Tis the Season for Hand Stitching

Between now and the New Year, quality, focused time in the "studio" (term used very loosely), will be a rare commodity. Oh well, so it goes. My hands though, which happen to be a perfect fit for a needle and thimble, have promised to make themselves available at a moments notice. Having that promise in writing, (after publishing this post), I have declared November and December "Hand Stitching Season" at the Seams French HQ and expect efficiency and quality performance from it's staff of one. Can you hear the crack of the whip?

In the production line-up are some embroidery projects, as well as 3 or 4 (or more) boutis projects.

Last year's "Stars and Butterflies Baby Quilt" for the Lady H included a pocket on the back of the quilt to hold a collection of falling stars. My intent is to add a wish and a star to this collection annually, on the little lady's birthday.

Thread colours for this star have not yet been finalized, but will likely stay in the range of yellows and golds. However, there's a zip-lock bag of fun little tassel ends in the thread stash that is singing out to me; "how about us..., how about us... ". I'll let the spirit of the moment guide. (Does that count as improv? I'm trying:)

While in the mood for stars, I thought that Little H needed to start the Christmas ornament collection with a star as well. Years ago, I had purchased this silk embroidery floss in Italy and have been looking for a project worthy of it's application ever since. Celebrating the first year of life is about as worthy a project as I can think of. The ornament will be worked on a natural linen using a satin stitch for the center and some variation or other of an outline stitch for the scrolly bits.

I may throw in bits of gold sparkle if it feels right.

A third embroidery project are these 4 little cocktail napkins for my husband. These 4 napkins are cut from a large vintage napkin that I had picked up at an antique market in France. Two of the sides have the original rolled hem finished edge, and on the other two sides, I needle turned a narrow rolled hem trying to match the original.

Since scotch is his favourite, I decided to colour coordinate the monogram with the amber coloured beverage of choice.

The monogram and the surrounding shamrock are being embroidered with a padded satin stitch. I am using a stem stitch for the outline and padding with a closely stitched stem stitch as well. I learned this technique years ago from a French magazine I was reading at the time, and it seemed to work OK for these monogrammed napkins.

Outline stitch and padding in progress.

And of course, there is always my beloved boutis to work on. Working on boutis sends me into my own little land of Zen. Great for traveling.

Below is the progress I have made on my latest pouch, one of the boutis projects currently in the works.

I start from the center and work my way out.

Stitching in the the center section has been completed.

Progress on the front flap.

November is already more then halfway gone. I'm still hoping for a window of time at the machine before Christmas, but if not, needle and thimble will be the "go to" method of the season.

Boutis: Traditional French Needlework

" Piqûre de Marseilles" or "Boutis" is a traditional French hand stitched and corded needlework technique, which uses embroidery stitches to create intricate channels that will later be stuffed with yarn, thereby creating a raised design with three layers. It's origins, and it's name, can be traced to the port of Marseilles in southern France to the 15th century. Traditional boutis was a technique invented to embellish otherwise plain white cotton with intricately patterned channels that would later be stuffed with a plump white yarn to give it relief. The resulting corded whitework created an elegant, embossed textile that was much sought after. Not only was it aesthetically appealing, but it also provided warmth and absorbency, so could be used for bed coverings, toilette linens (like towels), clothing items, home decor, etc. The first two photos below are from the collection of Mme. Monique Alphand, a well known French expert and collector of antique t

Amish Hand Quilting in France with Esther Miller

Esther Miller, was born into an Amish family in the U.S., and now lives in Germany where she has for many years taught the techniques and methods of Amish hand quilting to anyone interested in learning these skills. As a child, she would closely watch as the women of her community worked together on a quilt, and eventually she was rewarded with a needle of her own and encouraged to join the group. Through the years, she has mastered these skills and techniques and now generously shares them with anyone who has a genuine desire to learn. Esther Miller in Ste. Marie-aux-Mines in Alsace France. An example of her own work, Esther brings this intricately and perfectly hand stitched wall quilt to class as inspiration for her students. Last week, at the "European Meeting of Patchwork" in Ste. Marie-aux-Mines, in Alsace France, www.patchwork-europe.com , I had the privilege of taking a 2 day workshop with Esther. The Amish quilting method requires a free-standing simple

Blocking and Squaring Boutis

The door of her cage has been opened. She is free to fly off and find her destiny. After many months of hand stitching and then many more months of cording, my little "colibri" is ready to set off on her own. As this was my first attempt at designing so large a boutis piece, it was a learning curve. All of the tight swirls, curls and circles are a great deal more difficult and time consuming to cord then are the longer more gentle channels. Maintaining an even tension is absolutely necessary throughout the process, so patience comes in very handy when doing the cording. The process of stitching and cording a work of boutis subjects the fabric to a lot of handling and manipulation that can distort the design. For this reason, once all of the stitching and cording is complete, the boutis must be washed, blocked and squared. The first step of washing is to remove all traces of the marking pencil as well as any soil that may have collected over the many months of working w

MonicaNovember 20, 2015 at 8:29 AM
Well, this looks like a very calm and pleasant way to recharge during the holidays! It all is beautiful, and I especially like the white (and gold?) Christmas star. That will be a really lovely collection over time. Happy stitching!
needle and nestNovember 20, 2015 at 7:41 PM
I love seeing your work. Even at its very beginning there is such beauty!

I still have a pile of EPP stars for my mom's quilt to work on, and many more to make... But I just can't seem to find the energy in the evenings anymore. I'm in that time of my life when I simply cannot keep my eyes open after the kids go to sleep at night. And there is no time during the day, either, when I'm not in Mama Mode. But it's a good thing, this time. I wouldn't trade it for anything!!

Keep on stitching! I'm looking forward to seeing how you incorporate all those little tassel bits!

xo
Cynthia GilbrethNovember 22, 2015 at 8:16 AM
What lovely projects you are working on! I also love the white (and maybe gold) star. I can't wait to see the finished boutis, it looks lovely. Of course, I'm partial to butterflies.
AnonymousNovember 28, 2015 at 4:48 AM
Your "to do" list for the winter is a super idea! Love the projects you have chosen to work on. That star for Little H is adorable and will be exquisite I am sure. And the boutis project will be lovely. You have inspired me to plan some things for my own. I have been so busy with my business that I have set my things aside. Hugs and Happy Holidays to you! Have a blessed Christmas season!

Seams French

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