About a month a go I signed up for Faby Reilly’s Lizzie Stitching Wallet stitch-a-long. I was planning to make a stitching wallet of some kind anyway as I think it will be useful for Skipton Embroidery Guild days. This one will be very pretty too, it will include a scissor holder. needle case, etc, all in Faby’s lovely style.
The patterns are released on a Monday, we have one or two weeks to stitch it, depending on how much work there is to do. Last week I stitched all the back-stitching which brings the lisianthus and the hydrangeas alive. I decided at that point to leave out the beads as I was stitching on a round hoop, aiming to add them all at the end. It looked like this…
This week we were stitching the folds of the wallet, like the spine of a book. It’s a trifold wallet, so the flowers we’ve stitched so far will be the bit that folds inside (I think!) There’s a narrow spine and a wider, outer spine. They’re stitched in one of my favourite DMC colouris threads which is in very pretty shades of pink and green, using Algerian Eye stitch. It makes a lovely border.
The borders are then embellished with beads and sequins, this is the point my will power failed me! I just couldn’t stitch this border and not add the extras until the end, so I ordered a basic roll frame on a stand which will sit on my table.
The sequins are pearlised so they look different colours in different lights. They look a bit blue in some lights, but I’m sure I’ll get used to them! They are meant to be round with eight stitches to hold them in place. The ones I found on ebay were flower shaped, they’re very pretty with six ‘petals’, so I stitched them on with six stitches.
I remembered just in time to stitch my beads on with a cross-stitch so they lie nice and flat and secure. I used beads from my stash and added the beads to the first section too for the hydrangea flower centres and around the frond.
I had fun and games when my frame arrived. Now when I say ‘basic’frame, it was only just over £10, including postage from China, so there is a limit to what you can expect. If I hadn’t been so impatient it would have been nice to sand the edges a bit, as they are a somewhat rough and ready. My main problem was the instructions, they consisted of a sheet of paper, about A5, with about 10 diagrams or small photos on and all the instructions in Chinese!!! I couldn’t even google translate!!
Well I’ve put it together and it works, not sure if it’s right though! There was a box screwed to the side which didn’t appear to have a purpose, so I’ve taken that off, maybe it was to pop scissors in? There are two wooden bits a bit like a cork with a hole down the middle, the only way I found to fit the embroidery frame inside the stand is to have one of these corks on the inside and one on the outside!…but it’s a square frame and it works! I haven’t stitched on it yet, so I’ll let you know how it goes!
So this is my Lizzie Stitching Wallet so far, I think we stitch the centre back next. The next pattern comes out on Monday 🙂
I’m linking up tomorrow with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, why not follow the link and see what everyone else has been stitching.
thecraftycreek 
Have you seen the finished wallet, or just a description? This could be quite the mystery SAL!
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Hi Kathy, all I’ve seen is the photo at the top,which was enough toy know I like the colours and I already know I like her style, so it is totally a mystery SAL!
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I know you are happy you joined, this little bit is already wonderful!
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wow beads really make the whole thing sumptuous!
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I agree, they just add that something 🙂
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Gorgeous! And well done for solving the frame mystery; it looks complicated but efficient.
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Thanks Kate, the frame is not thing of beauty but it does the job!
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It really is glorious already so I can only imagine how fabulous the finished thing is going to be. Had to laugh at your antics with the Chinese frame!
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Thanks, can’t wait to see the finished design! I might have had better luck with the frame if I didn’t try and put it together at 10 o’clock at night 🙂
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This is wonderful, the fabric looks so difficult to see. I love the border.
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Thanks Cathy, once you get your eye in evenweave linen is pretty easy to stitch.
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This is a really special design, with those beads adding so much to the overall effect. Can’t wait to see what it will look like when complete. Well done you for putting together that Chinese frame! 😇
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Thanks Del, I’m really enjoying this SAL
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Well done on the frame puzzle! I feel your pain. I can only understand things when there’s ikea diagrams to hand.
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Give me Ikea instructions any day! I’ve always argued that Ikea instructions are written for women 🙂
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Definitely! Nice and clear instructions. It’s not rocket science, but some institutions make it sound that way!
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Those flower shaped sequins are gorgeous!! I have to get me some!!! I also love that DMC coloris thread – it looks so effective and is such a pretty mix of shades, this is going to be so gorgeous when it’s complete 😀
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Thanks Bella, I bought the sequins on ebay, only £1.50 for 750!!!, so if you want some of mine to try, send me your address and I’ll post a couple of hundred down!
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That is so very kind of you – thank you so much for the offer but unfortunately (for my bank balance that is) I think I found the same seller you bought from and found a whole heap of things I’d love to buy, their price on seed beads is also very good – damn the internet for having so many lovely crafty bits to tempt us!! 😉
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Those beads and flowers add a special touch to your project. I did not know to add beads with a cross stitch. There will be beads on my current project so I will be using this method to attach them when the time comes. Thanks!
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Just gorgeous! Loved reading the story about the chinese frame… LOL!
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Such a pretty design! I love the beads, they really do add to the design. I love your challenge with the frame. I’m so glad I’m not the only who struggles with things like this!
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Thanks Cathie, give me Ikea instructions any day!!
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This is a gorgeous design! Looking forward to seeing your progress.
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Such lovely work! I know it will become a beautiful and useful finish.
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I have a similar frame and yours looks like it is put together correctly. I really love this piece. It looks wonderful with the beads.
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