing for spring now that the days darken so quickly. I drew a three lines and then a little splay of dots at the end of each line. Thread and beads turned lines into a sprig.

And somewhere in the background....

DUET FOR GUITARS #3 by M. Ward

A song and a stitch: 30 days of original stitchings and songs.

For the next thirty days, I will post an original daily stitch emerging from my new experiments with threads, fabrics, and designs accompanied by an mp3 tune which speaks that stitch to me somehow. This is partly selfish- a little shove to help me finish all my handmade holiday gifts before the turn of the next century.

The first day brings a combination of experiments with the Romanian couching stitch and freeform improvisational play.

Navy blue linen and crawling, curly threads like the little hairs which escape the ponytail and hide out in little crevices around the nape.

THAT'S THE WAY by Led Zeppelin

This past week's beauties.

Using the Romanian couching stitch to outline various plants in our wildflower-pressed fabric.

Fall leaves as inspirations for skirts.

Max and Ellie set out on a fall scavenger hunt. They found almost everything... plus, a trail in the woods behind our house.

Constantino's delicious Guatemalan chicken soup to soothe the sore throat we so lovingly shared with him. And all the moments we get to have him in our lives.

A little treasure for our weekend. Robot dance party within.

My two-faced puppets.

Inspired by the honesty of my children, who haven't yet imbibed all the conventions which make a rainbow of feelings "inappropriate" for public consumption, my two-faced puppets currently sit on sticks in the dining room. Since a puppet theatre will probably be the Christmas gift for all three this year, making puppets seemed like a good idea.

Sally and Fred, two sides of the same puppet.

Max suggested using the puppets to talk to each other. What a great idea! Especially when what we want to say to each other is tinged by anger or frustration.

Picking up a puppet for those "roughish" conversations might be a great way to avoid saying hurtful things. For example:

"Max, I can't believe you did that."

"Mom, wait, let's talk with our puppets."

"Aargh... okay."

"And you have to use puppet voices".

You can imagine how using puppets to express frustration might make the expression a little less toxic. Why not?

Goodness Geisha and Blue Bayou.

Tristan and Isolde.

Upcycled cloth napkins tutorial with help from the kids.

The Coryell Castle officially switched from paper towels to cloth towels six months ago. I didn't think it was possible, but it has become a regular part of our lives to use and wash our cloth towels. So I thought we might be ready to move entirely to cloth napkins...

The only problem is that store-bought cloth napkins require folding and arranging- not a favorite for table-setting munchkins or mommies who loathe ironing. The solution? To create my own 2-ply napkins which only fold once and do not require any extra fluffing.

MATERIALS:

• A long, double-sided table runner (mine was 8-ft) 
• Scissors
• Thread (I used black for contrast and a folksy touch)
• Machine set to decorative stitch

Lay your runner out on the ground and encourage your kids to help you divide it into 10 pieces of (almost) equal size using a tape measure. Mark with a piece of chalk and cut.

Then take the 10 cut pieces over to your sewing machine and stitch up the sides on the outside of the runner. (You are leaving the edges to be frayed by a good run the washing machine and dryer.)

Now consider cooking that food that provides an opportunity to use your new napkins.

Slightly obsessed with embroidery and stitches.

I feel hot-pink about this stitching thing right now, and hot-pink marks a new phase in my emotional lexicon.

