Embroidered Blossom Tree - The Finale!

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the big Finale of our Stitch by Stitch Mini Sew Along of the Embroidered Blossom Tree!

So far we have practiced our stitches, hooped up our fabric and begun to create our ttree.  You should by now have your Tree Base stitched in your chosen method (see here for options)

Now I had planned to show you my completed Embroideries, but due to a few personal issues (a car driving into our parked car and driving off to name one) I am a little delayed, but the fun thing with projects like this is there is no rush, it's all about slow stitching and enjoying the process.

I finished my Tree base, using the Long and Short stitch and chose darker shade so brown than my original, but I am super happy how it has turned out.  The process of adding stitches in this way I find quite therapeutic, not having to worry about following lines and just letting the stitches take the lead creating the detail and texture.

How is yours looking?  I'd love to see, so please tag me @michellecorbindesign on Instagram and use the hashtag #stitchbystitchsewalong

Now it's time to turn to finishing your Tree, by using your chosen colour (I chose pink) and filling in as much or as little blossom using French Knots as you like.

I personally like quite a lot, but it's your tree and you get to decide.  You might even decide to stitch on some beads instead or as well as sewing French Knots - it's really up to you!

If you haven't purchased your kit or pdf, you can buy them here:  The kit  or PDF

This is mine so far

I still need to add more blossom - how much?  I'm not sure, but I will keep going until I am happy.

Once your Tree is complete it's time to frame it.  If you can still see your traced lines you will need to remove them according to instructions.  I used a Frixion Pen very faintly and therefore I cannot see them as whilst I stitched I ensured that I covered them.  If you can still see yours though a light blast with a hairdryer should remove them if you are careful.

Ensure your fabric is nice and taught in your hoop and Trim around the excess fabric leaving an inch or two around.  Do a running stitch around this fabric to gather it up and secure it on the reverse of the hoop.  Place on the piece of circular felt (in your kit) and either stitch or glue it in place.  I like to stitch, but you could use hot glue if you prefer.  Add a ribbon to the hoop for hanging and Tadaaa!  It's all finished!

I'll be sure to post photos of mine when they are both finished on Social Media so I encourage you to do the same too.  (don't forget to use the hashtag)

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for sewing the Blossom Tree with me.  I hope you enjoyed it and I can't wait to see how yours turned out.

Much Love and Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

 

Let's Stitch our Tree - Week 2!!

 

Hello beautiful people - Happy Monday!

Welcome to week 2 of our Mini Stitch by Stitch Sew Along.

If you are just joining us, click on the bold letters above and it will take you to the first Blog in this Series, where I tell you all about it!

So this week. we are begining to stitch our Tree

As I explained last week, you have 4 options in which you can choose to stitch your Tree Base.

(see here)

I decided to do 2 examples, which are perfect to show you options.  Below, I have chosen the slow stitching method, which is explained in your instructions, so this one will be purely Hand Embroidery.  I have however deviated from the pattern outline a little and added my own branches and move a few - because, well I could - and you can too!

I'm still stitching my outline at the moment and next I will be stitching the long and short stitches, varying my colour shades to add the depth and texture to the Tree Trunk and Branches.  To see this in progress, keep an eye on my Instagram as I will be sharing some photos and videos there.

For the next Tree Example, I chose to be more creative, starting by painting the fabric first - the background and the Tree.  (I've used a heavier canvas fabric this time and I will show more next week) 

I have started to fill in the details of the Tree Base, using Free-Motion Machine Embroidery, I wanted to add more depth and texture, to show you a different element to that can be produced by design, therefore showing you how you can add more interest to the basic pattern enabling you to be as creative as you like.  There will be more progress on my Instagram this week.

I'm going to still use French Knots for the Blossom, as I really love sewing French Knots.

That's all for this week lovely people, I have shown you my progress, now show me yours.  Use the hashtag #stitchbystitchsewalong when you post on Social Media and don't forget to tag me @michellecorbindesign and I will check back here next week with our 3rd and Final Week.

Now 'sew' forth and create Happy Stitches!!

Michelle xx

Blossom Tree Mini Sew Along - Week One!!

