Wonderful Wednesday #77 - SeptemberHouse

In case you're not on Corinne's mailing list - there's a new 2020 Calendar Kit available now from SeptemberHouse! You'll want to jump on this purchase, as Corinne's kits tend to sell out!

I really love her use of purple in this one, and the way she's spelled out 2020 - it looks so grand and formal.

Project a Month: Wrap up - SeptemberHouse Calendar

And I'm finished! I'm quite happy with my stitching and the colors and stitches I chose for the SeptemberHouse 2019 Calendar Kit. I gave a brief overview of the kit contents in my first post here and an update of my stitching progress in my second post here.

When I last checked in, I was busy filling in the flowers, bemoaning my satin stitch, and enjoying the bright colors I'd chosen.

Then, quite suddenly, I hit a wall - does this happen to you when you're stitching a project over multiple days? First, I became bored with the colors I thought I loved, then, after looking at my calendar in different light I started feeling like I didn't even like my choices anymore!

Challenge: Choosing Colors

As luck would have it, I've been taking an online Color Theory class by Karen Barbé on a Spanish-language site called Domestika, which gave me the inspiration I needed to keep going!

I pulled out the little color cards I'd made for Karen's class, to "measure the temperature" of the colors I'd chosen:

Pink was really calling out to me, and I loved how it looked against the colors I'd already stitched. It was was a cool tone that I thought would contrast well with the comparatively warm colors I'd chosen for the rest of the stitching.

So I added a bright cotton candy pink as an accent:

And suddenly, I loved my calendar a lot more.

I used DMC 504 to chain stitch the inner border:

I had my stitching in my favorite hoop, stretched tight, which made chain stitching very uncomfortable!

Helpful Items

One thing I found very helpful was this Clover Coin Thimble I'd purchased some time ago...

Just so you know, the link above is an Amazon Affiliate link - clicking through the link and buying does not cost any more for you and is one way to support our volunteer reviews.

That coin tip on the Clover thimble bore the brunt of the pokes my needle gave me - it's a nice sturdy leather, a tad bulky, but really helpful if you're working on something large like this.

I again used DMC 504 and a leaf stitch on the little leaves framing the 2019. I always forget how much I love that stitch - it gives such a lovely texture.

And here she is, in all her finished glory:

DMC floss colors I used:
150, 605, 834, 832, 504, 3809 (2 skeins included with kit), 943, 926

I knew all along I'd hit a wall when it came to finishing the edges of the calendar - I'm no sewist - for some reason I have zero inclination to use a sewing machine. I've gotten some great easy finishing suggestions on Instagram, and I'll probably do one of those.

For now, I'm just beyond pleased to have finished my first Project a Month for Feeling Stitchy!

More about SeptemberHouse

As I mentioned in my last post, the 2019 Calendar Kit is sold out, but you should definitely check out Corinne's shop for more of her beautiful patterns. If you love this calendar, get on her mailing list to find out when the 2020 calendar is in her store!

For more on SeptemberHouse visit:
Her Instagram: @septemberhouseoninstagram
Her Blog: https://soseptember.blogspot.com/
Her Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/septemberhouse

ALL SEPTEMBERHOUSE CALENDAR POSTS

#1 - Calendar Kit Started

#2 - Calendar Kit In Progress

Project a Month: SeptemberHouse Calendar WIP

Hello all! I'm here to report my progress on the SeptemberHouse Calendar...

As I mentioned in my update last week, the calendar kit has sold out. If you like this design I recommend a browse through Corinne's shop - she has many lovely patterns for sale! My personal favorites are her Solar Flare kit, Circus designs, Butterfly patterns and Modern Monograms. She has a beautiful sense of color, and unique color palettes in her designs, which I believe set her apart from other designers.

Up above, you'll see I added 2 new colors to the calendar, DMC 504 and DMC 832, in addition the the two I began with. I chose colors that would echo what Corinne had done in her example photo. I'm not reproducing all of her elements, but I did want to include some, as they are stitched so beautifully.

So, I used chain stitch and satin stitch where she did on this flower, and here I did buttonhole stitch as she did:

One thing I love about this project is the chance to try out stitches and colors I might not have chosen on my own, and see how it looks.

Next, I added a lovely cherry red shade, DMC 150 which called out to me from my pile of threads. I like the contrast, and I decided I was enjoying incorporating more satin stitch into this piece...

Next I tried the Circular Rhodes stitch, in the same spot Corinne did hers - but I'm sure I didn't get it quite right (although I started off well). No matter, I just kept going!

Then I added this bright teal, DMC 943 to the leaves, and loved how it looked (although my satin stitch is FAR from exemplary here).

I love that bright pop of color and the contrast with the other colors I've used!

