Bari J.

Embroidering Bijoux

As many of you know, embroidery was my first sewing love. My Bijoux fabric line, like Splendor 1920, features hand stitching. The Embroidery's Fortune prints are based on Mexican embroidery and are meant to be stitched on.

I'm thinking some tunics would be just gorgeous. For now, I've started stitching a bit with the intention of incorporating this into my Holiday in London duffle for our sew-along (starts monday!). I used applique foundation (my new favorite go to for stablizing) on the back of this because it can be easily torn off when you are finished. I've used a combination of stitches on this, and you can get quite creative if you'd like. On this piece I've used matching Aurifil floss which is very nice. The colors are super saturated and it comes on a wooden spool containing a double skein. I didn't do a matching set this time, but I did pick out the colors to make it easy for you. Happy stitching!!!

Aurifil Floss:

citron green, 1147

emerald green, 2870

blue/grey, 2600

mustard yellow, 2140

light blue, 5007

brown, 2155

periwinkle, 2540

hot pink, 2479

magenta, 2535

 

Embroidered Bindings

If you like hand stitching your bindings, here is a fun way to add a little extra handmade love to your quilts.

On this Bijoux quilt, I used 3 strands and a stem stitch to finish the binding on the back. Just stitch as you normally would, but make it visible with the stem stitch instead of a blind stitch. I love how this turned out.

Ahhhh... Days like today...

Ahhhhh... Days like today...

should happen more often. 

Today was a rarity around here. I drove my kids to school ... in my pajamas. I didn't even bother putting a bra on (much to their chagrin). When I got back I had breakfast and coffee, painted for a bit, and then I sat on the sofa and embroidered. All. Day. And I was at *work*, people... work. Seriously. The embroidery is for a pattern that's coming out this spring... so I can definitely say I was working. On the sofa, in my pajamas. Bliss.

At 2:30 pm I picked the girls up from school (still in my pajamas), and then sat on the sofa an hour more and embroidered. At 4pm I went to the gym where I took a grueling and totally awesome spin class. 

And now I'm showered and back in PJs!!! 

I quickly fed the troops soup and sandwiches for dinner, and I'm off to embroider until bedtime. Or paint. It's behind me calling my name.

Perfect. Day.

As far as Super Husband is concerned, however, I worked my butt off. I know you won't tell.

Ornament Blog Hop

Aurifil Ornament Blog Hop!

Today's my day! Here's a simple ornament using just back stitch, french knots and blanket stitch! 

Click here to download my ornament...  Download BariJ_AurifilOrnament

Instructions for assembling the ornament can be found here.

Be sure to hop over to Rosebud's Cottage  and Sarah Fielke to see what they have for you too! Happy sewing!

 

Fun was had by all... and then... sleep.

Fun was had by all... and then... sleep.

Hi there. Long time no see. I feel like I'm "just" back from quilt market, when really, it's been more than a week. The truth is, I'm only now recovering from it. I totally did myself in this time.  As fun and exciting as the process is, it is exhausting and stressful too. I was pretty hard on myself getting ready, and didn't get much sleep. I was inevitable... I got sick. And it was of my own doing because I wouldn't relax. Thank goodness for my friend Jona who did much of the job of driving home while I spent much of the time whining. I slept for two days when I got back.

At any rate, you don't want to hear all the poo poo about how tired I am... it was really very fun and super exciting to see how people reacted to the new fabric and patterns... And I met tons of wonderful people.

You may have seen much of this already if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook... but I did manage to take a few pictures of the booth with my good camera as opposed to the phone. So here goes...

Yes, I did drag a bed to quilt market... but if you sat on it you'd have ended up on the floor... air mattresses did the trick. No box spring.

Here's a closer look a the ruffle duvet cover ... yes. there will be a tutorial. But be forewarned, this is not a complicated project... but it's a dosey. I think it's like 12 yards of fabric. I estimated about 3000" of hem and ruffling to do. Yikes. However, IMHO, totally worth it in the end. 

I'm a stitckler for always having flowers in my booth... funny story. This time I forgot to order in advance. I hopped in a cab and asked them to take me to the nearest one on the map in my phone... Yeah, ummm... that was a UPS store. The real store was on the other side of town. WHY they put the address of the UPS store on their website, I'll never know. They actually posted store hours. Long story short? The driver took me to another shop which was actually closed for wedding prep, but the really really nice lady opened the door for me anyways (crying works, people) and sold me two bouquets AND had her delivery guy take me back to the convention center. Greenworks in Houston if you are interested.

Here is what I ended up putting the cross stitch into... I think it gives the pillow some oomph. 

And here is another view of the pillows... dresden is a classic 1920s pattern. It had to be done.

