The Stitch Up

Wrapping Up Summer WIPs

The end of summer is fast approaching and I’m happy to report I did finish a couple of the projects I've been working on.

First up, I FINALLY finished my Mountmellick project:

Overall I’m happy with the way the purse came out and I think Mountmellick is one of my favorite embroidery techniques.  I’ll definitely be doing another Mountmellick project soon.  However, my finishing work leaves a little to be desired. I think juggling multiple WIPs can result in my just trying to finish one or two of the items I’m working on rather than focusing on just one item until it’s done.  I would have a more refined result if I was willing to rip out bad stitching and start again when something goes wrong. In this instance, my attachment of the purse frame to the exterior and interior purse design is a bit sloppy since I was forcing it all to fit.  You can see it in the photos of the interior:

Ultimately I do have to be honest about how I craft and the truth is I just get bored sometimes with one project and I need to pause and work on something else. After I've started and stopped a few projects there’s a point where my craft room gets messy and disorganized with various half done projects I'm working on and I realize I have to crack down and actually finish a few.  My plan is to find a way to organize my disorganization so I'm less stressed about the various projects I'm juggling.  Thankfully, a lot of crafters seem to have this same problem and I've found some suggestions to corral the chaos.  I'll try out a few and share any that seem to work!

Next, I also finished weaving the pink scarf I was working on. This is the second project I started in the weaving class I took in January. I love weaving! The casting on process is still going to be a learning curve for me, but I’ve found some good resources on youtube and I've been checking out the blog Hello Hydrangea  which has a lot of amazing tutorials so I’m hoping to slowly progress with this new technique.  My goal is to make some gifts for the holidays – I’m thinking dish towels or something similar.

I also fit in a quick project for my friends. I’ve been trying my hand at macramé and had seen some cute car air fresheners I wanted to make. I have two friends with birthdays coming up and decided to make this cute craft for all my ladies.

I’m still learning the various macramé knots and the process of learning knots has taught me a bit about how I learn things in general. There are some GREAT youtube videos which helped me understand the whole process for making the air fresheners. However, I often need some kind of illustration when I’m learning a new knot. I need a real step by step this string goes over this string’ type of explanation to really understand what to do. Once it all makes sense to me thanks to the diagram, I can follow along with a video. And can I just say there is such an art to making a great video or written tutorial. I’m so appreciative of people who can take a detailed process and explain it so that others can follow along. The awesome video I used for this macramé car air freshener is from Macrame Princess here.

Lastly, I started a new project (of course) because I just can’t help myself.

I'm starting on a Sashiko Quilt.   This is actually turning out to be a fun project and the process of using sashiko embroidery for each square is a pretty quick process. It’s also fairly portable as I can just stick one or two squares in my purse and stitch whenever I have a spare moment. It will take some time to finish all the squares I need for a complete quilt, but I’m off to a good start.

I still need to calculate exactly the number of squares to complete the quilt but I kind of changed my concept once I pulled everything out and put it together. My original plan was to do one side of the quilt in just Sashiko embroidered squares and then on the back use a couple Tenugui Towels I’ve bought at Japanese book stores in the past. However, once I pulled everything out, it really made more sense and creates a much cooler look to use the blue and white Tenugui Towel I have with the squares I’m embroidering in white and then on the flip side, go with the colorful Tenugui towel I have which I plan to partner with embroidered squares in bright pinks, blues and purples.

And that brings me to the end of summer and starting to inch toward fall. Soon I know I’m going to get the itch to start on some knitting or crochet projects so, once again I need to shake my tail feathers to get a couple more things done before diving into new projects. I hope everyone is enjoying the end of Summer, looking forward to Fall and progressing on all of the projects you might be juggling!

Crafty Status Check

I know the saying is that 'time flies when you're having fun' but it also seems to fly when you're just working and meeting deadlines.  I always feel like I should have more to show – craft-wise – after more than a month since my last post.  Truthfully, I've been working away on a few things, but my day job and some back yard projects have been taking up the bulk of my time.  That said, I wanted to update the blog with my current WIPs and upcoming projects.

I HAVE completed one project - the “travel project” from my Texas trip. I turned the embroidered piece into a textile necklace.  I'm happy with the end result but I learned a lot of things for my next "jewelry" project.

After I finished stitching the pattern I designed, I used some fabric glue to attach it to a cream colored felt.  It gives it a bit more structure and gave me a way to attach a necklace cord.  I outlined the design to reinforce the attached backing.  I used black embroidery thread for the outline which had the added benefit of giving the design a bit more pop as well. 