I used a buttonhole stitch on the bigger leaves in the same DMC 943...

Really enjoying how that looks! So, there is my progress so far, hope you are enjoying it, if you're on Instagram, feel free to follow my (somewhat) daily progress at @nyfloresita.

ALL SEPTEMBERHOUSE CALENDAR POSTS

#1 - Calendar Kit Started

#3 - Calendar Kit Finished

Project a Month: SeptemberHouse 2019 Fabric Calendar

Hello stitchers! I'm excited to be beginning a new year, and a new series on Feeling Stitchy called Project a Month! In it, my goal is to to stitch one embroidery project a month, and share my progress here on the blog (and on Instagram).

With the Project a Month feature I would like to highlight small businesses on Etsy or elsewhere, my goal is to think SMALL and focus on small businesses this year!

First up, is this beautiful 2019 Calendar Embroidery Kit by SeptemberHouse! At last look, it was still available for purchase in her store, but I have a feeling they may sell out soon... Edit 1/18/19 - The kit does appear to have sold out. I hope you'll enjoy following along with my progress nevertheless, and explore her patterns and get very excited about next year's calendar!

I have long admired Corinne's beautiful patterns and fabric calendars, but this is the first one I have ever attempted.

My first impressions of the kit:
The kit came with preprinted fabic, basic directions, and two skeins of matching floss, in this case DMC 3809. There were 4 colorways to choose from: Midnight, Juniper, Lemongrass, and Smoke, but I settled on Juniper because I'm a sucker for teal.

I love the fabric - it's a perfect weight for stitching, in my opinion. The edges are unfinished, so you will need to finish the edges with either machine or hand stitching. I also love that the kit includes 2 skeins of floss - for the price, I think it's a great deal. The bag the kit comes in is resealable - something I love since I usually keep my WIPs in plastic baggies - perfect size to tuck in my tiny pink scissors and threads, as you see here.

You can stitch this design as simply or as in depth as you like - either use the 2 skeins to stitch up just the outlines, or fill in the lines however you see fit! Corinne provides a list of suggested colors to inspire you.

I decided I wanted to stitch something like the example photo - which looks so lovely, but I was curious about the colors Corinne used and the stitches:

When I wrote to her to ask about her colors and stitches Corinne was kind enough to send me a PDF including all the DMC colors she used in her example photo, and the stitches! She also included suggested DMC shades for all of the calendars.

My stitching progress so far:

I used the included floss for most of the outlines and a nice greyish blue - DMC 926 for some contrast. I would like to stitch something like the example photo, we'll see which colors I choose!

I'm loving this calendar so far!

What are you stitching this month?

Have you stitched a SeptemberHouse calendar?

All Septemberhouse  Calendar Posts

#2 - Calendar Kit In Progress

#3 - Calendar Kit Finished

Wonderful Wednesday #61: Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I am utterly charmed by this free Mr. Rogers pattern by SeptemberHouse, which was featured in her Spring newsletter. I, too, grew up watching Mr. Rogers as a child, and being fascinated by his gentle, kind manner which explained the world to me in such wonderful ways, awakening a sense of wonder for everything in the world around me. I am so grateful for the lessons of people who give back to their communities by sowing seeds of hope in young people, as it is undoubtedly children who possess the keys to our future.

Lately, I find myself encountering this idea of being a neighbor, over and over again. I see again and again, this guiding principle of being called to be a neighbor to everyone around us, because it is in remaining in community with each other, no matter how different we are, that we are made strong. Seeing this pattern, and the renewed interest in Mr. Rogers, reminded me that I was given this lesson at a young age, by someone who chose to call me part of his community, someone who chose to call me his neighbor. I am so grateful that I was able to grow up to be an adult, and seek to learn this lesson of being a neighbor, too.

Thank you Corinne at SeptemberHouse for this lovely free pattern! If you haven't visited her shop, I highly recommend a visit, too!

Christmas Countdown #22: September House

These Festive Flock patterns by September House are gorgeous - I love the elegant colors and imaginative stitches:

Patterns: Happy Houseplants

Happy Houseplants by SeptemberHouse

I love the new pick and mix style houseplants pattern by SeptemberHouse. The pattern has the plants and the containers separately, so you can choose which plant goes where, I love all the possibilities that gives you! 

Patterns: Snowflake Chalet

Septemberhouse - Snowflake Chalet

This lovely pattern set by Septemberhouse, is perfect not only for the holidays but for the whole winter season. As per usual with Septemberhouse designs, I think there's lots of scope to add your own individual touch, by experimenting with colours or the size you stitch the pattern up in. Or of course you can follow the excellent instructions in the .pdf to recreate the pieces as they are, as they look pretty darn good to me already!

