My first sewing love... embroidery.

 Way back when I first started sewing I am sorry to admit, I was afraid of the sewing machine. 

But with a penchant for fabric and thread, I did what any good color addict does, I started stitching by hand. I had picked up The Embroidery Stitch Bible at B&N, and away I went. It is truly what brought me to sewing.

I've gotten away from it for some time now... just busy with all the other stuff. 

Then prior to quilt market I got into it again with the idea of freely stitching embroidery and mixing it with collage and applique. The result of which was this pillow:  

The yellow border is turned under, hand stitched applique and then the center is collage using free motion quilting.

I then added bits of embroidery on top.
 

 

 

Over the past few months I've become more and more interested in this mix it up concept. Then in July I was introduced to the work of Judith Baker Montano... She was teaching at Sisters and I bought two of her books there... Floral Stitches and Elegant Stitches. You saw her crazy quilts in one of my posts below about Sisters. Seeing her work sort of brought me to a full circle of where I've been going in sewing for the past several years, and definitely reminded me how much I love to hand stitch.

These days I just can't get enough. I've started a new quilt pattern that I can't wait to get out to you. 
At the top of this post and below are a few bits and pieces of what I've been doing using Country Lane (which is now in stores, btw. Visit Fat Quarter Shop to get yourself some!)

 

  
 Anyways, lots of fun is being had here in my studio... and elsewhere as this is one portable sewing art! I am really looking forward to introducing this pattern... I think you all are just going to fall in love with embroidery as much as I have.

Comments

[rosie/the fabric shopper]

1.

Oh my goodness! I love how you are mixing it all together. I mean LOVE! That is so inspiring. I am totally gushing but I absolutely LOVE it :-)

[Stefanie]

2.

I absolutely L-O-V-E this! Your embroidery really made the desgin standout. Thanks for the yummy eye candy!

XOXO,
Stefanie

[Melissa]

3.

Aw so cute! I adore your style.
I've tried to make those *real* stitches before, like the buillion (sp?) for the roses, but mine look awful. Guess I'll stick to backstitch and chainstitch!

[Scott]

4.

these are all very lovely....you do wonderful work, Bari!! are you using wool? or Cosmo?? the roses are Truly Amazing in the 4th and 5th pictures....and the scalloped trim piece? Beautiful!! No wonder you are doing a book called Inspired to Sew!!