I wasn't quite sure about attaching cording or chain, so I ordered necklace cords in a variety of colors and sizes to see what color and texture looked best with the design.  I decided to use a black cord that I cut in half and stitched to each side of the design.  It worked but I did not anticipate the cord fraying like it did so I ended up doing a combination of glueing and stitching the cord to the back of the design.  The next time I do this I will use more of a formal connecting ring or something for the cording.  I enjoyed this process enough to read up on it a bit and try a few different things until I get it right.

I am SO close to finishing the Mountmellick purse is as well.  I’ve sewn the outside and inside purse panels together and now it’s just a matter of sewing in the purse frame.  My problem with THAT is I did not fully understand the process to attach the purse frame - which - honestly is not exactly difficult.  But I thought the frame would be attached on the inside of the purse and I could fudge a bit with the size, but it's actually attached to the outside of the bag which made it obvious that I had ordered the wrong size purse frame.

I am a big proponent of guiding principles in sewing such as "measure twice, cut once".  Everything works better if you read all the instructions, work with precision and follow directions.  But I am also the great granddaughter of Ida Tunnell and her more organic, "It'll Never Be Seen On A Galloping Horse" type of crafting, so sometimes I have to learn the hard way.  The lesson here is that with purses that utilize a frame you should really be making your purse pattern around the frame rather than making the purse and trying to find a frame to fit it later.  WHICH I KNOW NOW.  I think I've found a frame on etsy that will work and the purse will come out cute despite the hiccups.

While wrapping these two projects up I’ve been fitting in some time to work on my second weaving project.  It’s basically set up to be a scarf although I might see if there’s some other way to use it.  I do want to experiment with embroidery on weaving so I might use this finished project to try out some different techniques.  I also finished another square for my "Spanish Ladies" quilt and did a couple of “quickie” up-cycling projects.  

I’ve been collecting patches from places we visit over the years and also some patches that I’ve seen when shopping that I just find cute.  I used them for fancy up two items.  I used a beautiful bird patch I found at World Market to class up an older blazer that I don’t wear much anymore but I think I’ll get a lot more use from now!

Most of the other patches I put on a denim jacket that I bought on Thrifted.  I love that this is kind of a wearable souvenir display.  There are patches from our recent trip in Texas, from Vegas trips, New York and other spots.  Plus I'll also be attaching patches that I make, like the swallow tattoo design that was a previous "travel project".  

I’m excited to keep adding to this with more patches from future trips.

Summer took a while to get going this year, but it has officially arrived and we are soaking up the sun.  We’ve been fitting in some pool time and grilling every chance we get.  I really love to slow down and spend time outside once the great weather starts so I focus on portable projects I can take outside on the patio or to the pool.  My next project is going to be a Sashiko quilt.  I’m planning to use denim I’ve up-cycled from jeans we don’t wear anymore that I’ve cut up into squares.  To start off and kind of "learn" the process I bought a cool pre-printed Sashiko kit on Etsy.  It comes with everything you need to start.  I'm finding it's a different way of working with thread.  My plan is to use this for the back of the quilt along with some really cute printed "tenugui towels" I've bought.  The Sashiko process requires some practice to try and get the stitch lengths equal and thats working WITH a preprinted pattern.  I think this is a good way to kick off learning this technique and it's helping me work up the confidence to try some free form designs for the front of quilt squares.

I hope everyone is enjoying great weather and finding time to stitch in the sun!

Circling Back - Way Back

I know that it takes me a while to get back to projects that I've started, but this one more or less goes back 13 years, which seems kind of crazy.  I posted about our trip to Ireland back in 2009 (!) and the day trip I took while we were there to Mountmellick in County Laois.  The purpose of the trip was to take a class on Mountmellick embroidery at the Mountmellick Development Association and it was wonderful.  I'll let you go back in time to that old post if you'd like to read a bit about the class.

After finishing up the project I started in the class (it only took a year to finish it)  I intended to create my own "Mountmellick" project.  In 2019 I created a design that I had hoped to submit to the Mountmellick Embroidery Competition, but, as often happens, I cut it a bit close and didn't finish.  The project I intended to submit is a purse.  I finished one side, then put it away to work on some Christmas crafts and didn't take it out again until now.

Looking back through the blog I realized I didn't write anything about the design, what my plan was or how it relates to the traditions of Mountmellick embroidery or the class I took back in 2009.  So, as I'm picking this project back up, I'll try to remedy that now.

