Finishes and a free embroidery pattern!

27/8/2017

Yup, it is true: I have arrived in the modern area too. It took me years. But when I heard that Fairphone makes smart phones that last, are repairable and don't use blood minerals; I ordered one. So far, I have used it to download (and use!) a 5K running app, WhatsApp with my family, use Google for directions and information AND made the very occasional phone call :). Still much prefer my Ipad and Laptop... Maybe I should seek professional help? Pondering this option, I did make my Fairphone a cozy home to live in.

Phone case with Schwalm embroidery

On Zweigart Newcastle natural coloured 40ct linen, I outlined the bird with chainstitch using a #12 variegated House of Embroidery perle colour Grapes C. Then I stitched partial buttonhole wheels for the feathers on the tail and the wing. I added straight stitches for the feet and the beak and attached some blue beads along the upper-edge of the wing. From the back, I withdrew every fourth thread in both directions and then added a Schwalm filling stitch called 'Gefieder'. The lettering was stitched using stem stitch. To make my 'phone home' a bit sturdier, I added wadding and a sheet of template plastic. The seams were then pimped with knotted pearl stitch. So far, my phone seems to be pretty comfy in her new home!

I've asked my very talented husband to make a nice clean digital drawing of my scribbled birdy pattern. You can download it at the end of this article. Apart from using it as I did in a Schwalm embroidery way (finished design including lettering H 55mm), there is tons of other possibilities. How about stitching it monochrome on a piece of felt? Or applique with a few simple stitches for embellishment? Surprise me!

Chlamydosaurus needlepoint millie marotta broderibox nordic needle

Canvaswork or Needlepoint

Next up is another broderibox project using a design of a Chlamydosaurus by Millie Marotta. This amazing creature can impress by unfolding his neck frill. However, it can only do so in opening its mouth widely. The bones in the frill are extensions of the hyoid or tongue bone. Isn't nature amazing?! The lovely people of Nordic Needle had put in a glow-in-the-dark thread made by Rainbow Gallery. I made sure to add it to every canvas stitch I used on the chlamydosaurus (it is the white thread you see). And it glows beautifully at night! Unfortunately, it doesn't translate well in a picture. You have to take my word for it.

Hazel Blomkamp floral pomander embroidery

Floral pomander by Hazel Blomkamp

Last finish for today: the Floral Pomander by Hazel Blomkamp. I really enjoyed this project with all the little flowery scenes using simple embroidery stitches and tiny beads. However, the instructions were a bit messy with tiny pictures of the finished panels. And piecing the pomander together was a little fiddley. That said, it makes a great project if you like miniature embroidery, beads and a different way of finishing your embroidery. Oh, and thanks to the dried lavender mixed in with the toy stuffing, it is my best smelling project ever :)!

Schwalm embroidery

Click on 'Download File' to get your free copy of the PIEP! pattern:

free_pattern_piep.pdf
File Size:	617 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

14 Comments

Catherine link

27/8/2017 17:39:38

You have certainly been keeping yourself busy! I confess I have never heard of Fairphone before, but I will check it out! My phone is driving me mad, but at only two years old I am quite determined to have it see out another two years, so maybe in a couple of years I will join you!
I absolutely love your Pomander! And what a lovely way to finish your embroidery. Despite losing my sense of smell, I can still imagine how lovely this must smell, and I think it is a lovely finishing touch! When one can't smell, you do tend to forget about such lovely finishing touches, so this is a lovely reminder.

Jessica Grimm link

27/8/2017 21:39:57

I agree Catherine, swapping electronics out just because there is a newer and better version is not sustainable at all. It must be really hard for you to have lost your sense of smell! And it must impair your taste as well. Must tell you a funny experience from today. Me and my husband went for a hike, but in a place where a lot of city dwellers come (we live very rural). We walked through the woods and were greeted by wafts of perfume and after shave every time we met other walkers :).

velia

27/8/2017 19:48:30

I guess phones in Europe have different brand names than we do in the US. I ended buying one just so I could have the ability to call the police in an emergency, therefore, just carry in my purse while driving. No public phones in California. However I use it to photograph a lot of my handwork and the orchids I grow, but admit not knowing how to transfer these to the computer. I did embroider the linnen case with flowers.
What a fabulous embroidery work you did on the Pomander, it is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your great work.

27/8/2017 21:42:12

Thank you Velia! Yes, I still own a very basic mobile phone. However, it slowly can't cope with advancing technology anymore. It sometimes takes ages to find a metwork or it doesn't find one at all. Since the disappearance of public phones, I too do like the idea of being able to call for help!

Rachel link

27/8/2017 19:52:09

A productive few weeks - well done!

27/8/2017 21:42:49

Thank you Rachel!

Averyclaire link

28/8/2017 00:37:39

Your CREATURE is marvelous! That stitching on the neck ruffle is amazing and perfect! How creative! Like your phone pocket too!
But the ornament with all that lovely stitching is still my favortie!

28/8/2017 07:53:22

Thank you Karen! I loved making the pomander, but it was a lot of stitching and putting it together took quite some time. Before I made it, I was thinking of designing one for a workshop. However, it would be too difficult for my regular students.

Mabel

28/8/2017 10:07:17

Hoi Jessica, wat geweldig dat ook jij nu in het moderne tijdperk bent.
Ik vond je altijd al modern hoor dus dat was geen probleem.
En de borduurwerken zien er weer fantastisch uit top petje af.
Succes met al je cursussen en een fijne week. Groetjes uit een zonnig Dordrecht

28/8/2017 20:06:45

Dank je wel Mabel!

Terri

28/8/2017 17:59:06

I love, love, LOVE the pomander!!! It is SO pretty!!! Your other stitching is pretty too, but the pomander is my favorite!!

28/8/2017 20:07:53

I know what you mean, Terri. When I saw a picture on pinterest, I ordered my kit from Hazel straight away!

Dima Santina link

29/8/2017 15:56:26

Beautiful work all around. Did you put anything other than stuffing in the pomander?

29/8/2017 20:13:31

I also put some dried lavender in with the toy stuffing, Dima.

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