Make it your own embroidery class -- show your work

[Joanne B.]

Having soooo much fun. Best class ever.

[Becky A.]

This piece is beautiful - I'd like to see a few close-ups of circles when they're completed.

[KWinks13]

I finally jumped in over the holidays between being overwhelmed with other stuff. Our family is in the midst of a COVID outbreak, so my husband and I spent Christmas with our dogs. It turned out to be a relaxing day (all day in my jammies!), but we missed being with our family. It was a good time to start stitching as I had already prepped my fabric made of mostly silk samples I was gifted with a couple of years ago. I'm having fun making it up as I go! The color is a little off in the photos - more fall-like in person and I have much more stitching to do, but I feel pretty good about the start. Looking forward to learning more and more stitches. And you were right, Alex, I did NOT like it in the beginning, but it's growing on me!

[Peg]

really interesting stitches. I like how you used the floral pattern on the fabric and enhanced with embroidery. Well done!!

[Sue R.]

My sister Christmas gifted these vintage fabrics from a website known as “Forage”. The owner, Lisa, travels the world looking for unique pieces to be repurposed. Since I don’t have access to silk where I live, I thought I’d go down this avenue. Who knows where it’ll end up but I’m hooked!

[Helen W.]

Having soooo much fun. Best class ever.

Joanne B, What a great looking background. The choice of colors is so warm and inviting. The thread color is has great
contrast. Love have you have combined the various stitches it really makes it interesting to look at. HelenW

[Carole B.]

Today I was able to add 4 more of my 1 inch circles. This was really enjoyable, as I used several new-to-me stitches with the help of Sue Spargo’s Creative Stitching book. I want to know who comes up with these stitches!

[Karla W.]

Alex, I took a break from Make It Your Own Embroidery to give my granddaughter, Kayleigh, 5, her first sewing lesson! I was inspired by your video from August 5, 2017, when you had Lennox, 2, on your lap sewing with her. I pictured doing this with my toddler granddaughter, but due to the pandemic, I had not seen my Sweet Kayleigh in person in 2 years--until Christmas Eve. We had so much fun sewing together! Sewing is a great bonding activity! On Jan. 1st, Kayleigh leaves Maryland to return to Minnesota with new the doll blanket that she made with her grammie and lots of new sewing-related vocabulary! I'm so glad that I have my embroidery project to distract me after she leaves. And thanks to you, I am also signed up for Joanne Sharpe's 2022 Artfully Inspired Life "Crushing It." Alex, with much gratitude, thank you for all that you do to support the arts and to help us get through the long years of the pandemic. Happy New Year and Wishing You, Your Family, and all at the Quilt Show, the Best in 2022!!! Karla from Burtonsville, Maryland

[Karla W.]

Alex, I took a break from Make It Your Own Embroidery to give my granddaughter, Kayleigh, 5, her first sewing lesson! I was inspired by your video from August 5, 2017, when you had Lennox, 2, on your lap sewing with her. I pictured doing this with my toddler granddaughter, but due to the pandemic, I had not seen my Sweet Kayleigh in person in 2 years--until Christmas Eve. We had so much fun sewing together! Sewing is a great bonding activity! On Jan. 1st, Kayleigh leaves Maryland to return to Minnesota with new the doll blanket that she made with her grammie and lots of new sewing-related vocabulary! I'm so glad that I have my embroidery project to distract me after she leaves. And thanks to you, I am also signed up for Joanne Sharpe's 2022 Artfully Inspired Life "Crushing It." Alex, with much gratitude, thank you for all that you do to support the arts and to help us get through the long years of the pandemic. Happy New Year and Wishing You, Your Family, and all at the Quilt Show, the Best in 2022!!! Karla from Burtonsville, Maryland

[Helen W.]

Karla, What a precious picture of you grand daughter. She looks so comfortable sitting a the sewing machine. Bet she is
hooked already. HelenW

[Becky A.]

Last year I taught my kindergarten grandson basics of my sewing machine due to his curiosity about how it worked. Together we made a quilt for his Clifford and during overnighters, Clifford still comes with him AND the quilt. #lovemakingmemories

[Helen W.]

Today I was able to add 4 more of my 1 inch circles. This was really enjoyable, as I used several new-to-me stitches with the help of Sue Spargo’s Creative Stitching book. I want to know who comes up with these stitches!

Carole B, One inch circles. It is like making a miniature quilt. What are the names of your stitches on the one that looks
like a sunflower edge? Is your plan to do all circles? You mention an Easter theme. Happy New Year tomorrow. HelenW

[Kathi B.]

Stopping was hard, but I think I’m done! I’ve ironed it to a piece of batting and done some quilting, but it doesn’t really show. Once I’ve ordered more silk, it will grow up to be a pillow. I’m really enjoying seeing all the different interpretations. This version is random, but some of you have introduced more control into your design. All are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

[Becky A.]

Really beautiful! Your stitching is so pretty and I see some new stitches I haven't attempted-thanks for the inspiration.

[Karen]

So beautiful! I am just getting started. Your work is an inspiration. Thank you.

[Jodi R.]

This project has really inspired me. I have made good progress. I have also decided I “NEED” some additional threads. Let me tell you they add up.

[Carole B.]

Carole B, One inch circles. It is like making a miniature quilt. What are the names of your stitches on the one that looks
like a sunflower edge? Is your plan to do all circles? You mention an Easter theme. Happy New Year tomorrow. HelenW

Helen--It's amazing how much detail you can fit into 1 inch! The stitch on the one you asked about it the Woven Picot stitch. It's done with odd number spokes (3-5-7). This was the first time I've done it with 5. Only the base of the pedal is attached to the background. I've tried to update the captions on my photos to say what stitches I used. Not sure if it took, but will keep on trying. Happy New Year to you, too!

ETA: Guess you are not able to edit posts after a certain period of time. Bummer.

[Helen W.]

Stopping was hard, but I think I’m done! I’ve ironed it to a piece of batting and done some quilting, but it doesn’t really show. Once I’ve ordered more silk, it will grow up to be a pillow. I’m really enjoying seeing all the different interpretations. This version is random, but some of you have introduced more control into your design. All are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

Kathi B, Congratulations for being first done, with an excellent design, excellent stitching, and buying more silk. For all that
work I found you a 1st place ribbon!!! Job well done. HelenW
Click on the picture to see your ribbon.

[Suzanne L.]

Ladies, I am so impressed with all the embroidery class pictures. I've been working hard also, along with celebrating Christmas with family. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2022.

[chclar]

Didn't get to work on this too much in the last 2 weeks, but I really like how it's coming out so fair. Still a long way to go. Everyone's work is just beautiful. Chris Clar

[Helen W.]

Chris, Your stitching is beautiful too. Love that first circle. Excellent selection of stitches that look good together. HelenW

[Rose L.]

I wasn’t even going to start this but for some reason I thought why not. I used a piece of fusion fabric and I really like the background. I am having so much fun. I’m hooked.