 

Hello and Happy Monday to you!  Welcome to week one of our Mini Sew Along!

This week, we are going to begin with the basics, so if you haven't yet received your kit, have a good read through and if you have any supplies to hand, please feel free to join in and practice with us.

Not yet bought a kit or PDF Pattern?  

That's ok, you can buy the kit here

or the PDF Pattern here

and you can join in with the Sew Along at any time you wish.

We're going to start with the stitches.  Full details are in the instructions of how to create each stitch.  There are just 3 to master

In your kit you will find a small piece of linen with faint pencil lines on it.  If you don't have the kit, just choose a small piece of fabric from your stash - linen/cotton/calico will work best.

Cut off a piece of Embroidery Thread (Tip of finger to inside elbow length is recommended) Divide the thread into 3 strands and thread your needle.

Following your Instructions guide, practice your backstitch working along one of the pencil lines as shown here:

Now let's turn our attention to the Long and Short Stitch.  Follow your instructions to create your stitches, ensure each stitch is of different lengths in order to create a bark like effect as shown here:

*Note - each stitch should butt neatly to the one next to it to ensure you fill in the area.

It's now time to tackle the the French Knot.  Again use your instructions for guidance and follow along one of the lines on your practice piece.  You can vary the sizes by wrapping the thread more than 3 times, but do no more than 5.  I deally you want to wrap 2 - 3 times as shown in this photo:

Wrap thread round needle 3 times

Wrap thread round needle 2 times

Once you feel confident with the stitches we can turn our attention to preparing your fabric.  (If you are struggling with any of the stitches, don't worry, either practice some more, or see below for alternatives)

Taking your main piece of Linen/Cotton fabric, press it well - you may need to dampen it or add steam to press flat and reduce creasing.  Your iron should be med-hot, but do test it first on your fabric.

Next we need to take our template as we are now going to trace the outline onto the Linen/Cotton.  Follow your instructions how to do this, using a light box or a window.  Then place your fabric into your hoop and ensure the fabric is taught.

Your hoop is now ready for you to backstitch your outline and fill in with the long and short stitch.  Ensure you vary your threads as you go to add depth and texture.  Have fun and use your own artistic licence for this.

Alternative

As an alternative you could Applique your Tree Base.  In your kit you will have a piece of brown fabric and some fusible web.  Following the instructions, trace your tree outline, and bond it to the brown fabric.  Then cut it out and bond to your cotton/linen.  You can then stitch in either one of the methods below - practice on scrap first to ensure you are confident.

Hand Applique (beginner)

Use a Stabbing or running stitch  

Machine Applique (beginner to more confidedent)

With normal presser foot follow the outline with a straight stitch, being careful not to distort the points

(white thread used for you to see it)

Free-Motion Embroidery (advanced)

Drop your feed dogs, put on your darning foot or similar.  move your fabric so that the needle draws lines around the edges of the tree.  Get creative and move the fabric up and down to add thread lines for detail and perhaps swirl at the end of a branch to add more details.

Once you have practiced your techniques and you feel more confident, begin stitching your tree outline and don't forget to post your progess on social media with the hashtag #stitchbystitchsewalong

And don't forget to buy your kit or pdf pattern

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm with this and I can't wait to see your progress. 

I'll see you back here next Monday xx

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

Introducing My New Embroidery Kit - The Blossom Tree plus a Sew Along!!

Hello again - long time no write!  I hope that you are safe and well and having a year full of creativity and wellbeing, despite all the other goings on in the World.

Today, I would like to introduce you to my new Embroidered Blossom Tree Kit

It's been a long time coming as I had planned 3 years ago that Embroidery and Sewing Kits would be available, but I only managed the Ballerina available Here due to the fact that we moved house and lots of things were put aside including this Blossom Tree, which I am now - finally- pleased to announce that it is available Here

A little about the Kit

Your kit will include a 12" square of Linen or Cotton, an embroidery Needle, 8" Hoop and 4 DMC Threads for you to Hand Embroider your Tree.

Also included will be some brown Fabric and Bonding fabric to enable you to have the option of Appliqueing the Tree itself, using either Free Motion Embroidery or a small zigzag with your sewing machine.

