Make it your own embroidery class -- show your work

[Irene A.]

Decided to create a basket with flowers theme, each one being different. Progress was slow, but only two more ovals to fill. Then on to creating the background.

[Noella D.]

Your oval designs are superb!

[Noella D.]

I think I am close to the finish line! I am thinking beads next, and I have some butterfly pendants, and a frog pendant that would look great here!
Here is where I’m at.
Please give full sentenses when talking about my work. You just had so much fun last time that my hubby called it my “Aquarium” that that is all you mentioned. I get it, you have hundreds of students asking for criticism and you want to get through as much as possible. You do a tremendous job, and do it well, and graciously.
I hope you had a great vacation. I saw the picture on facebook, of your felt project that you had brought to Hawaii. I hope that we can see it in real life soon.
Can’t wait for the neutral quilt to start, but love working the embroidery!
Noella from Quebec.

[barns]

[Suzanne L.]

Well, I'm finally finished. Mine are not as beautiful as some others, but I had fun learning. Thank you Alex.

[Suzanne F.]

I need input...I am finished with my circles and had originally planned to put some straight-line quilting in the "sashing" areas. Should I? Or just leave it as is? If I did add anything, it would be relatively simple/uncluttered.
Also, any ideas on how to block it before I add the borders?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[geribear]

You have beautiful work.....for a simple approach to the sashing perhaps echo quilting or if you are into microquilter matchstick quilting maybe in a basketweave style and micro stiple around 3mbroidery for a trapunto effect...something like Cindy Needham linens

[Helen W.]

I need input...I am finished with my circles and had originally planned to put some straight-line quilting in the "sashing" areas. Should I? Or just leave it as is? If I did add anything, it would be relatively simple/uncluttered.
Also, any ideas on how to block it before I add the borders?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Suzanne, You can audition different designs by laying a couple clear paper protectors over the piece and drawing with a fine
sharpie marker. You could do spaced straight line quilting across the sashings. Like 3 lines 1/8 or 1/4 apart, then go about
3/4 or 1 and 1/4 inches of space and then do another 3 lines in a variety of colors that you used in the circles. I also like something simple like XXX shapes going across
sashings might look good. Your stitching is magnificent. Alex said you can not block silk projects. HelenW

[Noella D.]

Or use a clear plastic table cover for a tabel cloth. The thin ones rip too easily, I ‘d get the dry erase , or wet erase markers to draw onto the plastic, Ready? Go! Lol!

[Suzanne F.]

Suzanne, You can audition different designs by laying a couple clear paper protectors over the piece and drawing with a fine
sharpie marker. You could do spaced straight line quilting across the sashings. Like 3 lines 1/8 or 1/4 apart, then go about
3/4 or 1 and 1/4 inches of space and then do another 3 lines in a variety of colors that you used in the circles. I also like something simple like XXX shapes going across
sashings might look good. Your stitching is magnificent. Alex said you can not block silk projects. HelenW

Thanks, Helen...I like the idea of the clear sheet protectors.
I decided to put some decorative stitching on the sashing. Right now I am contemplating a woven chain stitch with some flowers in one of the sashes. I usually stare at the project and peruse the books until I get a brain wave. Will post my progress.
BTW, your butterfly piece is beautiful, as is your GPDU.

[Helen W.]

Thanks Suzanne, I know what you mean when just looking and something jumps out at you and you like the idea. Happens
to me all time. I often Google something and click on images and just scroll. I think to myself, I only have to find one I really
like the idea of. Works every time. Looking forward to your progress pictures. And thanks for the compliment. It is all just
so much fun. HelenW

[Suzanne F.]

Thanks to Geribear & Helen W for your suggestions. Here is a pic of what I ended up doing. My only question is if the chain stitch "chains" in the long section are distracting from the circles. If I keep the chains I will add something in the middle of each oval. Looking for anyone's thoughts.

[Helen W.]

Suzanne, What a masterpiece of stitching. Just Love It!!! I love the chain on the long section.
Yes, if you put some stitching in each oval I think it will just look even better. Your stitches are so perfect and the combinations are stunning. Great Job! HelenW

[Suzanne F.]

