I'm still on my quest to find the best way to finish the 6" ruler sleeve. I stitched another of Vavi's 'long' alphabets, "ABC Romantique" on Edingburgh dirty linen. This time I did not do a full lining, but used iron-on interfacing to back the stitching. The border fabric is doubled. I folded in a seam allowance on each side, then folded up from the bottom and used a blanket stitch to sew the side seams. Blanket stitch is really hard to do nicely so that the back looks as good as the front. I never seemed to get the hang of piercing the fabric at an exact 90 degree angle. Now I understand why quilters don't usually go for the 'stab' method that x-stitchers use.
I also tried another one with just plain fabric and a quilt type binding. I added a crochet motif for interest. Not sure I like that one either. I think I may be giving up on this type of project.
Sandy of San-Man Originals discovered a vintage item that crocheters use to make, something called a spool pin doily. These are used on old sewing machines as a decorative replacement for a circular felt pad that sits under the top spool of thread for stabilization purposes I guess.
Here's a photo of one that is currently on sale on Etsy .
Sandy was planning to make one for her old Singer treadle machine, but it looked like something quick and fun to do so I made three and sent them to her. Such cute little things. They are each about 2.5" in diameter.
The first came from a flower pattern at this link:
Kimberly's Coaster Patterns
I used crochet cotton doubled (I had a ball of thread that came that way already) and a size 6 steel hook. That made the hole about the right size. It's 2.5" in diameter.
This was an old motif from my stash. I think the pattern was from the "Harmony Guide to Crochet".
The final one is the Dahlia Circle from the book "25 Floral Blocks to Crochet":
14 comments:
I love the spool pin doilies, so much nicer than the pads of felt
I love your ornament. I think it's just as pretty on the blue as it is on the black! :)
Beautiful Christmas ornie! Looks Fab on the blue fabric - that was a fast stitch for you. I am still waiting for my cope of JCS!
LOVE your ruler sleeves and I like the pretty blanket stitch you added.
What a great idea - Spool doily's! Gorgeous!!! Your needleworks are always beautiful. Great job! love Annette
Love the Christmas ornament/card. Very cute. The spool doilies are so sweet. Wish I could crochet. Not in my bag of tricks.
xxx
Pretty cross stitch finishes! I love using sequins with needlework, and love the thread colors you used for the ruler piece. Your little crochet doilies are beautiful!
Love your ruler sleeves thank you for a new idea I often give these tiny rulers for gifts. have a hole drilled in the end so I can hang a fancy fob from them now I will be making sleeves too. Buttonhole stitch use matching thread and you dont notice the stitching on the back so much yes it is hard to make the needle go through at the right angle.
Those spool pin doilies are so clever! Much prettier than the silly pin thingies that usually sit at the base of the spool pin thingie. Very nice! Love the chalkboard card too -- the sequins look great and you would never know they are there to hide a mistake. The ruler sleeves look good to me, both versions. You're always so creative with your work.
I love your stitching Annie, and your doilies are so cute. Have a wonderful week!
Lovely stitching & I take my hat off to you on the crochet work... I've been trying to learn this past week and it's driving me MENTAL!!!
Lovely stitching and the ruler sleeves are pretty !! I liked the idea of spool pin doilies, I will use one of my crocheted motifs next time I use my machine.
Your doilies are fabulous, Annie! I love them. :) And your Peace bird is lovely. I also like the look of stitching on black or dark grey, but oh ... my poor eyes. The blue was a good decision.
What a cute card, Annie! I haven't checked out that latest JCS magazine at the library yet... Are there any other "must-stitch" designs? I like the blue that you used, too...
Have never heard of spool pin doilies, but yours are very pretty--how nice of you to share one with Sandy, too. Someday, I'm determined to learn how to crochet!
I like both of your ruler holders--I'm sure it's hard to sew on something that narrow, but you did a fine job on each. Can't remember who you are giving these to?
Hope your rain is letting up--I'm so tired of these gray downpours we've been having all week!
You are becoming a real expert for these ruler sheaths and how to finish them perfectly. I love them all, they are all very creative.
These little doilies are all so cute, another great idea.
And what a lovely Christmas card you made. I love Hands To Work designs very much and am stitching her monthly series that appeared in Cross Stitch & Needlecraft magazine last year. I think the blue fabric that you used for the card is looking great.
You did a fantastic job stitching Peace on blue, I really like it!
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