Your kit will also include a handmade drawstring bag which you can use to store your work in progress project in to keep it clean and keep everything together.

In addition to the instructions, I am inviting you to join me here in a Stitch by Stitch Mini Sew Along.  

It will be a 3 week programme and each week I will share different information or steps to help you create your Blossom Tree, plus ideas on how you can make the tree your own.

The Sew Along will take place here on my Blog and will begin Next Monday 12th July 2021, but of course you can join in whenever you want to - there are no rules, well, other than to have fun!

The Schedule

The Sew Along as I said will begin here on my Blog on Monday 12th July and here's what you will need to do to prepare:

First of all you will need to purchase either the Kit - Available Here and they will be posted out to you as soon as possible, or you can purchase the PDF Pattern, which is Available Here and you will have immediate access, but you will have to source your own fabrics and notions yourself - perfect if you live outside of the UK

So, with all of that said, I will also be posting on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK and I would love for you to do so too by using the hashtag #stitchbystitchsewalong so that we can see our progress.

I can't wait to see yours, so let's get Stitching!

Much Love

Michelle xx

Make a Tool Roll in 10 Minutes

Today I want to share a really quick make, for you to store your paint brushes, pencils, knitting or crochet needles and more. 

So, I had been promising to make myself a Roll for my Artist Paint Brushes for quite some time now, but never had much time, to add seams and binding, so I put it off. My perfectionism always got the better of me, so I just didn't make one.

This is where Felt came in.  I had some wool felt in stock and as felt does not frey, it is the perfect fabric for this project.

So, gather the pens, brushes, or needles that you want to make a roll for and follow along.

*
Measure your longest tool.  Add approximately 10 cm, then lay out your tools side by side with a little space between each one and measure the width, plus 2cm.  This establishes the size of the back piece of your roll.  Draw it out on your felt and cut.
Mine measured 31 x 36 cm
*
Next, cut out another piece of felt the same width, by approximately half the height of your back piece.
Mine measured 15 x 36 cm.
*
Take a ruler and a water soluble pen, and draw vertical lines on the smaller front piece.  Make them wide enough so your tool will slot in once stitched.
For my brushes, they varied from  5cm, to 2.5cm, to 1.5cm.
*
Pin the front piece to the bottom (long edge to long edge) of the back piece.  Cut a piece of ribbon, or twine, whatever you have to hand measuring approximately 80cm in length.  Fold it in half and slot the folded edge sandwiched between your 2 pieces of felt and pin. (I placed mine in the right hand side)
*
Next, back stitch over the ribbon and sew around the perimeter of the whole piece and back stitch again at the ribbon.
*
Now Stitch your vertical lines from the top long edge of the top (smaller) piece of felt, back stitch and using straight stitch, sew to the bottom of your roll.  Back stitch again.  Repeat for every vertical line. Both pieces should now be stitched together with little slots, big enough for each tool you wish to store in it.

Lastly, fold down a flap, approximately 8cm from the top edge and press the fold in place with an iron.
*
Remove the water soluble pen with water, and once dry, pop in your brushes, pens or needles, roll up and tie the ribbon.

Voila!  Your quick project is done.

If you use this tutorial to create your own Tool Roll please tag me on Instagram @michellecorbindesign and use the Hashtag #michellemademestitch



Have a lovely day, and Happy Stitching



Michelle xxx



instagram.com/michellecorbindesign

DIY Cottage Style Pumpkin

Today I am going to show you how to make a beautiful Cottage Style Pumpkin, from an old woollen scarf.

You could also use an old jumper, or even some scraps of fabrics to create your pumpkins, but the main thing to take away, is to make them your own.  Add your own embellishments, have fun creating, use your imagination, and create the prettiest pumpkins to add to your own Home Decor, or gift for others to enjoy.

______________________________________________________________________

To create your pumpkin:

Do you own an old woollen scarf that you no longer wear?  Ever wondered what you could do with it?  Well, don't just discard it to landfill, why not re purpose it into pretty Cottage Style Pumpkins?

They are perfect for the Autumn/Fall season, to add to your cosy decor.

Follow my step by step instructions below, to find out how to make yours.

