I fully finished my piece for June 2023 Summer Cross Stitch Camp with Sherri from Colorado Cross Stitcher.
I believe this was stitched on a scrap of 40-count Vintage Meadow Rue by Lakeside Linen. The piece was small but I was able to easily stitch it because I had my new Nurge hoop. You can find them HERE. I got the extra small one. I used the called for colors.
You might remember I said I had a goal to be up earlier in the morning to sneak in a little sewing time. Well, Monday morning I decided that my sewing time would really be time for finishing my cross-stitch piece into a pillow.
I really just planned on starting to finish it. I didn’t think I could finish a pillow in the short amount of time that I had. I kept telling myself to just quickly make choices and maybe I could do it. Sometimes I don’t do the best with decision-making and can drag out a project much longer than need be.
My piece was Patriotic Rose by Threadwork Primitives. I showed this to you as a finished piece of Friday.
My plan was to add red along the bottom as they did in the pictures but I opened up a drawer to pull the fabric and by accident, I opened the blue drawer of fabric rather than the red one…and there was this fabric. I thought it was perfect. The blue looks good with the blue leaves.
I attached a strip of fabric to the bottom and ironed it. I cut a backing piece that was a little bit bigger. I always do it this way.
I added a light interfacing to the back of the front stitched piece and the backing fabric.
I auditioned a few pieces of lace to put between the fabric and the stitching but nothing caught me. The original pattern shows some stitching between the two. I had never done that embroidery stitch before so was going to go the easy way and just add lace. In the end, I got brave and did the embroidery stitches. I’m so glad I did. I love how it looks.
While I was doing the stitching I noticed that the pictured piece didn’t have as wide as a piece of fabric on the bottom so I ended up trimming that down.
From there I finished the way I finish all of my pillows. I put polyfill in the corners and lizard litter for filling…then polyfill again at the opening where I stitch the pillow up. You can find lizard liter HERE. I used a ladder stitch for closing. You can see how I do that HERE.
I’m so happy with this little piece. It took me about 25 minutes to finish it into a pillow. Most of that was because I was doing the embroidery for the first time. It was easy. I should have never fretted about it.
I have no patriotic pieces stitched so this is my first. I have a few other patterns I’d like to do. I do have one started so I’m hoping I get that one done before next year and will be able to enjoy them both when summer rolls around again.
One nice thing about stitching small pieces is that I can afford to finish them myself with no extra help at all. I also like them because I don’t have to find wall space.
All in all…I’m happy to have another finished piece.
Love this piece.
Love this piece and love the way you finished it! I have this pattern in my stash…it will have to move up in the priority list!
This is a great finish—patriotic and pretty! Love your fabric choice and embroidery too!
Love this! Such a great finish!
When you say you stitch in 40 count, do you stitch over one or two? How was this pattern done?
Thank you! Love your work and your blog!
I primarily stitch on 40 count linen. I stitch with one floss thread over two linen threads.
Awesome!
Lovely little pillow.
A beautiful appropriate piece for this coming week. Beautiful and beautifully finished.
What is the name of the pattern behind your pillow? (Re GOD). I want to do that one for sure.
You did a great job with the pillow; I like the blue fabric with it.
Beautiful!
I like the was this patriotic piece turned out. The blue makes it look Americana.
I love the stars in the blue fabric for this piece. The embroidery adds a special touch. A very nice finish!
Love how this little pillow turned out! Just in time for the Fourth!
great results and the God piece behind it is great as well.
Do you have any tips for doing French knots on a cross stitch? Mine tend to look different sizes when they don’t keep pulling through the holes in the Aida?
When I do French knots I don’t pull back down through the same hole I came up in. I try to grab a thread real close so the knot stays on top.
Love it– love Patriotic things and the 2 things look just right there together!
Awesome– blue looks great with it too.
What a clever gal you are! I love the little pillow and all the additions, I would have never though of making a pillow. You are such an influence on me! Thanks for your blog, it’s just a fun part of my day!
Blessings!
Love the finished patriotic pillow!! Looks perfect with your other items.
This is such a neat little pillow and I love the blue for the finish! Do you have any suggestions on how to do the embroidery stitches? Or is it in the pattern?
Love and prayers
It’s called the herring bone stitch. Here is what I found out about it. https://www.google.com/search?q=herring+bone+stitch&oq=herring+bone+stitch&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i10i512l7j0i390i650l2.3823j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Great finish and ready for the 4th!
You have done a great job, on your pillow. It’s beautiful.