Pieced Brain

All about quilting, knitting, crochet, embroidery, free tutorials, quilting and crafting book reviews.

Embroidery Giveaway

By

I have been in the mood for embroidery lately. It is fun, soothing, and makes for awesome gifts. This is the little wall hanging I finished last weekend: it measures 12″ x 13″, with simple quilted lines, and a bit of fall colors to frame everything.

The green ric-rac adds whimsy and evokes the green of the flowers which I chose not to use on the embroidery. I wanted the center block to stand out and so I kept the borders (and quilting) simple.

I used DMC thread for the embroidery, and Aurifil to piece and quilt the wall hanging: I managed to use 4 different Aurifil thread weights in one tiny project! My choice of Osnaburg fabric for the background came back to haunt me because its open fibers made the stitches sink – when I doubled the thread the stitches looked chunky. Ai, ai, ai. Overall, I think it turned out fine, though.

I got the design from the book Stitches from the Garden by Kathy Schmitz. When I started going through its pages I was amazed at how dainty, how creative, and how easy-to-make the designs were. You can make them just as Kathy did or, like me, use her designs as inspiration for your own projects.

Here are some of my favorite projects:

 (All photographs by Brent Kane for Martingale. Published by permission.)
 These are magnetic needle keepers! We won’t forget where we put them anymore!

I have already transferred this and another design to tea towels, which are my next embroidery project. They will make great gifts!

Kathy is a master at combining embroidery design and fabric. Pay attention to her choices and you can copy them while tailoring the elements (colors, textures) to your own taste. This book is a treasure trove of possibilities! If you are into embroidery, or would like to learn, this is a must-have.

Martingale is giving away a copy of the Stitches from the Garden book (print for US and Canada residents, eVersion – which is the one I have – for blog followers outside the US) to one lucky winner! 

All you need to do is:

1. Leave a comment telling me what type of embroidery designs you like;
2. For an extra chance to win, leave another comment letting me know how you follow this blog;
3. Make sure I have a way to contact you (if you are a no-reply blogger, leave your emails as “soandso at myemail dot com” so you don’t get spammed).  
I will announce the winner on Monday, October 17.
I look forward to reading your comments. In the meantime, enjoy your day!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathleen C says

    I like the way you combined the embroidery with your own quilt design. The patterns in the book look lovely. I to to simple designs with a bit of whimsy such as the pillow with the bird. The patterns in the book look perfect for me! Thanks very much

  2. Kathleen C says

    I follow your blog in a reader (Old Reader)–that way I don't miss any posts :). Thanks very much.

  3. Karen in Breezy Point says

    I love Kathy's designs and have made a couple of her quilt patterns. I like that she has lots of birds and flowers–this book looks wonderful!

  6. Laura says

    In the beginning I like to add french knots and other stitches to art quilts for visual texture. Now I am also enjoying stitching up some small motifs for all things gifty. Thanks fot the opportunity to win.

  7. Quilter Kathy says

    I like all embroidery designs. My favourite seem to be a combination of words and simple nature designs. This book looks right up my alley!

  9. Debbie says

    I like cute simple designs. This book looks perfect! Thanks

  11. Chiska says

    I like simple designs the best with nature motifs. This looks like a perfect book!

  12. java diva says

    I like cute embroidery with a fusion of vintage & contemporary.

  13. Kathy E. says

    This looks like an awesome book, Denise! I enjoy embroidering flowers, phrases and dainty pieces. Then I can make them into small pillows or frame them for gifts.

  15. Jenny says

    I love whimsical embroidery and nature scenes. My favorite recent piece I did was a seasons tree.

  16. Anonymous says

    This book will be on my Christmas list. Unless I win it , of course:).
    My favorites are the flower designs.
    [email protected]

  17. Jenny says

    I follow your blog through email.

  19. MoeWest says

    I like redwork embroidery. The bird and nest on the cover of this book appeals to me. Your embroidery project looks great! Thanks for the giveaway.

  21. Joy says

    I have been taking an embroidery class this year. My main objective was to learn how to do ribbon embroidery, which is my favorite, but I have found I really like all aspects of it and I'm currently making a crazy quilt bed runner. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  22. Joy says

    I follow you via email. I love to sit down with my coffee in the morning and see what everyone is working on today.

  25. Nancy says

    I haven't done embroidery since I was a child but I would enjoy patterns with outlines like the ones above. Thanks for offering the book. It looks beautiful!
    –Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

  26. Nancy says

    I follow your blog on feedly and I also receive your emails. Thank you for letting us know about this beautiful book.
    –Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

  27. Needled Mom says

    I love floral designs. Your project turned out beautifully. I like the ric rac border too. Those designs are great. I love the magnets.

  31. usagypsy says

    I love Kathy Schmitz! I have done a couple of her designs. The use of thread and colored pencil and fabric is so beautiful! With a touch of primitive I adore!

  33. Catskill Quilter says

    I love floral and garden embroidery designs – and this new book looks fabulous!

  35. Sorcha girl says

    I follow your blog using Bloglovin'. clara-chandlerdotattdotnet

  36. Sorcha girl says

    My current embroidery project is a Halloween motif stitched with No. 12 perle cotton on a tea towel. Love to have a hand stitching project available for cheering on my baseball team. clara-chandlerdotattdotnet. Thanks for a chance in the giveaway. Kathy has long been a designer I love.

  37. Crickets Corner says

    I usually like whatever is in season. Right now I'm working on witches and Halloween but will be doing Christmas before the month is out. The more whimsical it is the better I like it.

