I have finished my Squash Squad Instastitch with Sue Spargo. YAH!!! My vine border sort of got away from me but it was enjoyable to stitch.
To read more about this piece, please hop over HERE where you can see a couple of close-ups. I've also added some links about the various squash / pumpkins used in this piece.
Enjoy!
Yesterday was the first day of Squash Squad, another of Sue Spargo's Stitch Alongs on Instagram. This is my progress so far. The metallic braid, by Kreinik, is couched on the squash with Valandi #8 perle cotton, colour 18. The chain stitch on the stem is Valandi O154.
Hopefully, I'll get the vine and leaf stitched tomorrow as well as playing catch-up!
Squad Squad stitch along with Sue Spargo, started on September 22 (HERE). Since then, four out of nine blocks, have been featured on her blog.
The following squash blocks are in various stages of completion.
Block One, Spaghetti Squash
There are suppose to be small buttons added to the turquoise circles. I'm still debating whether or not I'll do something with them. Not buttons! 3 bees are waiting to be added to the vine on the right.
Block Two, Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
Finished!!
Block Three, Queensland Blue
I have two more flowers to make on this one and some running stitches on the background.
This is day 1 / 4 of stitching
Last evening the couching and chain stitching was completed. I'll probably get today's stitches embroidered tonight.
Enjoy!!
I've been making some progress on the 5 1/2 " wool applique, Squash Squad squares, by Sue Spargo. Monday, we start block 8 of 9. My seven blocks are in various stages of finishing. Here's six and seven:
Block 7 - Big Moon Pumpkin
Working on the vine. Small buttons have to be added.
Block 6 - Knuckle Head Pumpkin
Couching the background woody vines. Small Detached Chains are to be randomly added for the base of the Bittersweet blossom. A small orange seed bead will be added to the base of each detached chain stitch. I also need to add more Raised Cup Stitches to the rest of the triangles.
Enjoy!!
In Early December 2020, I finished the embroidery for the Squash Squad nine week challenge with Sue Spargo. Now, I'm on the road to finishing it. I have all the blocks on a black wool background with a three inch border around them. My first step is to stitch them onto the black background. Then a narrow braid / ribbon might be stitched along the seams to hide the edges.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing! The blocks were cut at 5 1/2 inches. If I was doing this again, the blocks would have been at least six - six 1/2 inches square, to give enough for trimming them all to the same size. I didn't think about the fact that stitching sometimes distorts the shape just enough to skew some of the blocks. At least that's what happened to mine. In any case, there isn't enough fabric to stitch them together with a seam.
Have a look. I'm using what I have on hand. Which one to use . . .
The first one has silver lines on the ribbon so has a bit of sparkle.
This one has white dots on black.
Maybe I'll even do something else as I haven't considered a final binding yet. (I just thought about the binding).
Decisions!!!!!!
Stay Safe
Enjoy!!
Squash Squad, the 9 week stitch along with Sue Spargo, is over! Block 9 is finished, but I still have three previous blocks to complete. There were two flowers in the original pattern of this block but I opted not to do them. My bottom stitching isn't exactly straight and it might be taken out before putting the blocks together. Note the fluffy caterpillar embroidered with the Turkey Stitch.
Enjoy!!
There's lots going on here in the studio but not a lot to blog about. I did a major clean-up and disposed of 'stuff' that I've carried here from St. John's and still haven't used after years of looking at it. Of course, next week I'll be searching for the very thing I gave away! Typical!!!
See - this section of back wall is clean and tidy! Until the next project clutters it up again.
I have been slowly working on the border for Squash Squad. I was determined that it would be finished this year. I haven't stitched on the ribbon separating the nine blocks yet. That will probably be one of the last things I do before putting on the backing and binding. I have also been considering placing this on a canvas board.
I'm hoping to start the vines this weekend.
I found some interesting Textile Artists over the last few days. Sit back, relax and have a look at these artists' work.
Enjoy and Stay Safe
Nine weeks of stitching with Sue Spargo is over! I have enjoyed this project immensely. For one thing, I got to practise stitches, that under normal circumstances, I would probably not bother with! So thanks Sue!!
These blocks are not yet stitched together. That will happen after I finish several Christmas presents. I am planning some more wool applique with vines and leaves, for the border. Stay tuned! It will be in the new year.
The squash used in this project are:
Spaghetti Squash Long Island Cheese Pumpkin Queensland Blue Pumpkin
Baby Boo Pumpkin Blue Hubbard Squash Knuckle Head Pumpkin
Big Moon Pumpk Mellow Yellow & Painted Purple Pumpkin Porcelain Princess Pumpkin
Today's new guild library book is Cuppa, by Sue Spargo. This quilt pattern book has detailed instructions and full-sized applique / embroidery designs for stitching and embellishing the quilt shown on the front cover (see below). The finished quilt is 38 inches square. Techniques for making this quilt, include wool applique, layering and hand embroidery. However, I can see using some of the cups and mugs in a mini wall hanging and on a tote or book cover. A bonus pattern is included to make a zippered
embroidered applique project bag for holding threads, notions,
and project blocks. (Also shown below).
