Friday, March 31, 2017

Working with Felt - French Knot

When I first tried making this stitch 9 years ago I have to confess how difficult it was for me at the time to make it. Felt craft books bought in Macau are mostly written in Chinese so It was even more challenging for me to understand it by just looking at the pictures. Embroidery vocabulary was something new to me back then so I didn't know how the stitches were called to look out for them in the internet!
They were my least favorite stitches to make. I just couldn't get them right so I just avoided them as much as I can and never included them in any of my works. But not until 3 years ago that I finally 'cracked' the riddle...and I'm blushing with embarrassment at this very moment while I type this. I can't believe how easy it is and how could I let pass so many years without really trying to get this right!


So, what are french knots?
French knots are little tiny knots that are made onto the surface of the felt or fabric. They're really great to add extra details and textures specially on small empty spaces on embroidery works, great way to add polka dot effect, works really well to make them as tiny doll's eyes or just fun sprinkles on that donut felt food!
I find it so much easier if french knots are done when the felt or fabric is stretched with the help of a embroidery hoop as you will need both hands to get this stitch done. Working on large pieces of felt/ fabric without the hoop is still manageable than working on tinier pieces as the fabric can shift around affecting the way your stitches look . This stitch demands a little bit of equal balance from your both hands to get it done perfectly. I know all of this sounds really scary and hard, but It's honestly very easy and I'll show you how! The trick is to maintain the same pulling strength of your thread equal on every stitch you made to make them look similar to each other. So, are you ready?

Materials:
Felt
Embroidery floss
Scissors
Embroidery hoop ( optional)

Step 1.
Insert needle from the back of the felt/ fabric. Wrap your thread 1 or 2 times around your needle. I like double wraps for a more "chubby" knot.


Step2.
While lightly pulling your thread, insert the needle right next to where you have came in the first step.


Step 3.
Are you still with me? ;P Continue to lightly pull the thread and pull the knot down onto the felt/fabric.


Step 4.
Continue to pull your thread and slide the needle through until it's completely out. 


Step 5.
Continue to pull your thread through until a perfect little swirly knot is formed! Easy, huh?



Now to end this tutorial, I wanted to share with you some pretty embroidery works using this stitch. Aren't they all gorgeous? Who knew with such tiny stitch you can actually create big and beautiful pieces of art!

Left - Monika Kinner - Whalen. Right -  Adventures in Stitching 
Top left - The Chest of Drawers. Top right - Jone Hallmark
Bottom left - Ambrosia Stitches . Bottom right - Sometimes is Wirl

 
So I hope you enjoy this month's embroidery basics! See you again soon with more tutorials 💙
Hugs and kisses,

Monday, March 27, 2017

Sunshine at last!



It seems that the gloomy weather is finally falling behind and It's a great opportunity for my beautiful Spring to come shine through. 
Took this photo this noon and this is my bedroom view... We wake up everyday to this beautiful "painting" that gives me the urge to go out and explore it. Down the hill is a small park called the Seac Pai Van Park...the home of 4 adorable giant pandas.. Yes, They're real... Big, cuddly, chubby pandas. My daughter calls it the Panda Park for short. The park has hiking trails that leads all the way up to the hill until the other side where the beach lays. I'm finding time to go out and get my adventurous side of me roam free but since that's not happening for now the other side of me wants to stay home and stay hooked up with some new work.
 Since I got a bit of spare time from the felts I finally took my sewing machine out of the box and started to get to know it better...experimenting it's functions and introducing myself to a whole new vocabulary. I've bought myself some fabrics and other sewing materials yesterday and started a new project that will remain my little secret for now. I'll show you all what it is some other time ;)

So till the next update <3
Stay well where ever you are. Till next time!

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

New Etsy Pattern - Easter / Spring Sugar Cookie Pattern Set

The shifting of weather, the sneezing frenzies and the changes of colors in our gardens only means one thing to me... Spring is finally here <3 But it also means another thing for my itching crafty hands... That another pattern is finally out!

Introducing you my Easter/ Spring set for this months Etsy Pattern! Oh boy, how I am in love with the softness of these colors!

My newest pattern set is finally listed so make a hop down there to get it! Hope you enjoy making them as much I enjoyed creating them for you <3 Ready for the Spring mood?






Find the pattern here.
Wishing you the loveliest of Springs! Stay well my friends <3

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's day to all my Celtic friends!


Bring the luck with you all year round... find the pattern of this little cute shamrock here.

Wishing a lovely lucky day!

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Free Pattern of the Month - Kitty Peanut Butter Toast Felt Brooch

It's that time of the month for another fun project!

Hope you have fun making her!


Materials:
- Main felts for the kitty toast
- Embroidery threads to match felts
- 2 pcs of 2mm round black beads for the eyes or you can make french knots if you don't have round beads.
- 2.5cm brooch
- felt scrap to cover the base of the brooch ( same color as the toast background)
- Universal Glue

Step 1.
Place the 'cat toast' cutout onto one 'cat toast background' cutout. Backstitch all around.


Step 2.
Applique stitch the 'peanut butter'.


Step 3.
To stitch on the beads for the eyes in their correct position, place the 'peanut butter' template on top of the peanut butter felt. Make sure the edges and curves are aligned correctly. Take a thicker needle and make a tiny hole on each of the template's eyes.


Step 4.
Take the water soluble pen and make dots through the tiny holes made previously.


Step 5.
Sew on the black round beads on the marked dots.


Step 6.
To make the nose, first make a tiny fly stitch in between the eyes.


Step 7.
Then make a tiny stitch on top of the fly stitch to form a tiny little triangle.


Step 8.
Fill in the triangle with the satin stitch if needed. Next, make a small fly stitch for the mouth.




Step 9.
Place the brooch on the back side of the other 'cat toast background'. Secure the brooch with the felt scrap with the applique stitch made on the top and on the bottom side.


Step 10.
Combine both 'cat toast background' cutouts and blanket stitch them together. Before completely shutting the toast,  go ahead and fill the kitty toast with a bit of polyfil if you like.


 And you're done!



My kitty toast is approx. 6cm x 4.5cm. Please click the link below to download the PDF for the exact measurements as mine or save the image below to allow you to resize it to any size you want :)






Wishing you lovelies a lovely week....By the way, can you smell Spring arriving soon?

Friday, March 10, 2017

New Etsy Pattern - Kitty Macaroon Sugar Cookie Charm

 I'm having so much fun making these little sugar cookie charms so I've decided to create another fun and sweet pattern for you all! Introducing you my little kitty macaroon charm that I'm sure you'll have a great time making her!




You can find the pattern here or click on my Etsy shop link on your right <3

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

W.I.P - A hint of Spring...

Since my little girl has started kindergarten this past February I have been child-free during the mornings.  My morning routine is very quiet and it feels very good to be able to work on my patterns and household chores in a more relaxed pace.

I'm currently working on my next Etsy pattern that will be released somewhere in the mid month. So for now, here's a little sneak on what's coming up ;) I guess the theme is pretty obvious!




Monday, March 6, 2017