Suzanne, What a masterpiece of stitching. Just Love It!!! I love the chain on the long section.
Yes, if you put some stitching in each oval I think it will just look even better. Your stitches are so perfect and the combinations are stunning. Great Job! HelenW

Thanks, Helen. Chain stitch it is! I have to decide what to put in the middle. Will post.

[Carole B.]

Got my circle sampler back from the framer today. Never would have thought to do this on a silk background if it wasn’t for Alex. Thank you! This pushed me to learn 20+ new stitches using Sue Spargo’s Creative Stitching book. The sky is the limit!

[Helen W.]

Carole B. The framing was a great idea. Here I thought you knew all the stitches in the book before this. I am so glad they
have the zoom feature so I can see the details. How is your Sue Spargo block BOM coming along? Are you learning a lot
of new stitches there too, or is it mostly ones you already know. Hope Alex features you today in her Live. I am sure a lot
of people would love to check it out for inspiration. You do amazing stitching. HelenW

[Noella D.]

It looks gorgeous, and even prettier framed! “You go girl” you are a Sue Spargo mini me, lol!

[Carole B.]

Carole B. The framing was a great idea. Here I thought you knew all the stitches in the book before this. I am so glad they
have the zoom feature so I can see the details. How is your Sue Spargo block BOM coming along? Are you learning a lot
of new stitches there too, or is it mostly ones you already know. Hope Alex features you today in her Live. I am sure a lot
of people would love to check it out for inspiration. You do amazing stitching. HelenW

Thanks Helen! I'm still plugging away to finish my 2021 TQS BOM before I move back to the Sue Spargo BOM and other projects. Finishing up stitching down the vine on the last side of the border. Then on to 100 leaves and oodles of pennies!

[Sandy F.]

An update on my embroidery project - Wendy Williams Around The Garden (reduced about 35%). Rather that a new project using silk (which I don't have any) I decided to work on a pattern I already had using fabric and thread I already had but totally inspired to get started by Alex's Class. The circle around the garden if still a work in progress and the tree is close to being finished. Embroidery is so much more relaxing than piecing a quilt. While working on this, I also completed the final blocks of my 2014 A to Z for You and Me quilt.

[Helen W.]

Sandy F, It is so fun to see other projects inspired from the concept of what a class is teaching.
Your tree bark is fabulous and I love the ring of flowers. Sure glad this forum lets you zoom the photos to see the details. I have not started my Round The Garden. I have been doing my own
version of this years BOM Garden Party Down Under. Have you been watching on the photos
for this years BOM? I am sure it will make you want to put it on your list. I even tried the center
block as hand embroidery. Not for the quilt I am making just to see what it would look like. It is all
so fun. HelenW

[Sandy F.]

Helen W. I am following this years BOM and I have added it to my list. I love how you have made it you own. I hope to complete the 2014 BOM this year; I still have the borders to complete and plan on hand quilting it in sections.

[Jennifer G.]

A good idea to mix piecing with embroidery!

[Jo Anne]

I have finished my Make It Your Own Embroidery! I kept staring at it and wondered what it looked like… and finally decided it looked like a field of flowers. So I added the blue linen on the left, the 3 Queen Anne’s lace stems and flowers, plus the bird to further that idea. Also added the background grid quilting and linen binding. I’m going to use it as a small wallhanging.

[Jennifer G.]

Oh very slow - but I think this is nearly done - the art is knowing when to stop. I'm not quite sure how to finish this but have really enjoyed the project.

[Suzanne F.]

I am finally getting around to posting my finished MIYO Embroidery, though I am still contemplating a border. I plan to have it framed, so not sure the border is necessary. Loved the process! (Be Patient...I think the photo size is a bit large.)

[Helen W.]

Suzanne, They don't get any better than yours. Everything about works so well together. Love the variegated threads,
Love the stitches you put together. What a masterpiece. You might be the next Sue Spargo!!! HelenW