  39. Kathy LeBlanc says

    I have just recently started embroidery and I am just loving it. I like the look of vintage embroidery made into a modern piece like your little wall hanging. This book looks perfect.
    thank you for the opportunity. [email protected]

  41. Patty D from NC says

    I like small embroidery with just a few colors. the books looks lovely.

  43. Susan L. says

    I like all types of embroidery designs. I do love red work though.

  45. Sandy says

    I love redwork embroidery but have tried all kinds.

  47. Coser Tejer Crear says

    I am pretty new to embroidery, so I hope to learn a lot from this book. All the designs I see are amazing!

  49. Susie'sfun2 says

    Love your garden stitches. I have been a fan of embroidery for over twenty years. I especially like to do red work. Stitching can be quite relaxing. This looks like a wonderful book to have in ones sewing room. Thank you for your emails and inspiration weekly! ?
    Smiles, Sue
    [email protected]

  51. Rhonda D. says

    I follow through email and Bloglovin.

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(.)com

  52. Pauline Perry says

    I have been sewing and embroidering since I was 4 years old and I have been doing both for 63 years because I love it. At the moment I am enjoying redwork designs by Gail Pan and those from Red Brolly especially the Christmas projects.
    Pauline
    perry94022 at hotmail dot com

  53. Pauline Perry says

    I follow you by email newsletter and on Bloglovin'.
    Pauline
    perry94022 at hotmail dot com

  55. Cheri The Crafty Nanny says

    I was taught embroidery when I was 8, Now 50 years later,,, I am picking it all back up! I am collecting things and will start teaching my grand daughters how to embroider this winter. I enjoy the "days of the weeks" things…like on towels or aprons. That is what I hope to find to teach my GD's.

  56. Jodi - usairdoll says

    I do love embroidery! I have several projects that have both embroidery and piecing.I love doing both.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  58. Suze says

    I like simple embroidery that looks more difficult than it is. I really like what might be classified as country or rustic. Thanks for the giveaway.

    BTW – When I clicked the link in my email – I was taken to a giveaway from January. I didn't check the date and thought it was weird that it wasn't for embroidery. So, after I entered that long ago giveaway, I clicked on your home page and found the correct giveaway.

  59. Suze says

    I follow via Bloglovin' and email.

  60. Betsy says

    Denise, I follow you on bloglovin and email

  61. Betsy says

    I like whimsical embroidery and fall themed ones

  62. Mary says

    I like small designs. Like to make pincushions as gifts.
    Mary

  63. Mary says

    I am following you on email.
    Mary

  64. hueisei says

    I like the combination of embroidery and patchwork design. Thanks for the chance to win.

  66. Lisa says

    I like floral embroidery!

  68. Lee says

    I love flower designs the most! thank you!!

  69. Lee says

    I follow w/ bloglovn!

  70. Mgmj says

    Hi I just love your blog, New to this stuff, been doing embroidery for years. Love crewed, cross stitch many projects over the years. I read your blog on my kindle, got as a grit from my kids still learning the internet ways. Thanks for a chance [email protected]

  74. Deb says

    I love the type embroidery that's on the little towel with teacup and birdie.

  75. Deb says

    i receive your email newsletter.

  76. Nancy A: [email protected] says

    I love the embroidery on the pillow and on the tea towel. I actually have blocks embroidered for a red work quilt.

  77. Wendy ArtsyChaos says

    Love the designs on the little magnets! Really I like any designs that make me happy and/or look vintage-y. 🙂
    hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

  80. vicki says

    Anything that catches my eye, I guess, Kathy Schmitz, Red Brolly, modern, inspirational phrases, animals, sci-fi/geek stuff. Lol Urban Threads designs are great too!

  81. tubilinha tiacarminha says

    Puxa vida!!A quanto tempo não recebo suas atualizações,agora abro caixa de E-mail e ei-la!!!Que saudade!BeijoGRANNNNNNNNNNDE!!!

  82. Emily C says

    I love bird, flower and animal embroidery.

  83. GranChris says

    Lately I have just been doing snowmen but I love birds and flowers. Tea towels and pillow cases would be fun again.

  85. scrappy101 says

    I like to use the embroidery with my quilting but also for table runners

    I follow this sit with my Google dashboard.

  86. Carol says

    I like the simpler floral designs best and usually smaller ones, such as the redwork you did or the needle keepers. That way I can finish more quickly.

  87. Carol says

    I follow you via email. Thanks for the give-away!

  88. Rilene says

    Your designs are beautiful! I love nature designs: leaves, trees, flowers.

  90. Jenny says

    Very pretty book – thanks for the chance to win. I enjoy doing stitcheries with thicker threads, such as No 5, and also candlewick projects.

  91. Ariane says

    This book looks amazing. I love embroidery designs that can be kept out all year long. Like with nature and inspirational words, and that can be used in different types of projects. Thanks for the giveaway!!

  92. Ramona says

    I really like a variety of patterns from retro designs, holidays, nature, animals. It is all fun.
    momik97ataoldotcom

  93. Ramona says

    I follow you via email!
    momik97ataoldotcom

  98. Shami Immanuel says

    I like floral designs and geometric designs. I am new to your blog. Would like to follow you.

  99. JoanG says

    I like pretty much all kinds of embroidery. I especially enjoy patterns which include many different stitches.

  101. Rose Santuci-Sofranko says

    I am following you on Pinterest as @Artists4God . Thanks and God bless! ILuvTheEucharist (at) aol.com