A bit of this and a bit of that

Crocheted tiny loops.



Sewed a petticoated skirt for Eva.




Read(ing) these...

...in between of making Easter related projects (no, I don't think it's too early), cutworking, and sewing costumes for a masquerade.

For a cheerful weekend

Here is another week end as fast as the next one. I hope it was joyful and fruitful as mine was.

This is something I received in the mail and want to share. Was there something you wanted to say to someone but you never did? Well, here is inspiration for it!

Cheer up! Spring is on its way!

Crochet a ring - a tutorial

Ok. Today I managed to make the how to I'd promised in my last post.
Now, here is a short (extremely easy) tutorial showing how to crochet around a ring with unambiguous explanation and without any technical terms. This is how I do it.

Step 1: Tie the thread around the ring and leave a short tail.

Step 2: Insert the ring up front, bring it down ...

....take the thread and bring it all the way up.

Step 3: Yarn the thread over and pull it through both loops.

That's it. This is one single crochet completed.

Step4: Continue working in this fashion until you reach the end.
When you do, finish off the thread by passing the cut end through the last loop.
Pull it firmly and then thread a needle and tie both ends.

Step 5: To weave it, pass the needle through the last loop and
do the stitching back and forth for a couple of times under the crochet seam.

This is the finished ring.

Make some more and wear them proudly :)

You can also continue crocheting in a pattern if you want to make the bangle more elaborate.

If you find any interesting patterns please share- I am willing to try them out!
P.S. Divya, I hope you can make lots of them now!

Crochetted bangles

Lying around were several plastic bangles in unattractive colors tempting me to do something about them. And I did. Ever since I made this necklace I was itching to crochet around something and even considered doing this (how ingenious is this??) but was afraid I might alarm the neighbours so I dropped the idea.

I like how my bangles turned out and in fact plan to buy some more and crochet them!
While doing that I snapped a few photos planning to do a small how-to but since both Eva and Jacob took the pictures (the latter crying that the older one got all the important tasks) you may imagine how they turned out so I will post it tomorrow. That is if I get to bribe an adult to take the pictures.

Important info: I forgot to mention but the letter has had quite an impact and the sewing machine got fixed that very week. Sewing under way!
Talk to you soon!

Donate here please.

Cutwork: finishing techniques

Some final notes and suggestions about finishing cutwork.
If you want to use the cutwork as an accessory or applique cut it out along the outer edges - a sharp cutter is most appropriate - paying attention not to disturb and cut the embroidery. There may be tiny peeking fibers which you should pluck out.
Then the piece should be washed and starched to gain firmness.

Even better than starch is if you interface the piece in the first place, which I did after I was finished with this one and since I am working on another cutwork project, I must say the interface was the real thing.

When dried press it with a hot iron to make it neater.

Enjoy your work!

Cutwork: multiple bars

Multiple bars are very easily made, although at first sight the portion with multiple bars may appear intimidating . Here is such a portion.

Start by making the foundation bar. From one end to the other. I know it doesn't look as the printed one, but it is supposed to be that way, don't worry.

Next, start filling the bar and when you come at the section, branch the bar (as shown down).

Fill that branched bar back to the center (or foundation) bar. Continue working it.

When you come to the next section, branch another bar.

Work the same as previously until the end.
Here it is finished.

Next, cut the fabric. and stitch.

And that's it. I have prepared some finishing techniques for later. Stay tuned.
Update: a sneak peek.

Cutwork: the basic techniques

Cutwork embroidery is an enchanting and eye-pleasing form of needlework where portions of the background fabric, as the name suggests, are cut out and discarded, while the edges are worked over in variety of stitches - satin and buttonhole stitches being the ones used the most.

There are many kinds of cutwork, the simplest being Broderie Anglaise while the most elaborate of all is the Reticella cutwork. Reticella cutwork is the ultimate and most elaborate of all cutwork. It is just one step away from needle made lace.

The basic steps into employing cutwork are the following:

Transfer the pattern onto a cotton or linen which is the best fabric for cutwork.

Use the reinforced stitch to stitch all around.

Work the bars exclusively on the surface of the fabric. Make two or three strands. The more strands the thicker the bar. You decide the size you want.

Start filling the bars. When you come to the other end, secure it by intertwining the embroidery floss into the neighbouring stitches.

Next, you are ready to cut into it.

Cut carefully, and mind not to cut the bars.

Use the buttonhole or satin stitch to embroider the piece tucking the cut-out piece underneath. Some people do all the needle work first and when finished do the cutwork, which should be immensely precise or you may cut into the stitched part and ruin the work. However, I find the tucking method much safer and the look neater.

This is it! As easy as sewing a button!
Tomorrow I am having a tutorial for making multiple bars. Do come over if you like cutwork.
Also I would like to thank you all for the lovely comments left on whip up and the e-mails that encouraged me to dwell more into this lovely segment of needle work. See you tomorrow.

Guest blogging at Whip Up

Well, I am definitely over the moon!!
Check out my guest post at Whip up today!

Values ...

To realize
the value of a sister/brother
ask someone

who doesn't have one.

To realize
the value of ten years:
ask a newly
divorced couple.

To realize
the value of four years:
ask a graduate.

To realize
the value of one year:
ask a student who
has failed a final exam.

To realize
the value of nine months:
ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
the value of one month:
ask a mother
who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize
the value of one minute:
ask a person
who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
the value of one-second:
ask a person
who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.

.•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•. •:*¨¨*:•.

You realize the value of a friend or family member when you lose one. We appreciate values, especially the value of life.

I made these chokers at Eva's request for a fund raising event at her school aimed for children having life-threatening diseases. We also included several of the crocheted rose brooches to go along as well as little paper ornaments Eva made herself.

Warning: I am having trouble with the fonts, as you can see, I just hope this post didn't pluck your eyes out!

Crochetted Bohemian Necklaces

I have enjoyed the weekend creating crochet necklaces. These ones are quite simple but give a fabulous look when combined into color swatches.
Made several more uses of the same but I'll save that for another post. Let's this just be a tease.
The pattern for these can be bought here