Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Snowman Baby Sampler

I'm still trying to recover fully from a nasty attack of bronchitis. But at least I've been able to stitch again without coughing after every 'x'. Last night I even did the finishing for this baby sampler so I must be getting better!

This design is by Homespun Elegance, with some modifications by me. Some things about the chart annoyed me:
1) The model for the design was shown in fancy hand-dyed threads, but DMC alternatives were given with the warning that the design would not look the same as the model. I think they should have included a photo of the piece done in DMC as well.
3) There are not a lot of colors, but the symbols are so small and some look so much alike that you had to really refer to the stitched model constantly to be sure not to make a mistake.
4) The chart was one sheet, printed on both sides. So the chart was on a different side from the color key. Pretty much forced you to make a working copy and that would not have been necessary otherwise.
5) The chart was really too large for one page and is very hard to read.

But I do like the design and I think it's perfect for a baby boy born on X-mas eve. I used Zweigart Edinburgh linen in Summer Khaki. The piece looks quite different from the photo on the chart using these colors, but I like how it turned out. The actual design called for snowman buttons in the fours corners (available only from Homespun Elegance!), but no problem.. gave me a place to put the baby facts.

For the finishing, I sewed a section of a wire clothes hanger inside the top of the hanging so it wouldn't sag in the middle. If you just bend the hanger back and forth a few times, it breaks off neatly and you don't need special tools. One of my favorite finishing methods.

16 comments:

Ginnie said...

It looks really good, the DMC threads worked just fine. I like the way you have finished too.

Anonymous said...

Get well soon Annie!
I like your baby sampler. Nice fabric for the border.

Ranae said...

I hope you are feeling better.
I love the design, esp the bird on the snowmans nose is just too cute.
loved how you finished it too

Mylene said...

The baby sampler turned out great! Well done.

Hope you feel better soon.

Jane said...

What a fantastic finish and thanks for the tip

Pumpkin said...

How wonderful Annie! Another great tip as well :o) I love that pattern and I'm sure the baby will too.

Sandra said...

Annie it's an excellent choice for a baby boy! More when he was born on Xmas Eve. I don't know how did the model look, but yours look perfect! The fabric with the backing fabric and the colors you chose are a natural match, they look like they belong together.

You're right about charts with suggestions for fancy threads. I just stitched something for an exchange (won't give details) but the pattern didn't came with DMC or Anchor substitutions, so I just risk it and chose the colors of my backing fabric but was afraid about how it would turn out because just had to arrange the colors with the motifs... Uff!!! Luckily for me it's looking lovely (someone else said that! lol). Designers should think that fancy threads are not so affordable or easy to get...

Glad you're better, sorry to hear you were sick.

Daffycat said...

Hope you're feeling much better now!

This made a perfect birth sampler! Well done!

staci said...

Love it!!! I love how you adapted it :) I think I might have this one too...

mainely stitching said...

Absolutely wonderful!! Your personalizations made it so much better in so many ways!

Unknown said...

Hi Annie, thats a lovely sampler, great colours. Sorry you have been ill, I have had this awful virus too, and simply can't stop coughing. It's driving me mad!
The punch needle is a great craft, quick and very versatile. Try again, I'm sure you will make some great things.
Rosie x

patternnuts said...

Ooh, very nice!

Olga said...

Hope you feel better.
The sampler looks so lovely. I love the way you personalized it.

Mylene said...

Hope you are feeling much much better these days.
Have a nice week.

Anonymous said...

Hope you're feeling better now. Love your sampler and your great idea with the hanger.
Barb in TX

Anonymous said...

Annie, the sampler looks absolutely fabulous! Sorry to hear that you found the pattern a bit annoying, but the result is great!