My scarf, made 11 pumpkins in total.

Step 1

Fold your scarf in half length ways, right sides together and pin in place.

Step 2

Stitch along the edge of your scarf leaving approximately 1/2 inch seam allowance, then divide your scarf into smaller sections and cut.  Mine were around 6 inches each.

Step 3

Gather one edge of one of your tubes around the circumference and pull tight to gather.  I used a double thread for this.  Repeat on all of your tubes.

Step 4

Secure your gathers with a few stitches and turn your pumpkin right sides out.  Repeat the same on the others too.

Step 5

Using Toy Stuffing or scraps of fabric, stuff each pumpkin.

Step 6

Now close the open end, using double thread and a gather stitch.  Secure with a few stitches.

Step 7

Using a strong thread (I used Embroidery thread), tie a knot at one end and insert your needle in from the top, right through until it comes out the centre bottom.  Wrap the thread around and reinsert to create the pumpkin sections (I created 7).  Pull tight and secure with a few stitches.

Step 8

Cut a strip of Burlap/Hessian and roll to create a stalk.  Use your glue gun to secure it.  I inserted some florist wire inside mine, so that I could mould it to shape.  Then glue it into the centre top hole.

Step 9 (Optional)

Cut out a couple of leaves from the Hessian/Burlap and glue to the top.  Glue some of the tassels from the scarf for added texture and add a bow made from a vintage lace.

Or

Embellish using whatever you have to hand

I hope you found this mini DIY useful and will enjoy creating your own Pumpkins.  Maybe you could use an old jumper or t-shirt to create some too?  And watch out for more on my Instagram, created with Liberty Scraps and Denim.

If you use this tutorial to create your own Pumpkins, please tag me on Instagram @michellecorbindesign and use the Hashtag #michellemademestitch

Have a lovely day, and Happy Stitching

Michelle xxx

 

I have Social Media Blues

Most of you who have followed me on Social Media for a while, will know that up until last year, I posted on Facebook and Instagram pretty much every day, quite often twice a day, and dipped in and out of Twitter and Pinterest.

I loved the buzz, the interaction and the community I had built.  Facebook did change in 2015 I think it was, but I found ways to keep my community interactive.  Then Instagram changed once Facebook took over, which changed the Algorithm and made it harder to be seen too.

Facebook was my first Social Media love, where I made my first online sale and it's where I have built a wonderful following, but as times have been changing I have also worked hard to increase my community on Instagram.  I'm still working on that, and I have recently purchased Hashtag Autentic by Sara Tasker (me and orla) to help with that - however, Facebook have recently announced new changes are afloat, and they don't sound very conducive to the world of small businesses. 

I'm a busy mum, working hard to look after my family, sew pretty things, and to promote my business as much as I can.  I have learnt so much since I began and I continue to learn, but the changes that regularly develop on Social Media Platforms, are incredibly hard for us 'Small Businsses' to keep up with at times and quite frankly - it's exhausting!

The new changes are said to decrease our posts from being seen even more, unless we create "amazing content" all of the time, which increases reactions, comments and shares.  These to be honest have always been important, but it looks like they will be even more significant or we will disappear in a puff of smoke!  Ok maybe not, but our posts just won't be seen. 

I just want to make pretty things and show them to you lol!!

Also, The Corbin Family decided to move house last year and life has changed.  The move was rough, with more than your average ups and downs, so my postings on Facebook and Instagram decreased as did my sewing hours.  I'm now trying hard to get back to where I was, but I've been struggling.

I have Social Media Blues!!

Overwhelmed with the work needed in the new house (it's a doer upper which needs lots of tlc), some personal family ups and downs, plus the getting back into the 'posting rhythm', the commenting and 'interacting rhythm' and generally finding the inspiration to post new amazing content every day, I just want to run away and hide instead!

Has something similar happened to you?  Will I ever lose these blues?  I miss the interaction and buzz it used to bring, but I just can't think what to post or comment anymore.  What is this "Amazing Content" and where will I find it?  Perhaps I'd best have another coffee and see if I can find it!!

If you have any top tips, to help me get out of my blues, please comment or email me info@michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Off to stitch something pretty now

Michelle xx