Sunday 27 October 2013

Stitching Sundays 8

 I can't believe I have been joining in with Stitching Sundays for 8 weeks - where has the time gone?  So, on to my next project. 
This image was one I saw in a magazine showing someone's sitting room and my eye was immediately drawn to this appliqued cushion.  Ah, I thought, I could do this using little bits of felt!  So, off I went, made a background piece of felt, cut out leaf shapes, messed about with placement of said leaves and finally pinned them in place, fully intending to get them sewn.
 Here it is, pieces pinned, ready to sew.  There it sat...waiting...being ignored...moved round the room...for about a year...until Stitching Sundays happened and I finally decided to get on with it!  I was then faced with the decision of how would I sew the leaves on?  Would I add any stitching to the background?  If so, what? I scanned the felt into my computer and printed out four little versions, so that I could draw on top of them.  This was something I did a lot of when I did my art course, and I found it really useful.
 Above are the first two designs drawn on.  The top one shows different decorative patterns on the leaves.  The second shows a stitched background line, joining the leaves together.
 The third one shows a spiral effect on the background and the final one shows more lines on the background, giving a 'bunch of flowers' look.  After some deliberation, because I do like the spiral background, I (with Chris' help) decided on the second version - the lines sewn on the background, joining the leaves together.  I am going to make something using the spirals though, but that's for a future project.  It was really helpful to see the designs, without having stitched anything that would need to be undone.
So, having decided on the design, I am stitching the leaves on, using a sort of stab stitch. I have just completed the yellow and brown leaves on the top row.  I think I am going to enjoy this project, even if I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with the finished piece...centre piece of a cushion cover, or a bag, or just framed as it is...

14 comments:

  1. What a fantastic method for choosing a design! I'm going to remember that one, very clever...I love the leaves, the colours are gorgeous, and the design you decided on was my fave of them all! I look forward to seeing more! Chrissie x

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    1. Thanks, Chrissie. It is a very useful process for trying out ideas and seeing which you like best or which works best. I am enjoying working with my felt again and it is great to finally get round to completing these projects!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. what a clever way to work out the design. Looking forward to seeing it sewn up.

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    1. Thanks leeanne. I often use this process when seeing how something will look - much easier than sewing it and then having to undo it all because it didn't work!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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    1. Thanks, Anne. It is a project I have been meaning to do for quite some time, so it is great to finally get on with it (even if I haven't quite decided what the end product will be).
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. I do like this, can't wait to see it finished :)

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    1. Thanks, Annie. I am looking forward to seeing the end result too - especially as it has been on my ever-expanding 'to do' list for so long. I like the mix of colours - it makes me feel happy!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. (I think I forgot to publish the message I just left you Ellie, so better re-do just in case!)
    I really love what you've done here and was really interested in the process you went through before arriving at your final decision, which is the one I would have chosen too, incidentally!
    This is a beautiful piece of art Ellie, and you are a very clever girl; I'm so looking forward to seeing the finished project.
    Wishing you the best, Joy x

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    1. Thanks, Joy. I'm glad we chose that version too - I think it will work well. Sometimes it is really helpful to see different versions and then you can be sure you've chosen the right one. I am really enjoying this project so far.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. Good of you to actually finish this project! And it's definitly worth it too!
    Very pretty so far....
    Love from Mirjam.

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    1. Thanks, Mirjam. I am so pleased to have finally got round to this project which has been ignored for quite some time! I do like the colours on it.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  7. Oh Ellie, I LOVE this!!! It is going to be so beautiful and I think it is great that you are getting around to finishing it off. We all have projects lurking for more than a year, in fact I have some cushions that I intend to finish before Christmas, if at all possible. I love the colours you chose, but also I think using some stitching will make this extra special. What a beautiful and very clever project. Enjoy your stitching xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Hannapat. I am really pleased to finally be working on this project. There are, of course, many others lurking around too, but one step at a time! I hope the stitching will be effective. I hope you manage to get your cushions finished too!
      Have a good week.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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