Month: January 2008

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Stitch-along, Bluebird Quilt Block Part 2, Blanket Stitch

Okay, I’m back…We are about to start embellishing the bluebird quilt block with hand embroidery stitches. If you would prefer to use machine stitching, a zig zag or satin stitch along the raw edges of the appliqué will work fine, or you can try out the decorative stitches that might have come with your machine. I’m going to start with a hand-embroidered blanket stitch. Here are the basics of the blanket stitch before we start on the block itself. The first stitch is made by poking your needle through from the back of the fabric to the front of the fabric, along the raw edge you want to finish (shown here with a purple line).

The second stitch is made by taking a stitch from the front to the back of the fabric, just to the side of your first stitch, but inside the raw edge you want to finish. In one movement, poke the needle back out to the front of the fabric, along your raw edge, just next to the first stitch, while holding the embroidery floss from your first stitch down so your needle will be on top of the loop of embroidery floss from the last stitch. (You can click on my pictures to make them larger, for anyone who might not know that already.)

Pull your embroidery floss taut, not too tight to make the fabric pucker, but just enough that the stitch is smooth. It helps to smooth it with your finger as you go. These are the essential steps. You will just keep repeating them along your raw edge.

Poke your needle in and out of your fabric again, coming our on top of the last loop of floss. Keep your stitches an even distance apart. When stitching around a circle, point your needle from the middle centerpoint of the circle outward to make the stitches fan out nicely.

Pull them taut as you go.

Repeat the same stitch.

Pull it taut, and continue all the way around. You will take one little stitch almost in place to lock it down when you reach your starting point again. Then you will carry your floss along the wrong side (back) of the fabric to the next raw edge you want to finish, or you will take a backstitch on the back of the fabric and cut the floss to end it. I make a little knot just to be safe. Since this block will be quilted and it will have batting behind of it, it doesn’t need to lie perfectly flat.

Okay…onto the bluebird block. Once again, you will need a few things:

  • A hoop (I used a 9 inch wooden embroidery hoop, but you may need a smaller one if your square is smaller than mine, which was 11 1/2 inches)
  • Embroidery floss (I used DMC 3777, but you will match your floss to the red of your berries)
  • An embroidery needle (I think I used a size 10)

Put your quilt block in your hoop, keeping the fabric taut, and tighten the screw on the side of the hoop to make it snug. Cut a length of embroidery floss about 20 inches long and separate out two strands of floss from the rest. Thread your needle with the two strands. A needle threader helps, but I just wet the ends with my tongue and cut them at a slant to make threading easier.

Pick a berry and start your blanket stitch as described above. Take a little lock stitch almost in place as you reach your starting point and carry the floss along the back of your fabric to the next berry. Repeat the process, ending and starting a new thread as you run out. I tried to work in clusters so I didn’t have to make my floss travel too far across the back. I used the blanket stitch on all the red berries.

My fabric appliqués lifted for the wear, and so I steam pressed them down again when I was done, following the manufacturer’s instructions for my paper-backed fusible.

Here’s a closeup of my blanket stitch. I found I got a little better at it as I went along. It would probably be possible to use this stitch on most of the raw edges, if you wanted to, but I think I will experiment with another stitch for the next area I do. More later…

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Bunny Treasury on Etsy, "Hop in! Bunnies Helping Bunnies"

Special thanks to Michele from Etsy for Animals for adding Max Bailey’s and A E Ruffing’s prints to her “Hop in! Bunnies Helping Bunnies 2” treasury list on Etsy! Many of the the Etsy for Animals members are helping out the Buckeye House Rabbit Society this month with donations based on their sales from their Etsy shops.

Our prints that are featured above are “Hiding”, a little cottontail rabbit with Black-eyed Susans, by A E Ruffing,

and “Proud Mom”, a Victorian mama bunny with a carriage-full of baby bunnies by Max Bailey. Both are available in our Etsy shop. 10% of sales (less shipping) of prints purchased from our Etsy shop will be donated to animal charities.

Michele also added my “Yorkie Puppy” to her “Baby Animals Say Happy New Year!” treasury list on Etsy, which features items for sale from Etsy for Animals members. This print is also available in our Etsy shop.

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Huggy Bunny, Original Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Huggy Bunny by Elizabeth RuffingThis is my new “Huggy Bunny”. He is an original one-of-a-kind doll, created from my own original design and pattern. He is hand signed on his bottom. Huggy Bunny is entirely handmade and is meant to be displayed and loved, and he is sturdy enough to be played with. His body is made of 100% cotton quilting fabrics, which have been fused to an extra layer of cotton sheeting for durability.

Huggy Bunny by Elizabeth RuffingHis little tail, and the edges of his clothes, and his pink parts are machine stitched with a zig zag over the raw edge appliqué. His ears and joints have been hand quilted. He has no loose or removable parts. He is stuffed with Poly-fil polyester stuffing.

I hand embroidered a coral stitch on his booties. His cute little eyes and mouth are hand embroidered as well.

Huggy Bunny by Elizabeth RuffingHuggy Bunny has love to give. Lots. And he’s happy to give it. He is a cheerful and agreeable sort.

Huggy Bunny is also part of the Etsy for Animals January challenge. 10% of sales (not including shipping) of prints from my Etsy shop and our collective Etsy shop will be going to animal charities. This month we are hoping to raise some money for The Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary in light of their recent emergency need for donations.

Huggy Bunny and The Rabbit Dances by Elizabeth Ruffing

Michele from Etsy for Animals added Huggy Bunny to her “Bunnies Helping Bunnies! EFA” treasury list on Etsy, along with my “The Rabbit Dances” greeting cards. Michele also posted Mr Bunny on the Best Friends Network forums, which is part of Best Friends Animal Society, a group that advocates kindness to animals and an end to pet homelessness. Thanks, Michele!

Please see Elizabeth’s Etsy toy shop for currently available soft dolls and art toys.

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Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyEvery morning, Belinda bundles up her little baby boy, and takes him for a walk through the neighborhood. With the greatest pride, she shows him to her neighbors. She politely, and with much sincerity, asks for their opinions.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Is he not the most beautiful baby you have ever seen? Is he not more beautiful than the moon and all the stars in the heavens?” Belinda asks.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Surely he is,” they reply, and they nod and smile in agreement.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Does he not have the brightest little eyes and the cutest little whiskers?” she asks.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey”Oh yes indeed, Belinda,” they reply.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Does he not have the prettiest little pink nose?” she wants to know.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Beyond any doubt at all,” they answer.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyBoBo loves his morning walks. He basks in the sunshine, and in the compliments. If you look carefully, you might see his tiny smile. If you listen quietly, you might hear him purring.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyBelinda is a tabby and white cat, as is her kitten BoBo. They have yellow eyes with a touch of green. Belinda’s old-fashioned dress is soft yellow with a pattern of pale blue flowers. The blue collar and cuffs with lace edging, match her blue apron, which ties in a big bow at the back. Her white petticoats swirl in a pattern beneath the bottom of her skirt.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyBoBo is tucked into a sage green blanket decorated with the moon and stars. Only his head and one little white paw are showing.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyI hand sculpted Belinda and BoBo from paperclay, and used stiffened cotton thread for their whiskers. They are original one-of-a-kind works of art, meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. They are completely hand painted with acrylic paints, then signed and dated with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyBelinda rests firmly on a turned wooden base, with a rustic wood grain, which has been sealed in golden oak. She stands 9 1/2 inches tall.

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyUpdate: Belinda and BoBo have already been adopted. Thank you!

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max BaileyBobo’s older sibling, Crybaby (above left) has also been adopted.