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

Keepsake Bunnies

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Creating Keepsake Bunnies, is something I enjoy doing very much.  I love the whole process from start to finish.

Sisterly Love
Both hold special memories

 Being ask to create something from some outfits and blankets, that hold special memories in the owners heart, is always an honour, and to be trusted with these special garments was just that.

A Flower Girl Dress worn by big sister to mums wedding
A dress big sister bought for little sister
Little sisters Baby Blanket

See how these Little Bunny Keepakes Began

The Process:

A sketch and a plan for layout and design

Next comes the details.  Carefully unpicking the details from the garments, placing and cutting the pattern, then adding the embroidery and appliqué.

Keepsake Bunnies are then born

Nicole's was predominantly made from her beloved Baby Blanket
Details were picked out and appliquéd to the body and ears
A little part of the dress big sister bought her, was used on the ears
Hand embroidered details were added for those finishing touches

True memories wrapped up in a Button Jointed Bunny xx 

Chloe's was created, using her Flower Girl Dress form the '90s
Picking out the details, so it still looked like the dress.
Lace overlay some of the fabric for more interest.
Parts of the dress she bought for her little sister was added for interest, details and of course memories.
A little part of Nicole's blanket was added for the ears, as a special touch.

True memories wrapped up in on Original Keepsake Bunny xx



See how I create another Original Keepsake Bunny here

From every cut and stitch, each one is carefully tailored to suit the client's needs. 

Michelle Corbin Design - Find me on Facebook
Maker of all things to treasure, from Keepsakes to Soft Furnishings

Thank You for reading
Happy Stitching
Michelle xx

*Little Bunny Keepsakes, are 'sit on the shelf' items and are not suitable as toys, due to the fabric and small parts used.  They should not be left with a child under the age of 14.  They are a Collectable, potential Heirloom, which should bring lots of your love and memories to life*

Creating a Keepsake Bunny

Bespoke Sewing.......................exquisite hand-finished keepsake gifts and home furnishings

Creating a Keepsake Item, takes care and precision to create something to enable you to treasure those special memories.

Here I am going to break down the process a little, to help you get a better understanding of what exactly goes into making such a special item.

Firstly, the outfits, dresses, trousers or baby gro's are sent, and are laid out for inspiration, which is followed by a sketch of the design.

Each item is then carefully unpicked, trimmed and prepared for the next stage.  Legs, arms, head ears body and tail are all carefully cut out, ready for construction.

Once the arms and legs are stitched, they are then stuffed - To stuff one leg, it takes 20mins!!

They are then stitched onto the body, once the head and ears have been attached.  This process, is quite tricky, and can take a while to get everything precise.

The head is then stuffed and the detailed face is embroidered, adding character and life to the Bunny.

Next it's the body's turn to be stuffed and hand stitched to close.  This is then followed by adding the tail and the finishing special touches.

A beautiful Bunny has now been born.  

Altogether, they take anything from 8 - 12 hours to fully complete, depending on the outfit combinations sent and the details and specifications required.

I think you will agree though, that all of the effort is very much worth it.

For this particular Commission, a Keepsake Journal and Tooth Fairy Cushion were also created to match.  Now Grace has a full collection of Keepsakes, that she can treasure for many years to come, and share her memories with her mum and family.

Little Bunny Keepsake

I hope you like her - the perfect Keepsake

See what else I make at mchellecorbindesign.co.uk


Happy Stitching

Michelle x

A Keepsake Competition

Do you have a budding Picasso?  Are they aged between 2 and 8?

Yes?

Then would you like to WIN a Keepsake Canvas, created from your child's drawing?

Ask your child to draw a Simple Picture of Him/Herself and their siblings (if any), onto plain A5 paper.

* If your child has no siblings, parents or flowers may be used to substitute *

Scan the drawing and Email it to me at michelle@michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Please ensure your child's name and age is included in your email, along with your name and contact details

Permission to use the drawing on my Facebook Page will be required, however yours and your child's name will not appear during voting. 

The canvas will be 20 x 20 cm and will be Appliquéd and Hand Embroidered, copying the details that your child has captured.  

I will then post each photo onto my Facebook Page, where I will ask my followers to vote for their favourite drawing. 

The competition will run through until 3rd April 2015 (Good Friday) and I will announce the winner on Monday 6th April.

This competition, is only open to UK residence

Michelle Corbin Design maker of all things to treasure

Thank you for reading and Good Luck

Happy Drawing

Michelle xx

Click here to see the Competition Entries over on my Facebook page

A Day of Sewing with Imogen Allen and Jane Lightfoot

It all started back in December, when Imogen from Imogen Allen Designs messaged me to ask if I fancied joining her on 1 Day Course with Jane Lightfoot Designs.  Imogen and I became friends over a year ago on Facebook, chatting about our pages and work, so I jumped at the chance a) to finally meet her, and b) to meet Jane and learn a relatively new experience.

Jane, Imogen and Michelle

     So I set off on my journey at 7.30am and drove down the A1 to Janes lovely home, where I was warmly welcomed by Jane, introduced to Imogen, and a coffee and home made flapjack!

Jane promptly set to, into describing what we were going to be doing.  We had booked to make a Note Book Cover which was to be embellished by Free-Motion machine embroidery.

We began choosing a design and the fabrics we were to use, then prepared them ready for stitching

Jane encouraged us to practice the Free-motion Embroidery first, 

before attempting our books.  Once we felt confident and comfortable, we went for it, and our books began to take shape

We broke for lunch around 1pm, and what a Lunch Spread it was!  Jane had been busy baking prior to our visit and so we were greeted with the most delicious Quiche, accompanied with salad, ham and home made chutney, followed by carrot cake and scone (with clotted cream and - oh yes - home made jam!)

After lunch we went back to the sewing room, to continue on with our projects.  Jane was very encouraging throughout, and gave us both lots of new tips to help us achieve a good result.

Of course, not all of our time was spent sewing, as we had all just officially met for the first time, we did chat, quite a lot.  It was so lovely to spend a day, sewing with like minded ladies, exchanging ideas and tips.

Imogen and I admired Jane's work, which was beautifully distributed around her house and in her beautiful sewing room.  Her work is truly stunning.  The detail and quality is just amazing.

We took the odd Selfie!!

But mostly, we just enjoyed the full day of sewing

Imogens Finished Book

Imogen hadn't done Free-Motion Embroidery before, but is super talented in Hand Embroidery and Machine Applique.  She made a fantastic design and beautifully sewn book, you'd never know she had never used this technique before, it's just incredible!

My Finished Book

I had dabbled with Free-Motion Embroidery, so had the basics, but Jane encouraged me to be a little more free with it, and a little less critical of myself!  I am really quite pleased with my book

The night prior to the course, I handmade two Fabric Cupcakes.  I felt I didn't want to go empty handed, and so I began to sew one each for Jane and Imogen.  Funnily enough Imogen had thought the same too, and made Jane and I a Bunting shaped banner, complete with our initials - this one is mine - isn't it stunning?

And Jane gave Imogen and I a jar each of Home made Jam!

All in all, it was an amazing day.  It  was so wonderful to meet two fantastically talented ladies in one day, and to have have the opportunity to sew with them - words fail.

I went to bed a very happy cookie

Imogen Allen Designs has a wonderful page on Facebook, why not pop over and have a look at her work

Jane Lightfoot Designs also has a fantastic page on Facebook, and I highly recommend you take a look at her page too, and if you too fancy doing a sewing workshop, Jane is a fantastic teacher, I can't recommend her enough

Michelle Corbin Design and this is my Facebook page

Thank you for reading

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx