Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Fabric box and quilt square

I used to adore stitching Linda Coleman's Cross Country Stitching pieces.  They are so adorable, but I often felt she over-did the back-stitching thing.  She has started offering some of her small designs as freebies on her FB page and her little summer fruit bowl caught my eye.  It just showed the chart with no finished model and I find it hard to visualize what it will really look like when that's all I have.  I was in the mood for bright colors, so as an experiment, I decided to stitch it up and use the least amount of back-stitching I could get away with.  Turned out just fine and it's making me re-think the designs in some of my old magazines.

I was tired of finishing x-stitch pieces the same old way.  I looked around the web for new ideas.  I prefer simple sewing projects.  Just can't get excited about painting, staining and gluing.  I have sewing supplies and no room for more 'stuff', so I'd rather go in that direction.  I found a cute little fabric box tutorial on Pinterest and decided to substitute my x-stitch piece for one side.  Made a few mistakes, but I'm really happy with the finish.  A little heavyweight craft interfacing made it pretty sturdy.   I'll probably keep it by my stitching chair for a while as an ORT collector.  Almost too pretty to use that way.
The stitching is over-two on 35 count HDF linen.  

You can get the chart by clicking here to the FB photo.
The tute for the box is here.


I continue to do an occasional quilt square for WOCS.  This one is for a quilt with a sewing theme.  Little House Needleworks "Needle and Thread" was just the right size and a quick, enjoyable project for this quilt.  This is done on 32 count lugana with my choice of DMC colors.  I thought my ironing job was pretty well done til I looked at the photo!



28 comments:

Mii Stitch said...

Annie, that little fabric box is just fantastic!!! So cute! I've never seen anything like this before but it looks really good and the cross stitch design is perfect for it too

Margaret said...

I love the little box! Wow! Such a great piece -- and I love the fruit bowl design too! Least amount of back stitch possible is a good thing. lol! Nice piece for the WOCS too.

Gina E. said...

I know what you mean about finding something different to use your finished cross stitch projects on. The fabric box is lovely, and can be used for just about any small item. Would make a neat gift too, if you decided not to keep it!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I love love love that box :)
And one of my favorite designs is the LHN needle and thread one :)

ArchangelDecker said...

Love that fabric box! :)

Mylene said...

WOW! Love the box, a great finishing idea!
Lovely LHN piece!

Sheryl said...

Very pretty box, could do with a few of them around the house.

Blu said...

The design is very cute but the box is fantastic! I'm definitely saving that one to (hopefully) use.

Karen said...

I'm with you on the back stitching, Annie. I've routinely left it off as much as possible on many projects. I love your little fabric box and will look for the chart, thanks for the link! The Little House design is very nice and will make a wonderful quilt square.

TammyK said...

Such a cute little box!

Penny said...

You did such a lovely job on the little box! Pretty design ~ I don't think the back stitching is missed. :) What a sweet design for the quilt!

Jane said...

What a lovely little box, and I like that stitching piece at the bottom too

http://thankfullga447 said...

Love the box and those colors. I do work for WOCS.

Brigitte said...

Oh Annie, you always come up with such creative finishing ideas. This little box for orts or whatever you want to use it for is just stunning. Lovely stitching and fin ishing. And thanks for the links.

Carol said...

I think you have some of the most creative finishing ideas out there, Annie, and this one is fantastic! The stitching looks great without all that back stitching, too! It's funny how designs have changed over the years to include less and less back stitching--thank goodness :)

Your little finish for WOCS is darling--nice color choices as well. How many of those blocks have you stitched through the years?

Hope you're enjoying a nice week--heard you had some rain down your way!

Vickie said...

I am with you Annie. I like unusual finishes too. ;) Fantastic job!
What a great design choice for the quilt square.

Shebafudge said...

Your fabric box is gorgeous! Love how it turned out and love the design you used too.

Your quilt square is really pretty too. xx

Kissy said...

What a noble home for the ORTs. Cool finish!

KimM said...

Thank you for the tutorial and the pattern - I LOVE, LOVE your box!!!
xxx

Jackie's Stitches said...

I so agree with Carol - you do have some of the most creative finishing ideas. I love this fabric ort container! You deserve a pretty ort container!

Annette-California said...

SO Beautiful Annie! I love your sweet ort box. The bright colors of the flowers immediately grabbed my eye. Congrats on another incredible project. love Annette

ricketyjo said...

What beautiful projects Annie! They are really lovely :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

That box is just too cool!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Great job on the box and you LHN quilt piece. I've often taken a picture and thought things like wrinkles, a mis stitched, whatever, show up so well in a photo. Still, I think your ironing job looks pretty good!

Annette said...

That box just look so awesome!!
How did you do that so perfectly neat..
Really aweosme..
I'm always wondered how such beautifull pieces you make!!
Always somethings differents..
Really awesome
The stitching piece is beautifull too, love the rime ( don't know how I need to write it.. lol)

Melanie said...

Ooooooooooo, so pretty! *pets*

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Love both pieces, Annie! Very nicely done on that box.

Jennifer said...

What a BEAUTIFUL box! Well done!