Essentially, in reading about Mountmellick embroidery and in my discussions with the instructor, I learned that the motifs used are usually inspired by nature.  I wanted to create something that, while referencing the Mountmellick embroidery designs I saw in Ireland, incorporated the flowers that are distinct to my region.  So my design is daffodils and cherry blossoms - with a few leafs and berries thrown in for effect.

I managed to finish one side before packing this away and "past me" did "future me" a solid by making a stitch guide I could use when I picked this back up again.

I wanted to use at least one of the stitches that is specific to Mountmellick embroidery, so I've used the Mountmellick stitch here along with stem, satin, french knot and coral stitch.

I've got the first few stitches going on the second side.  It actually stitches up pretty quickly which is great, but doesn't really explain why it's taken me so long to finish it in the first place.  I think it's primarily the never ending list of projects I want to work on and the battle to focus on them one at a time.

For this one, once I'm done with this side, I'm hoping to line it with a fun fabric that will give it a pop of color when you open the bag.  As I'm working on it, I'd like to focus on some history of Mountmellick embroidery and provide links to some great resources.  Look for that next time when I update on this project.

 

Summer WIPs

I've added a few progress bars to the blog in an effort to keep myself accountable.  I"m listing 3 of the DOZENS of projects that I've started but haven't gotten around to finishing yet.  These should change as I get through each project and move to the next.  I'm hoping to use that endorphin rush from crossing off "to dos"  to my WIP list and plow through some of these more quickly than I have been.

WIP #1 is my design for the Mountmellick Embroidery Competition - the finished project is due in Ireland on September 16th so I am cutting it a bit close.  However my design is on the smaller side, so I think I can get it done.

WIP #2 is a Christmas project.  My friend and I made a plan to each create a Christmas elf and exchange them.  We're using the same basic supplies and then adding our own little flair.

I have a plan and I've got a few patterns to use.  I'm going to try and give some updates on this project without doing a reveal until I can send the finished project to my girlfriend.  I've never made doll clothes or anything similar so this will be a something totally new for me.

WIP #3 is a sampler I've been working on here and there for over a year.  I'm a little more than half way done depending on whether I decide to leave the horse just outlined or fill it in.

The first two WIPS have definite due dates - this is just one I'd like to get complete before I move on to the next project.  

Let's see if the progress bars are as motivating as I hope!

 

Progress

I've actually managed to complete a couple of projects recently.  First, a fairly decent outcome on my first attempt to knit a scarf.

The yarn is beautiful and made even the simple pattern I used look good.

Second, I finally finished the Mountmellick embroidery project that I started over a year ago on our trip to Ireland.  

I was able to try out the stitches I learned.  The Mountmellick stitch:

I like it for stems as it looks a little thorny!  Also the cable plait stitch:

I'd like to try this stitch on something a bit larger, but I like the way it came out.

I have - as usual - started two or three other projects within minutes of finishing these two.  I"m a glutton for punishment!  I've got a mix of embroidery, knitting and quilting happening.  In the spirit of focusing this year I'm trying to finish them one at time.  We'll see how it goes!

 

Focus

I've been reading around a few blogs that are choosing to pick a word to inspire them for 2011 rather than making a list of resolutions.  I thought this might work better for me as well.  I'm realizing that I've been a little scattered and my plan is to try and focus on one thing at a time and hopefully accomplish more.  Hence my inspirational word for 2011: Focus.  

Case in point: my craft projects.  I've got 4 or 5 going on at once:

 

The Mountmellick project I started about a year ago.  I figure that if I went all the way to Ireland to learn the technique, I should actually follow through and finish.

Technically, this is my travel project.  Something simple I can shove in my purse or Carry-On when the Hubby and I are off on another adventure.  But this has been my travel project for quite a while and I think with all the time I've spent on airplanes over the last year I should have made a little more progress.

Yeah, this is a recent project as you can see.  But this time of year I feel compelled to knit or crochet something.  This will be a scarf and it should be a quick and easy project.

I did take stock of my 2010 resolutions.  My first resolution was to finish a quilt and enter a competition.  It's possible that I bit off more than I can handle within a 12 month span.  I finished one square and just finished the second...today.  Yes, my first attempt at focus was completing embroidery on the second square for my Spanish Quilt...a year after I started the first square.  Ahem.

