Last month I needed to make something for the Christmas Decoration Swap organised by Deborah of Sweet Fallen Angels, it had to be a surprise so hence no spoilers on here! It took me a while to think what to do, it needed to be fairly quick to sew, like two or three evenings, which ruled out cross-stitch, but I wanted it to look good. I turned to Pinterest for a bit of inspiration and finally decided to embroider a snowflake, well a snowflake with artistic license as mine has eight points to it instead of six!
I looked through my scrap box and found some lovely dark blue Liberty lawn left over from a dress I made in the summer. It was perfect for a midnight blue sky colour. It’s fairly fine cotton so I laid some calico behind to give it a bit of strength. I wanted to mark the eight points on the fabric to try and keep it neat and even. I thought about pencil but I decided to use my hera marker, I’ve only used it for making bias binding before. I was amazed how sharp and visible a line it made.
I embroidered a ‘baseline’ snowflake pattern in a variegated DMC thread in very light greys and blues using back stitch and fly stitch. I decided to add a bit of sparkle – Christmas decs always need a bit of sparkle! I used an Anchor Lame silver thread, it’s the only metallic thread I’ve found that I actually enjoy stitching with! I stitched a clear sequin in the centre and used the silver thread to make a star shape around it.
I then started embellishing it with beads and sequins and adding further silver stitches to echo the original fly stitches…
… The bit I found difficult was knowing when to stop! I started to add further fly stitches in silver but I decided it detracted from the design.
I embroidered the snowflake in the little 4″ hoop because that’s how I wanted to present it, I seem to have acquired half a dozen of this size hoop. I’m never quite sure how to finish a hoop embroidery at the back so I sort of made it up as I went a long! I place a circle of fleece and a circle of card in the back, trimmed the calico as short as I could and the Liberty lawn to about half an inch. I then dabbled with glue to stick it to the inside rim of the hoop. A final circle of felt neatened it all off. I made a length of cord to hang it with and my decoration was ready.
I’m really pleased with my snowflake, I’m almost tempted to make one for myself as well!
thecraftycreek 
Oh my goodness that is so lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anyone would want to receive such a sparkly Christmas gift as this! Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely. And being a ‘blue’ enthusiast, it’s just right! 🙂 I’ve had to make a star for our embroidery group’s Christmas dinner and I found it a challenge to be honest – trying to be different and having grand ideas in my head which just didn’t come to fruition. Ah well…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely – I definitely think you should make one for yourself too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The snowflake is really cute! Your embellishments really make it pop. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, how wonderfully creative you are. That snowflake is gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is beautiful and I was very pleased to receive such a thoughtful gift. Your glasswork decoration is now hanging from our kitchen window as I felt the colours would be lost on the Christmas tree. Thank you so much for joining in. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous snowflake! I think the recipient will be thrilled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
very pretty. I like the sequins – bling but not overloaded with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is adorable… really lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so pretty! My local quilt group has a Christmas swap coming up – something like that would be well- loved!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You must make one too, so pretty, ad I am tempted too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, well done! You tempt me to make one like it. I’ve always fretted about finishing the back of a hoop when it doubles as a frame. Your solution seems to have worked very well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely piece! Off to see your other posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! Love the sparkle, just like a real snowflake!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I love that Margaret!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Margaret, this little snowflake is beautiful, I’m sure the lady that received was really pleased. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very pretty! It’s always lovely to see projects with not a lot of stitches come together so well. I’m sure your gift was well received!
LikeLike