That's all the photo editing I've gotten through for now. My intent is to to go through each project in the booth over the next couple months and show ya' how I did it. Hold me to that, k?

Happy stitching!

 

Splendor 1920... cross stitch and embroider!

Splendor 1920 ... cross stitch and embroidery with Aurifil!

When I designed Splendor 1920, I had images of the ladies of Downton Abbey doing their beautiful embroidery work that you see on the set here and there. I'm not sure if they would have done cross-stitch, but I was anamored by the look of it. So, I designed a piece that you can both embroider and cross stitch right on top of to embellish. The only problem was, I really wanted a way of giving you some sort of kit to just grab the colors and go. So, I contacted the fabulous people of Aurifil, and asked if they might be interested in doing a box set of 12 of the colors in the line. And much to my surprise, they said yes! 

It's been a couple months coming, but I'm so happy to be able to show it to you now... A 12 spool box of 12wt Aurifil Cotton Mako threads for you to use with Splendor 1920 ... and any other projects you might see fit. It's awesome for both hand and machine stitching with a top stitch needle. I absolutely love this stuff, and I'm sure you will too.

The cross stitch piece in Splendor 1920 was designed to go from selvedge to selvedge. The thinking being, if you were to use the whole width for say, I child's dress, it would drape beautifully. The bottom part of the design features 3 border prints of differing widths and then the top part of the design is a tossed mix of cross stitch. I like the idea of using the borders for quilt borders, edges of skirts and coats, tea towels, pillows and so much more. I'll be showing you more of how it can be used on project in the days, weeks and months to come.

Aurifil Designer of the Month

Aurifil Designer of the Month...

It's me this month! This was a really fun block to do and I'm totally in love with Aurifil 12 wt. I had no problems with tangles and I just love how it looks on the fabric. My piece was based on the lily in LillyBelle. I used just three stitches: stem, back stitch and french knots. You can brush up on your stitches by watching the videos on my embroidery blog, We Love French Knots. For all the info, and the PDF pattern, go to the Aurifil Blog.

Where oh where did my Summer go?

I thought I'd get more done this summer than I did. In the end, I ususally over estimate my get it done prowess. I know some of you've been waiting on the Beachside Holiday pattern... it will be back from the quilter soon, and I promise I will bind it FAST and take photos. The pattern is done. I'm just waiting on a good photo for the cover. So, if I'm not overestimating my binding skills (ahem) it really will be done shortly.

Also, I did say I'd have the Fall Quilts and More in my shop and it is now there. (Wipes sweat off brow. Marks one thing off The List.)

And now I'm wondering... What else have I promised? Seems like I'm working my tushy off here. Although ... just thinking aloud here... the tushy seems rather large for having worked it off... and on the other hand, the juicing has really been helping... if you wondered.

On the sewing front, I made my little 2 year old nephew a t-shirt. The guy is obsessed with clocks for some reason. My sister has a photo of him sleeping with his wall clock. So for his birthday party he will be wearing this hand embroidered T-shirt. I'll post the pattern over on We Love French Knots for any of you who want a cute simple clock pattern. I hear toddlers love them. Apparently it's not just our little man.

I will admit that I did make curtains for our kitchen again this weekend. I say I'm "admitting it" because I might have a small problem with changing curtains in that same spot...this is the fourth curtain rendition for the area. Can you tell that this is one of my favorite prints from Paris Apartment? (hint: the background on this blog)

I blame it on being a fabric designer (and mind you I am not whining ... I am SO lucky). But you want to use your fabric for everything. And you really shouldn't have four million different fabrics in one room. So I'm trying to go more one tone... I didn't get too far on one tone, but this fabric does have a cream background. And I went and made pillows to go with them. I'm thinking I brought it together by mixing white and cream, no? We are getting closer to matching or something of the sort.

I have a couple projects that have got to get done... stuff for other people's blogs and such and then I swear to the heavens above I will finish that hex quilt that was for my sister, Ilisa's 40th birthday which was in April. I am SUCH a slacker bad sister!!! 

Ah, well, as I write, The List, it is a-growing. So have a super day, and happy sewing to you!

Sister Friend Pattern Now Available!

I told ya' I'd get it done! For your stitching pleasure, the PDF pattern for "Sister Friend" embroidery is now available in my shop!

Summer Break Stitching

As most of you know, I've been a stitching fool this summer. I've finally finished the Sisters embroidery and just have to finish up instructions and it will be a PDF pattern as promised... next week? I hope?

I also have promised you the Beachside Holiday quilt pdf pattern, and that is still forthcoming... I haven't forgotten.

In other news, I've started filling the shop with really great embroidery items. I now have my favorite interfacing, Heat and Bond woven cotton fusible in 45", plus there are great transferring tools such as transfer-eze and sulky pens, my favorite embroidery needles, plus 4 and 5" hoops! 

