Hello From Stitch Pretty

I have decided to have a blog that is not specific to quilting so that I can post a variety of different articles which may cover hand embroidery, quilting, machine embroidery, textile art and anything to do with stitching.

My interests are so varied and each day I get caught up in something different that really interests me.  Sometimes it will be design work, another time preparation for a project or a scheme.

So this is the introductory post and I will add to the blog when time permits, as often as I can.  

Welcome if you are interested enough to read it.

The first image on the right is a paper, string and PVA glue design based on an old ruined wall at the back of Tewkesbury Abbey which was damaged when Henry VIIIth destroyed the monastery which used to be attached to the abbey.  This design was created as part of the Texture module for my Patchwork & Quilting coursework.  I haven't used it as a basis for any textile work just yet but I plan to do so at some stage.

This image on the left is a pencil drawing of a sleeve.  I studied Wars of the Roses for my coursework and found a painting of  some nobles in a garden each plucking a red or a white rose.  This extract was from that painting and I noticed how beautiful the men's garments were with the most amazing sleeves.

This design became a reverse applique with the sleeve lining in pink and the robe in black & gold.

The dagger was omitted from my stitched sample!

 Here is a sample of Hawaiian applique which I really don't enjoy doing.  You can probably tell that because it's obvious I kept it as simple as possible.

The design is cut from folded paper first and then reproduced in two layers of cotton.  The top layer is hand stitched with needle-turn applique.

It's unlikely I'll ever try this technique again but some people love it and each one is unique.


The coloured image is part of a hand embroidered landscape which took me absolutely ages to do.  Fields, trees, river and buildings.

I started a hand embroidery course on-line before changing over to the Patchwork & Quilting one which I have now completed.

After trying all these different things I have realised that I love hand embroidery and have now gone back to it and am just starting a Stump Work course.  So no doubt some of my efforts will end up on this new blog.

I've called this new blog Stitch Pretty because I always want to make pretty things with colour and visual appeal.  I like shiny, sparkly and transparent materials.
I used to make lots of organza pin-on flowers and that is where the name Stitch Pretty first came from. I took them to craft fairs and also produced lots when I participated in Open Studios in the Forest of Dean.  So I've come back to that name because although I am enjoying my excursion into quilting I'll never be passionate about it nor totally absorbed by it as some are.  Variety and experiment is more important and more fun.

Even so:  as we at Quilting Arts in Bredon work our way through our Sampler Quilts the blocks I make will be featured on here as well as the other stitching and textile work that I choose to dip into.
But variety is exciting so I do hope to keep this blog interesting and I hope you will come back from time to time and keep me company.