Pieced Brain

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Embroidery designs for every season

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I love hand embroidery. One of the main attractions for me is that it does not have to be perfect to turn out beautiful – here is one of my favorite embroidery projects – do you see what I mean? If you like it, too, check out these embroidery designs for every season: they mix quilting and hand stitching.

[Edited: June 18, 2020]

Embroidery designs for every season
I just realized that Autumn is almost here! The past few months have flown by and I still did not have a chance to make one of the projects in Gail Pan’s Changing Seasons – 17 Embroideries to Mix and Match, published by Martingale. I have kept it in my studio hoping I could squeeze one of the projects in one Saturday but it has not happened yet. It is time I get it out and show you why I love it so much.
 
The project on the cover is the one I want to make: you can swap the bottom embroidery block! That house is so cute… 
All photographs by Brent Kane for Martingale. Used with permission. 
 
Gail’s patchwork and embroidery projects are very fast to make: transfer one of her heart-warming designs to the background fabric, embroider it using simple stitches and envelop it in your favorite fabrics. Hand quilting with big stitches will add the final, “I-made-it” touch to your creation.
 
Embroidery designs for every season

The embroidery designs in Changing Seasons transform one-block patchwork wall hangings from “quick and done” to “quick and lovely and done” stitched with colorful vignettes of daily life, framed or hung and displayed around the house (or your friend’s house) as reminders that, yes, we do sometimes slow down and take time to put needle to fabric.

Embroidery designs for every season

I love the interchangeable banners for the seasons and major holidays. We can easily replace one banner with the other as the season or celebration approaches, infusing our home with the joy of anticipation, the warmth of preparation, and the whimsy of the handmade greeting.

Embroidery designs

My stitches are imperfect even though I have been embroidering for a while. Yet, I still make Gail’s projects (as you can see here) because her creativity tempts me to try, to learn, to venture, and accomplish! Changing Seasons is filled with eye-candy for the practiced, yet it would make a fun gift for a novice embroiderer and quilter who is itching to join our club. The General Instructions section at the back of the book has a diagram for the nine stitches she uses throughout the book, as well as information on how to finish the projects.

 

Today I am driving my mom and sister back to Las Vegas where they will catch a plane back to Sao Paulo, Brazil. We will be talking about our two weeks together and will plan our embroidery fun, as my sister saw Gail Pan’s book and is now totally hooked. How about you? Is embroidery and patchwork in your plans for the weekend? If not, what does the weekend look like for you?

Embroidery designs

Leave a comment below. One of you will be chosen to win a copy of Changing Seasons generously donated by Martingale. Be sure to write your email on your comment (like: soandsoatinternetdotcom so you won’t be spammed) and I will have a way to contact you. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 23 so you have until Sunday night to enter.

If you live in the US you will get a hard copy; if you live anywhere else in the world you will get the eVersion.

It is time to get on the road! Have a fantastic weekend,

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Comments

  10. Barbara Y. says

    This book looks fantastic! What's not to love combining embroidery with quilting? I hope it's in my local quilt shop if I don't win because I definitely want this.

  11. Joyce Carter says

    Thank you for the chance to win Gail's book. I love her projects. I, too, like adding embroidery to my blocks. I think it adds a special touch. I am working on a quilt for my great-grandson and this one has embroidery added to the blocks.
    jrcarter727atgmaildotcom

  12. Kathy E. says

    This is such an awesome idea to combine two of my favorite things…embroidery and patchwork! The pieces are so sweet and adorable! They'd look super in my home and would also make great gifts. I'll be painting this weekend for a friend who's bathroom is a bright green! Now that their daughter has moved out, they plan on toning it down to a more neutral color…yeah! duchick at gmail dot com

  14. Susan L. says

    This book looks great! I'd love to make some of these projects! Our daughter is here from out of state, so our weekend will be spent catching up with her.

  15. Carol says

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a book by you! Love your work and as I just finished embroidering one of your patterns and framing it, I hope I win. I'm leaving tomorrow to go with girlfriends on a quilt week together. Fun, fun, fun!
    [email protected]

  18. Billie says

    I absolutely love all that you do. I always have a piece on hand to work. It’s very relaxing and I love to give away pieces I make, just to see them smile. billiesportatgmaildotcom

  19. Martina says

    I just love embroidery anda ctually Gail Pan was the one who got me hooked with it. Would be wonderful to win this book.So many great projects!
    sammartinaatbluewindotch