EMBROIDERY AND STITCHING HOW-TO'S + TUTORIALS

• Elemental embroidery (Purl Bee)
• All about needles (Feeling Stitchy)
• A beginner's embroidery project (Prudent Baby)
• Embroidery how-to for beginners of all ages (Shiny Happy World via Made By Joel)
• Hand embroidery basics by Jenny Hart (Sublime Stitching)
• How to cross stitch (Mochi Mochi Land)
• How to separate your floss without tangles (Feeling Stitchy)
• Embroidery sampler pillows tutorial (Purl Bee)
• Ladybird needlekeeper project and tutorial (Adventures in Thread)
• Christmas pattern embroidery tutorial (Needle in a Haystack via Living with Lindsay)
• Swedish weaving hand towel tutorial (Craftzine)
• Stumpwork beetle tutorial (Sew In Love)
• Aunt Pearl's drawer satchels (Feeling Stitchy)
• Embroidery paper transfer tutorial (Carina's Craft Blog)
• Tea time mug rug with embroidery pattern tutorial (Wild Olive)
• Two color embroidery tutorial (Purl Bee)
• Martryoshka ornament pattern and tutorial (My Sparkle)
• How to attach paillettes and beads (The Unbroken Thread)
• How to sew a biscornu (Eva-Maria Nerling)
• Cactus pin cushion (Craftbits)
• Owl embroidery wall hanging project (My Girlish Whims)
• Love letter tutorial (Lucy Kate Crafts)
• Stitch and sketch gift bag tutorial (Janeville)
• Felt robot brooch tutorial (Cut Out & Keep)
• Embroidered buttons (Feeling Stitchy)
• Lovebirds pillows tutorial and pattern (Creative Breathing)
• Baby name embroidery tutorial (Lines Across My Face)
• Shashiko tutorial (Purl Bee)
• Nat's wonky cross stitch tutorial (Feeling Stitchy)
• Japanese embroidery tutorial (Ishtar Olivera)
• Embroidery on felt tutorial (futuregirl)
• Beaded kamal kadai project (This and that... my random thoughts)
• Shadow work (This and that... my random thoughts)
• American variation on Shisha mirror work tutorial (The Trouble With Crafting)
• Electronic LED embroidery project (Make)
• Stitch your own pattern onto fabric (Freckled Nest)
• Embroidered shoes (Three Years of Death)
• Folk star ornament tutorial (The Trouble With Crafting)
• Wine stain embroidery (Truly Amelia)
• Embroidery on knit (Festo Tu)
• Embroidery hoop framing tutorial (Carina's Blog)
• Embroidered mushroom house tutorial (Creative Breathing)
• Four seasons bean bags tutorial (The Crafty CPA)

HOW TO MAKE CERTAIN STITCHES

• Backstitch (Thirty Handmade Days)
• Scottish Cretan stitch (Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials)
• Open Cretan stitch (Sarah Whittle)
• Feather stitch (Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials)
• Knotted broken chain stitch (Sadalas)
• Stem stitch for use with lettering (NeedleNThread)
• Bullion stitch (Southern Stitches)
• Palestrina (or double-knot) stitch (Sarah Whittle)
• Maidenhair stitch (Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials)
• Romanian couching stitch (big B)
• Swedish huck weaving stitches (Embroidery Methods)
• Ladder stitch (Sarah Whitte)
• Indian pachis work (This and that... my random thoughts)
• Open water stitch (Nuts About Needlepoint)
• French knots and faces (Wild Olive)
• Fly stitch, plaited fly stitch, and Muvvala stitch (This and that... my random thoughts)
• Punto antico bullion flowers (Italian Needlework)
• Chicken scratch lesson 1 (Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials)
• Chicken scratch lesson 2 (Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials)
• Kutchwork shisha tutorial lesson 1 (This and that... my random thoughts)
• Kutchwork shisha tutorial lesson 2 (This and that... my random thoughts)
• Fur stitch (This and that... my random thoughts)
• Stitch A-Z (Hand Embroidery Network)

