Sunday, April 28, 2024

Christmas Banners Stitch-a-Long, part 4

Hi everybody -- how has it been three weeks already? Last week I shared the second Christmas Banner I had just started, and -- because of the way this kit was structured -- starts to come together more quickly. In a very short time I had gotten to this point, by appliquéing "Christmas is Love" and two bows, and embroidering pine branches: 


Again, because the sequins get added at the end, I was able to make more progress than I expected. Here's where I am now: 


I added Santa, his sack, the trees, and started a couple of animals. I decided that I would do all the felt appliqué first, and then do the embroidery later. Honestly, I really love cutting out the tiny pieces and sewing them on one by one. 

I also realized that I said how much I loved the pine branches, but didn't include a closeup: 



For our next check-in on May 19 I hope to have all of the animals attached and be ready to start on the embroidery. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long are always working on amazingly beautiful and diverse projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired! Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, KathyMargaret, JackieMegan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, LindaMary Margaret, and Cindy.

20 comments:

  1. Wonderful progress! Now I want to go do some applique :) I have a couple applique works in progress and a couple wool applique ones in my stash I'm eager to start. I too enjoy cutting out the little pieces!

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    1. Thank you Christina! I love that the layers of felt at depth, too. So satisfying!

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  2. This is going to be so cute, Sunny!

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  3. you have to cut out all the little shapes? rather you than me ^^

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    1. Hee hee -- I don't know why I enjoy it so much, but I do. I think I like that it breaks up the tasks a bit. Cut out the felt, sew the felt, cut out the felt, sew the felt.... :)

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  4. Such memories this wall hanging brings back for me. I stitched it in the mid 1980's, I was living at home with my mom, and made it for Christmas decorating. I wonder if she still has it?

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    1. Oooh, I love hearing that! I hope she does.

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  5. I can't believe how much progress you made. It's looking fab!

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    1. Thanks Avis! I think I'll slow waaaay down when it gets to the embroidery.

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  6. That is looking fab! Its so satisfying to watch and I can't wait to see the next update.

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  7. Mary Margaret RipleyApril 30, 2024 at 4:45 AM

    Looking so beautiful! Excellent progress

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  8. Wow ~ this is looking s=fabulous! So festive :)

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    1. Thanks Sharon -- the whole design is growing on me.

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  9. I have completed several felt kits. Doesn't some of the embroidery have to be added before you applique the piece on? By the way, you have really made a whole lot of progress on this piece. That is a lot of little pieces to applique. Love it!

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    1. Cathie -- this is the first one that I've done that tells you to do the sequins and the embroidery AFTER (for the most part). Maybe it's a newer kit and they feel like it's more inspiring to the stitcher to have the pattern come together more quickly and then add the details later? Or maybe it's because this piece has a backing to cover up all the stitching, so they're not worried about the embroidery and sequins looking bad from the back?

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