This is a big project and I think that in addition to focusing on one thing at a time I need to set realistic goals.  It's ok if the entire quilt takes longer to finish than I'd originally planned.  I will however focus on completing each square once I start it without distracting myself with three or four other projects at the same time.  Keep a look out for Spanish Quilt Block #3!

My other 2010 resolutions to improve my Spanish and to run more, did get some attention in 2010.  I made progress on both, although I also slacked on both at the end of the year.  I'll be continuing to focus on both of these in 2011 as well, but I'll be keeping my goals realistic: to improve, but not necessarily have to be speaking Spanish like a native or running a marathon by 2012 in order to feel like I'm accomplishing something.

Focus is difficult for me in that I have about 10 ideas running through my head at any one time for new projects.  So step one in my quest for focus is writing each of these ideas down so that I can come back to them when the crafting above is all done.  I'll keep you posted!

 

Mountmellick, Ireland

Well, this post was a bit delayed as my laptop at home bit the dust.  I've been using a really old Dell laptop while the Hubby is traveling with our Mac and the Dell just couldn't keep up with me.  I'm toying with the idea of buying another Mac so that Hubby and I have our own dependable laptops, but in the meantime I am stealing a few moments here and there on my iPhone, or when I just have to have a full screen - at work.  (I swear I only blog on my break!)

I have been anxious to post about what was my favorite part of our trip to Ireland.  I had seen Mountmellick embroidery described and seen the technique discussed in books, but at some point I came across an article describing the town in Ireland where this technique developed.  The history behind the town of Mountmellick and the development of this specific type of embroidery is so interesting and, once we planned our trip to Ireland, I decided to see about scheduling a class to learn this technique!

Mountmellick, Ireland is a small town in County Laois (pronounced "Leash") in central Ireland.  This town was settled by Quakers - which I found so interesting considering the impact Quakers have had on so many areas in the U.S..  These hard working people established several industries including breweries, distilleries, woolen mills, cotton mills, tanneries and glass factories.  The site I linked to has a ton of information on the town that is - in my opinion - fascinating.  Mountmellick in the 19th century was apparently a boomtown and known as the "Manchester" of Ireland.  The industry that the Quakers established was not their only contribution.  As is true of their history here in the U.S., this group of people was well known for their efforts to reform such institutions as slavery, education and the prison system.  They were also instrumental in famine relief during the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1840s. 

In addition to being an interesting town with a ton of history, it's also a pretty area with great people.

I borrowed this pic from the Mountmellick site linked to above as I did not have time to take many photos while in Mountmellick.  I was too busy with embroidery!

The cotton mills in Mountmellick in the 19th century seem to have set part of the background for the development of Mountmellick embroidery, as well as the desire to create employment for local women.  My instructor for the day, Collette, told me that the white on white embroidery being done in France and other areas was very popular at the time.  Mountmellick embroidery was created as a way to capitalize on the that popularity while using the more practical fabric of white cotton jean - which was readily available in Mountmellick - and embroidered with cotton thread.  The method is similar to crewel work, however the patterns are distinctive - inspired by nature and with several stitches that are specific only to Mountmellick embroidery:

(This photo is from the embroiderers guild web site.)

The class was very easy to set up.  They are arranged through the Mountmellick Development Association which can arrange group classes or individual classes.  As we were there for a short vacation (and the Hubby was not interested in taking the class) I scheduled an individual class and so had the undivided attention of my instructor Collette (which I think I needed.)

Collette started by teaching me three stitches that are specific to Mountmellick embroidery and without which a piece can not truly be considered a Mountmellick piece: the Mountmellick stitch, the Cable Plait stitch and the Thorn stitch.

I really liked Collette's teaching style.  She demonstrated the stitches for me and then allowed me to practice them for awhile.  Then, instead of providing a pattern that told me that a specific stitch was required here or there, she gave me a pattern and allowed me to choose how I would use the stitches she'd taught me:

We went through the extensive collection of Mountmellick work in the museum and she showed me how other stitchers had used the various embroidery designs in their work.  It was really inspirational.  All of these projects - some from over two hundred years ago - were white on white, using the same collection of stitches, and yet they were so different.

It was a wonderful afternoon!  I left with some new techniques, a great appreciation for the history and heritage of Mountmellick and some fantastic memories.  I am very grateful that these women (especially Collette!) take the time to teach and pass on a beautiful technique to interested strangers. 

I hope I'll have a finished project to share with you soon although Christmas project have been taking up a bunch of time lately.  I'll try to post a round up of our Fall activities soon and then after that it's all posts about Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that preparations for Christmas are going well!