For Jane...

 

I had a bit of a struggle with planning the page but once I got going I really enjoyed the stitches especially the insertion stitches. Once again I used some of my own handmade felt (with a bit of Angelina and some silk tops) I really like the colours – so bright and cheerful and learning a new stitch was delightful too. I hope Jane likes it.

Thanks for reading 

Margaret

For Debbie...

 

My piece for Debbie started with fabrics lace and bits and pieces I had previously dyed in Aqua. I remembered Debbie previously mentioning her love of Herons, so that was something I wanted to include.

I started by drawing the bird onto some medium weight Lutdradur. I then cut it out and attached it with a fine Herringbone stitch.  The lace was attached with a double Herringbone stitch. I used the Pistol stitch for the reeds, the background and attaching the buttons. I finished by attaching a lace trim with a Beaded Herringbone stitch.

Thank you for your interest. 

Janex

For Rosemary and a little extra...

 

detail

Rosemary chose black and grey with raised chain band and chain stitch. Free-cut pieced background. Cotton and wool fabrics. Machine quilted. Perle and wool threads used for the hand embellishments. Rosemary's choice of both colour and stitch were a joy to work on.

For myself...

detail

My choice just had to be blue with French knots and seed stitch. Free-cut pieced background. Hand dyed fabric and scrim. Machine quilted. Stencil printed. Distorted French knots following the stencil lines and seed stitch filling the circle prints.

Thanks for reading

Sue

For Jenni...

 

Here is Jenni’s page in natural and ecru, Cretan stitch and lazy daisy or detached chain stitch.
Crazy patchwork background, using some lovely teeny tiny prints, from which I echoed the leaf shapes and daisy flowers. 

I struggled with the Cretan, but quite like the effect of the beaded double stitched line; and the difference between open or closed Cretan, which works well for leaf shapes I think. Lace insertion and a few beads to add interest. Somehow it’s ended up a contrast of crazy and calm.

Wishing you a happy 2022 from all the Maids.

Debbie

For Rosemary...

 

Well Rosemary really chose a colour with attitude and it was great fun putting the page together. 

I used a piece of my own handmade felt as a working background again and although I must own to unpicking the stitches a couple of times really enjoyed the raised chain band and was most impressed how very quickly it grew. Add a few beads and a bit of Broderie Anglaise and Bob’s your uncle. 

Margaret

Thank you for joining us throughout the 2021. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all the Maids.

For Sue...

 

Sailing away !

Rather an obscure title I hear you say but this piece includes torn map pages and painted bondaweb to represent water. Sues chosen stitches seed and French knots – so very Sue and the colour blue. 

Seventh heaven for me using blue but I hadn’t taken into account how labour intensive both stitches are. Sadly my French knots often became colonial knots but having tried to undo wrong knots I just ploughed on – sorry Sue but I did try! Similar problems with seed stitch – I found stitches were increasing in size and often going in the same direction, having said that I just loved doing this for Sue. I added beads for a bit of ‘shin’ and ‘lift’.

Jenni

For Debbie...

 

In The Deep
Debbie chose Aqua/Turquoise and pistel and herringbone stitch. I bought this flowered fabric at Cowslip many moons ago and this seemed the right time to use it. I have added a baby wipe mop cloth at the top (nothing but the best for Debbie) painted Bondaweb, scrim, felt and sari ribbon. Beads, stars and couched wool also feature. The reverse of this piece is a kitchen roll mop cloth. I cannot bear to throw these and the baby wipes away! How sad am I?
We have now met up and exchanged our pieces. What a delightful time and a brilliant way to keep in touch with best friends.  Rosemary.