It’s three weeks since I last showed you my Tall Square Year etui, it’s a design by Betsy Morgan published in Classic Inspirations last year. I had just finished the winter side so all four seasons were complete, it was mini happy dance…
Since then I’ve spent a fair few hours stitching my etui, I stitched the little square first which will be a side of the thimble keep in the middle. It has a robin in the middle to match the side.
The next piece to be stitched is the lid, this has a quarter in each season’s colours. I should really have done this as I went a long, instead I’ll have to get the sides out and work out what colours I used so it all co-ordinates. I’m making a slight variation to the design here, Betsy has the lid with the sides just folded over the edge, in other words it doesn’t have corners to hold it all firm. You can just about make it out in the photo from the magasine. I’d rather have a box like lid with proper corners and sides so instead of the lid being a square with it’s corners chopped off, mine is a cross shape, I’m just extending the pattern a little so I can have straight sides to stitch together into corners. If you’re not following this then hopefully it will make more sense when I’m making it up!
Anyway, back to the stitching! I’ve stitched the main outlines and the winter side of the top, it’s on ivory evenweave which looks nice and crisp against the colours. I’ve just realised that the floss I used for the flying geese border is the same in autumn as it is in winter, so I’ll have to have a slight change there.
This stitch-a-long is organised by Avis, we post about our own choice of projects every three weeks, it’s great for motivation and encouragement, so if you fancy joining our little party, please send a message to Avis. In the meantime please follow the links to see all the other wonderful projects;
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose,
Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Heidi,
Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Tony, Megan, Catherine, Deborah, Connie, Clare
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, a celebration of all things hand stitched. So please follow the link for even more hand-stitching!
thecraftycreek 
I get what you mean about the lid, and I’d definitely want a boxy lid too. It’s looking very pretty.
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Thanks Kate, I think it’s the right decision 🙂
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Great progress, very pretty
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Thank you
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I have loved following this project. Needlework smalls are a never ending addiction and I’ve always wanted to tackle one of these boxes. I agree on the lid – a box lid that will actually stay put is a better option.
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Thanks Karla, I’m getting quite a collection of smalls, having run out of wall space for pictures!
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that is a very pretty piece you are working. I haven’t done that kind of work in years and mainly quilt now with a little crochet but I remember the patience this work takes
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Thanks Karen, it is taking some time, not helped by being one of many projects 🙂
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always too many projects!
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You are on the down slope for stitching this project, I hope you can sort your threads easily, that would be frustrating for me! I like your pattern change, I bet you are much happier with that lid. Is there a lot more stitching after the lid, or will it then be putting everything together?
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There’s a rectangle border on each pocket, so not too much
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Your idea to make a proper boxy lid is a good one I think. It’ll look so much more crisp that way. Loads of lovely progress again 🙂
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Thanks Avis, I think it will sit much better
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I bet you can’t wait to reach the sewing together stage!
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I’m looking forward to starting to put it together, but with a little trepidation – I don’t want to spoil it at the last step and the putting together doesn’t look simple!!
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I think the boxy lid will be better as well. What a pretty box you wil have when it is done!
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I am so looking forward to seeing the completed etui! It’s quite the project, and is looking so pretty.
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I think that I would go for a more boxy lid too! Really enjoying following your process with this little etui.
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Thanks Deborah, it’s taking a while 🙂
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The best things come to those who wait!
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So beautiful – it will be quite the piece when it is done!
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Thanks Tierney, it’s a very pretty design
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This box is so beautiful and I think I know what you mean about the lid and I would probably do it your way!
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Wow, you’re stitching is exquisite . . . what a pretty piece!! 🙂
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Congrats on the mini happy dance. It looks beautiful.
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It’s looking lovely. I see what you mean about the lid. I think your way of doing it is much better.
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Such a lovely piece, and I think you’ve made the right decision with the boxy lid. Can’t wait to see you make it up!
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Thanks Catherine, I think it will work out better.
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Stunning, I have never tried a proper thread count before such as this. Your stitching is perfect, perfectly gorgeous
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It’s really coming on, I can’t believe I’m almost 3weeks behind on my reading! Can’t wait to see the next update which will be very soon!
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