It’s three weeks since I last posted about my flower lattice, I haven’t spent as much time as I wanted on it as I’ve been concentrating on catching up with my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt, finishing a little hardanger sampler and doing the prep work for a cross-stitch stitch-a-long which has just started! Even so, I managed a good few hours concentrating on this project. Three weeks ago this is how far I had got…
I think the diamond I’m working on at the moment is my favourite in the whole book, it’s got hydrangeas and wisteria, I think it’s beautiful! The hydrangeas were the first flower to tackle. To make these I traced the circles from the book onto a piece of cotton. I then had to embroider french knots all over them. The book recommends two or three thread colours, I just used one of the DMC variegated threads which includes purple, pink and blue, I think it worked pretty well. It took forever to fonish these circles, I took it to embroiderers guild, so I was there from 10am until 3pm and I still had three to do when I got home!
Once the french knots were done I had to make a small running stitch a couple of milimetres out around the circle, cut it out and then gather it up and stitch it on. When I first saw the pictures I presumed there was a tiny bit of stuffing inside, but actually the gathered fabric behind is sufficient. They are so dinky!
The instructions tell you to make ten flower heads, Di (the designer) then explains she actually only used nine…having spent the time making it I was determined all ten were going on my picture! The flower heads are attached using the end of the gathering thread with just a few tiny stitches. I think they’re gorgeous!
I’ve to make some silk leaves next but I need to dye some ribbon again, so I started on the trellis. This is stitched with raised stem stitch, so a framework of straight stitches across the wood is stitched first and then the stem stitch is done over the frame, almost like weaving with a twist, it took a bit of getting the hang of, particularly changing direction, but I got there in the end.
Next I will be embroidering the stems and the wisteria, hopefully that will be finished when I next show you my progress in three weeks time.
There’s quite a few of us taking part in the stitch-a-long, we post every three weeks on our own projects, there’s all sorts of different embroidery to see, why not have a look what everyone else is stitching, just follow the links to see some stunning projects;
Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Wendy, Mary Margaret, Timothy and Avis
Everyone is in different time scales, so if there isn’t a post when you first look, check later in the day. If you fancy joining us for the SAL, just send a message to Avis.
thecraftycreek 
Those hydrangea heads are just gorgeous! They have that lovely rounded shape, just like the real flower pompoms, and the variegated thread is perfect. Are the wisteria tassels also made up from French knots, or is it something different?
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Thanks Kate, the wisteria are french knots too – I’m getting lots of practice with them!
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Once you’ve finished this lattice diamond, you’ll either never want to look another french knot in the face, or you’ll be so expert at them they’ll never bother you again because you’re so speedy!
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It looks fantastic
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Thank you!
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I really like this project.
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Thanks Cathy, I’m pleased with it so far 🙂
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how clever!!!
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Thanks Claire, I think these stump work designers are very clever!
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I love your hydrangeas! Such a great way to stitch them too. The variegated thread has worked really well, and no doubt saved you time as you didn’t have to change threads!
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Thanks Catherine, it’s much easier with the variegated thread and I’m all for an easy life!
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I had to look up hydrangea in my dictionary, so now I know what flower it is (Hortensia in Swedish). I love the way your flowers look, fantastic!!!!!!
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I didn’t realise that’s where Hortensia comes from, it’s a very old-fashioned name over here!
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Hortensia in French too.
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I am in love with the hydrangeas! The variegated thread is the perfect combination of colors for them. What a fabulous twist on the yo yo quilting technique!
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They’re gorgeous aren’t they, I love the techniques in this book
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I actually saw that book available through an online quilt store awhile back. It really has some amazing stuff in it!
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Genius! and so realistic like all the other flowers in this piece.
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Thank you
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I love hydrangeas also. Yours are amazing. Can’t wait to see more.
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Thank you, hopefully I’ll have finished this block in 3 weeks time when I next post about it.
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That is a perfect technique for making realistic hydrangea heads! The variegated floss was a smart choice. 😉 If I thought you would ever part with this piece when it’s finished I would try to buy it off you!
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lol I think you would be in a long line and bidding wars would be in place lol. I doubt I could afford to buy this but I would certainly have a go if it were an option.
Helen
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Thanks Sue, I think there’s little chance of that 🙂
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I didn’t think there would be but I had to throw the thought out there. 😉 As Helen said, a bidding war would no doubt start and I wouldn’t be able to afford it in the end!
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Every time I see this piece it amazes me. I am completely in awe of the work you do, and I cannot blame you not even the tiniest bit, for wanting to use everyone of your precious flowers.
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Thank you, I definitely wasn’t going to waste it 🙂
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The hydrangeas are gorgeous! What a clever way to make them too 🙂
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Thank you
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These are just gorgeous & so life-like! xx
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Thanks Del, this always was my favorite block 🙂
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Your hydrangeas are beautiful! I never would have thought of this process to make them. So creative!
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This is the sort of gorgeousness that (almost) makes me want to take up embroidery. Those hydrangeas are so perfect.
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It is looking awesome!
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I like the 3D of your project. The french knot blooms are clever!
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