Patterns: Wind and Water

Japanese Hand Embroidery Patterns from SeptemberHouse by SeptemberHouse

SeptemberHouse has a new pattern set out, yay! I love the Japanese feel of this one and as usual her gorgeous choice of colours and stitches. As well as the three miniatures above there is also a lovely cherry blossom design.

 Cherry Blossom Hand Embroidery Pattern by SeptemberHouse

And what got me really excited about all the possibilities, a repeating pattern.

Japanese Fishing Boats Hand Embroidery Pattern by SeptemberHouse

You can find the pattern set, aptly named Wind and Water, here.

Some favourites of 2012

L to R, top to bottom

1. Kindersquad by SeptemberHouse
2. The Crown by What Delilah Did
3. Tattooed Ladies by Sew Lovely
4. Do Small Things with Great Love by Nana Company
5. Elsa Mora

2012 has been a fantastic year for embroidery, I can't wait to see what 2013 brings! Happy New Year everyone!

Patterns: Season's Stitchings

Photos from  Septemberhouse

There's something about Septemberhouse's patterns that always make me go "squee" when I see them and boy did I squee loudly when I saw these! I love how they fit a range of different hoop sizes, how one of the patterns include applique and the colour scheme for the elf in particular works so well. I can see these patterns working particularly well in making small gifts this holiday season. You can find the pattern set here.

Patterns: Four Seasons Embroidery

Four seasons embroidery patterns by SeptemberHouse

Is it too early to think about Christmas stitching? I can hear everyone groaning from here. Ok, so this may be one to download to save for a little later but I think this free embroidery pattern by SeptemberHouse not only goes fantastically on top of her fabric calendars but it would also look good on so many other things to.

Patterns: Stitches Del Sol

Seamless surface pattern by September House

The sun is shining here in the UK today, so it's time for some sunny stitching, so September House's new pattern set is just perfect. Stitches Del Sol is a gorgeous, detailed pattern set crammed with patterns that demand to be stitched now!

I can just imagine this pattern on the bottom of a simple summer linen skirt, but it would look just as good bordering a pillow case, table cloth, napkin . . . . the possibilities are endless.

Border by September House

Whereas these would make great wall decorations with a Mexican vibe.

Animals by September House

I hope the sun is shining where you are today. Happy stitching for whatever you're working on!

Patterns: Kindersquad

Kindersquad Free Embroidery Pattern by SeptemberHouse

Eep I love these, perfect for the little ones (or maybe not so little ones) in your life. I love the use of fill stitches on these patterns, specially with the insect boy's eyes and the flower girl's hair. You can find the patterns (for free - thank you Corinne!) here.

Patterns: &Stitches

Feeling Stitchy bloggers Carina and Nicole have just launched an exciting new e-zine called &Stitches. A quarterly e-zine, each issue has a theme and for the first issue their theme is colour, so cue lovely, bright embroidery patterns from Nicole, Carina and for this issue, their guest embroidery designer is none other than Corinne from SeptemberHouse, with a brilliant fish design.

As well as three fantastic embroidery patterns (as well Corinne's fish, Nicole has designed a lovely text based Spring pattern and Carina has designed a very cheerful felt applique bird), there are articles on finding colour inspiration from objects around you and colour theory, which I think will be very useful for that all important first step (colour selection) in embroidery projects. There are also interviews, book reviews and a how to for an embroidery stitch that I've certainly never heard of and I'm always up for learning new stitches.

All this and great photography to, I certainly enjoyed reading this issue of &Stitches and will be eagerly looking forward to future issues. If you would like to check out &Stitches, Nicole and Carina are very kindly offering a discount to Feeling Stitchy readers, you can find the &Stitches shop here, just enter the code ORANGE at checkout to get 15% off! This offer is available till Wednesday 18th January (CET).

I Love Books

Me too! But sometimes I forget how much fun it is to read. I probably should stitch this pattern and hang it on the wall as a gentle reminder to spend less time with my computer and  more time reading! Pattern is from a rather wonderful and just released pattern set called 'Booksmart' by Corinne of  Septemberhouse.

Patterns: one for the girls and one for the boys

I play with dolls by Aimee Ray

Aimee Ray recently created this free pattern, 'I play with dolls' to celebrate Girl's Day in Japan*, which was on 3 March. You can find out more about Girl's Day and download the pattern, on Aimee's blog, here.

And not to exclude the boys (although of course there's nothing wrong with boys playing with dolls ;) ), I thought I'd also mention this other great free pattern I've noticed recently, this one from September House.

Real Live Boy Embroidery by Septemberhouse

Corinne from September House made this free pattern for Celebrate the Boy 2011, a great series of blog posts over on Made and Made by Rae, you can find this lovely Pinocchio pattern over on the September House blog, here.

*My thoughts are still very much with the people of Japan right now.