FREE PATTERNS AND DESIGNS

• Russian dolls pattern (Hand Embroidery Network)
• Sombrero pattern (Wild Olive)
• Free stencils to download and use as patterns (Spraypaint Stencils)
• Hummingbird in nest pattern (Andrea Zuill's Blog)
• Small flower pattern (Carina's Craft Blog)
• Tarantula pattern (Hand Embroidery Network)
• Jelly beans pattern (Wild Olive)
• Happy ties and bowties pattern (Wild Olive)
• "All the arms we need" cross stitch pattern (Radical Cross Stitch)
• Windy girl pattern (French Knots)
• Simple cross stitch borders pattern (Free Patterns Online)
• Darling Dutch couple (French Knots)
• Blue flowers tapestry needlepoint chart (Design Crafty)
• Folk art fish pattern (Andrea Zuill's Blog)
• Alphabet and animals cross stitch patterns (Ulrika Erdes)
• Number 2 pencil pattern (Wild Olive)
• "When life seems gray just think again" cross stitch pattern (Free Patterns Online)
• Lowercase alphabet cross stitch pattern (Free Patterns Online)
• Coffee patterns (Wild Olive)
• Parterre de feu pattern (Carina's Blog)
• Numbers cross stitch pattern (Free Patterns Online)
• Trellis with border pattern (Mathilde Eschenbach's Charts)
• Blue and black bands cross stitch pattern (Mathilde Eschenbach's Charts)
• Eight-pointed star in octagon in square cross stitch pattern (Mathilde Eschenbach's Charts)
• Vintage girl and boy faces (French Knots)
• Cream puff pattern (Wild Olive via Danielle)
• Propitious pine pattern (Wild Olive)
• Impertinent birch log pattern (Wild Olive)
• Medieval Middle Eastern double running stitch pattern (Mathilde Eschenbach's Charts)
• Red and blue striped double running stitch band pattern (Mathilde Eschenbach's Charts)
• Zigzagging crosses pattern (Mathilde Eschenbach's Charts)
• Perservering pinecone pattern (Wild Olive)
• Ladylike fern pattern (Wild Olive)
• Hospitable cabin pattern (Wild Olive)
• Love in the middle pattern (Scissor Quirk via Wild Olive)
• Colonial woman pattern (French Knots)
• Daschund with holiday gift (Orang You Lucky)
• Cross pattern (NeedleNThread)
• "Look right" pattern (Wild Olive)
• Scarecrow with trees vintage pattern (French Knots)
• "Community radio rocks" cross stitch pattern (Radical Cross Stitch)
• Vintage horse (French Knots)
• Vintage edgings (French Knots)
• Sasha the seahorse pattern (futuregirl)
• "Chance made us sisters, hearts made us friends" cross stitch pattern (Free Patterns Online)
• Funky giraffe pattern (Andrea Zuill's Blog)
• Curvy butterfly (French Knots)
• Friendship bracelet pattern (Wild Olive)
• Chicken with head in bucket pattern (French Knots)
• Whimsical animals and flower patterns (Made By Joel)
• Dainty flower pattern (Claudia Marchan)
• Reboot America pattern (Radical Cross Stitch)
• Bushels of wheat with chickie (French Knots)
• Talia's friendship pattern (Wild Olive)
• Hungarian design pattern #6 (NeedleNThread)
• Sharon B's freehand embroidery patterns (pintangle)
• Ninja BOM with kite pattern (Kandra Young)
• Fruity segments pattern (Carina's Blog)
• Fabulous wildflower bouquet (French Knots)
• "One lump or two?" pattern (Wild Olive)
• Little jumping Joan pattern (Joey's Dream Garden)
• 6 floral motif patterns (Broderie D'Antan)
• "Riots not diets" pattern (Radical Cross Stitch)
• A big happy chicken cross stitch chart (Hancock's House of Happy)
• Emma Goldman cross stitch pattern (Radical Cross Stitch)
• 7 butterfly motifs and patterns (Broderie D'Antan)
• Mommy and baby whale pattern (Andrea Zuill's Blog)
• Victorian flower monograms pattern (Shawkl)
• Everything is coming up daisies retro pattern (French Knots)
• Day of the Dead sugar skull pattern (Elemental Stitches)
• Daisy edging pattern (French Knots)
• "Love ewe" subversive cross stitch chart (Hancock's House of Happy)
• Gothic grandeur hand and rose pattern (Sublime Stitching)
• Vitamin ball silly food musician (French Knots)
• Oscar the owl cross stitch pattern (DMC)
• Houseblocks pattern (Pieceocake)
• Tree embroidery landscape (Petite Famille Gouny)

INSPIRING STITCHING BLOGS

• Antique Pattern Library
• Apple and Eve
• Big B
• Colourful Research
• Craftivism Blog
• Donkeywolf
• Early Bird Special
• Embroidery As Art
• Fiberartsy
• Fibermania
• Fourteen Countess
• Gooseflesh
• Hardcore Stitch Corps
• June At Noon
• Manbroidery
• Mr. X Stitch
• Orna
• Pintangle
• Rabidcrafter
• Radical Cross Stitch
• Roxycraft
• Sewphie
• Sorrytown
• Spiritcloth
• Spoolspectrum
• Steotch
• Sternlab
• Sublime Stitching Blog
• Subversive Cross Stitch
• The Floss Box
• Two-handed Stitcher
• Wee Little Stitches
• Whatever James in Stitches
• Wild Olive

Slightly stolen from the amazing Steotch blog.

