With 'secret' sewing projects wrapped up for now, this Pineapple block quilt is back ON the sewing table.
Progress is slow. . . I am able to finish the swirly ditch-quilting on 2 or 3 blocks in a weekday morning sewing session. Nine blocks to go, or at least three more days. Then I'll have to decide how to finish up the quilting in the sashes and borders.
In other words, not done, but getting there.
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I've mentioned this stitchy project a few times recently. Last week I showed you my progress on the left side panel along with a couple do-overs on the right panel.
This project has been more OFF than on since I started it. I just didn't get my stitching mojo going for quite sometime after I decided to start this.
At the beginning of this year, my embroidery guild sponsored a 100-day challenge. Stitch at least one stitch each day for the first 100 days of the year. Everyone could decide which projects they wanted to work on. Most people finished up a bunch of different projects. I decided the challenge wasn't complete (for me) unless I stitched on this project.
This stitch sampler consists of two panels, filled with a variety of stitches, that would then become a notions booklet. I found a great piece of cloth on a road trip to a stitchy store just before the pandemic shut things down last year. I upsized the project from a notions booklet to a sewing pouch with the two-panel piece for the outside of the pouch, and zippered pouches in the middle.
I kept track of the various stitches I used on a copy of the original border layout. I should probably formalize this somehow and keep it in one of the pockets. Otherwise, I'll never remember all the stitch names.
Some of the stitches are more needlepoint-y than embroidery. The light blue stitches in the center in the photos below are 5-stitch square Jessicas. It's not unusual to take advantage of the center space in each Jessica to add a bead or sequin. I scouted out a few seed beads from my collection. The beads are a little bulkier than what I had in mind, but they'll do. And they add a different type of texture than the stitches.
I can't decide which is my favorite stitch on the whole thing. I really like the quilty feel of these blue padded scotch stitches. Above the chain stitch are three rows of Overlaid Oblong Crosses. I think these rank among my favs.
The panels are now OFF the slate frame, they are pressed, and they are ready to be finished into the pouch. Oh, and I should mention, I completed the stitching in a marathon session on day 99, then added the beads to the Jessica row on day 100 of the challenge. Mission accomplished. I did miss two days of stitching early on during the holiday season. I made up for it.
I believe I have the perfect fabric on order that I can use to finish the pouch. But I have to WAIT for it to arrive before I can proceed.
Meanwhile, I got some happy mail last week when these colorful zips arrived. Zippers are part of the plan for the panel/pouch project. But there's more than enough here for other fun-ness.
What do you think I should make with these?
Happy Stitching!
Joan Ford
Head Hummingbird
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