 

My embroidered-appliqued-upcycled couch pillow cover.

Our $30 thrifted couch is upholstered in whitish velvet- not always the best fabric for fort-building munchkins. Rather than keep the couch as a foreign country in our home, I've started slowly slipcovering it, cushion by cushion, piece by piece, pillow by pillow.

Yesterday included covering one long, slender pillow + vintage woven linen + black thread + a little stitched design on an old bed sheet + velcro (for the envelope back pillow because little ones love to remove pillows from pillow covers). 

Black stitches make me happy.

My embroidered creation, Doodlehead, seemed appropriate.

Milla can't stop touching and feeling the stitches- two birds warned with one stone now that she has a texture toy to explore.

How to embroider with the Romanian stitch.

A motif from a crewel-embroidered linen bedspread worked by Mary Breed in tones of pink, yellow, and green. Flowers and leaves are worked in Romanian stitch. Dated 1770.

Of course, my current book obsession includes a Romanian stitch- in the context of the American colonial period, no less. Examples of the Romanian stitch can be found on the crewel-embroidered bed hangings and chair coverings that decorated the home of American colonists. The stitch was actually favored for economy's sake since, unlike the satin stitch, very little thread is wasted on the back of the embroidery. The stitch is often referred to as "Oriental stitch", probably because it was used in designs inspired by Oriental motifs.

HOW TO DO THE ROMANIAN STITCH

Variations on the Romanian couching stitch.

For more on Romanian embroidery motifs and stitches:

• Eliznik's hat-tipping collection of illustrated Romanian stitches.
• Learn Romanian couching (scroll down after following link). 
• Another explanation of Romanian couching.
• A 42-second video demonstration of Romanian couching stitch.
• The wonders of red thread on white linen, a customary Romanian crewel and embroidery color choice.

Hungarian needlework stitch how-to.

Still transfixed by Susan Siegler's inspiring book of stitches.... And into my favorite world, the world of Eastern European folk art. By 1800, decorative folk costumes for special occasions, including weddings, church festivals, and christenings, became widespread in Eastern and Southcentral Europe. Geometric-type cross stitch patterns, handed down from generation to generation, transmitted folksay and customs.

The Peasant Happiness Motif from an Albanian or Montenegrin peasant gown, circa 18th-19th century.

This pattern, a cross surrounded by concentric circles, is frequently found on folk costumes and ceremonial clothing, including church shawls and baptism gowns. The cross pattern was one of the earliest tokens used to ward off the "evil eye" (or envy), and it was used to convey wishes for happiness and well-being.

Detail.

Detail of this design pattern.

More peasant stitching patterns from the book.

A how-to for the Hungarian Point canvas stitch.

Needlework inspirations from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I can't help thinking this book was meant for me. Discovered it among dust and doily-covered design books at a local used bookstore. The author, Susan Siegler, provides patterns and stitch guides for many of these pieces of art currently housed at the Met.

On the inside of the cover, there is a lovely sticker which explains that this book was donated by Adelee Winter and the Oak Leaf Stitchers. A book with its own history, a collection of stories and sentiments felt by others and upcycled into different forms by yours truly. 

Rainbow geometric from an Italian needlepoint sampler, dated 1760.

Indians in Feathered Headdresses from a Peruvian loop-stitch embroidery, Late Chimu culture, dated 1100-1400 A.D.

Chinese Mosaic from an embroidered fan case, dated 18th-19th century.

Jessica Lacher-Feldman's eye-popping needlework.

Lucky for me, my table at the craft fair was wedged between two stellar ladies, the seeds of what I hope will become the East Tuscaloosa Craft Cooperative, Mary Hussey (a.k.a. StitchhappyMama) and Jessica Lacher-Feldman, queen of wool, felting needles, trompe l'oeil, and eye-popping embroidery.

Jessica's felted wool acorns and beautiful embroidery creations.

I promised myself not to spend any money at the craft fair, but my self didn't realize how the tantalizing colors to my right would eventually wear down the iron resolve.... See for yourself why I broke my promise.

An owl by Jessica.

A happy yet dead head by Jessica.

Terrific textures and colors.

Sweet home Alabama.

And this is how I broke my promise. A little bit of David Bowie found its place on our wall today.