Also, be on the look out for the upcoming Quilts and More Magazine! I have a handbag kit in it that will be available on my website! 

That's all for now... be sure to visit We Love French Knots for awesome embroidery inspiration, reviews and more.

Paris Apartment has Arrived in Stores!

Were you wondering where you could get some Paris Apartment Fabric? Cause I know you want to make a Bari J. Green Living Market Bag in it, yo. (snort. I said, "yo" and it wasn't in a sentence with yo-yo.)

I updated the photo for the PDF pattern in some Paris Apartment fabric. You can get this pattern in my shop, fat quarter shop and on patternspot.com. 

Whoa... sidetracked again. My point was ... I was getting to ... I'm making a list of all who carry Paris Apartment Fabric. Below is who I know has it so far. I know there are more stores that have it cause I hear a whole bunch of it sold, so if you are a store who has it, be sure to let me know and I'll add it to the list that I'm about to put on the sidebar. And thank you, btw, for stocking it in your stores. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you are happy with this line.

Fat Quarter Shop

Hawthorne Threads

Hip Fabrics

Pink Chalk Fabrics

Sew Mama Sew

In other news, I've started posting embroidery stitch videos on We Love French Knots, so it's time to high tail it over there and get you a look! The big old Grand Launch is about to happen, and you are going to need to know the stitches to win goodies.

 

Slice Fabrique... Paris Apartment! Design card give-away!

 

This sure has become the land of give-aways lately. It's madness. But I promise you, you are going to want to stick around for this one.

It's time to give away a one of my Paris Apartment design cards for Slice Fabrique!

Of course, you do know that they're available from Strawberry Patches if per chance you don't win. I hear they are really popular at her store. Speaking of which, Susanne, we are passing through in July and I intend to halt the Ackerman-Mobile for a stop there. Hub and the kids will be *thrilled*, I'm sure. But Pam Kitty Morning tells me that it is a must do. And I always listen to Pam. Right, Pam? I always listen.

Wow... I digressed. Where was I?

How about a Slice Fabrique Machine to go with that card? You don't want a card without a machine, do you? That doesn't make much of a giveaway. Luckily, Making Memories has generously offered a machine as well. (No, Mom, Ilisa and Lara, you can not enter this giveaway.)

This little mint green sweetie makes the cutting fast and easy, and of course it is super accurate. As a bonus, I love the sound it makes as it's cutting. It's this low "I'm working and doing my thang" sound. I don't know. It just makes me happy. I also like to look under that clear plastic window and see the mechanism moving. (crazy town? I don't think so. I betcha' you'll do the same thing.)

 

Below are some projects I have already made. I think my next endeavor will be the dress form. I have a slight penchant for them. I should show you my little dress form collection one day.

You'll probably note that though I've machine appliqued each project I can't help myself but add little embroidered details. I think you should too. It seems only right that when machines are doing most of the other work that you should pitch in a teeny little bit.

This pillow was made for my booth at quilt market. I love that it fills up an entire 16" pillow.

Heather from House of A La Mode likes it a lot. I was watching her like a hawk 'cause I thought it might, you know, walk away. Heather loves pillows.

This is another version I did for the card's packaging. As a side note, Making Memories took this photo. I've been wondering whose bed this is because I think it needs a pretty quilt. I'm just saying. It's a nice photo and all, but I'd like to see some Paris Apartment fabric on that bed.

This tea towel comes as free project with full instructions with the card. Indeed, I have been wondering who's kitchen it is in. I'm liking the granite a lot. And I totally want to know what the cups say on the inside. I'll have to ask them about these things, huh?

I'm planning on incorporating this piece into a quilt possibly. You can embroider any message onto the banner that you'd like. This just says, "Paris". Apparently this little birdie has never been and would like to go. (That's a hint, Super Husband... read: I am the little birdie. I want to go to Paris.)

So, have I convinced you yet that this is a little device you simply can't live without? The bottom line is, the thing is too fun to pass up. The possibilities are endless. 

To enter to win... 

Leave a comment saying which applique you'll do first and what you'll put it on.

A winner will be picked on Friday the 24th using random.org.

Please visit the Slice Fabrique Blog

and the Slice Fabrique Facebook page for more information about the products.

 

And the winner is... #166, SoCalGal!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED, A WINNER HAS BEEN PICKED. Thank you too all who participated for your wonderful comments!!!

 

Cotton Floss Blog Tour & Give-Away!

(... or is it part of my evil plot to get you stitching this Summer?)

I'm so honored my friend, Natalie, asked me to be part of the blog tour for her first book, Cotton Floss. Natalie is an expert stitcher with such an unmistakeable style. I'm crazy for her work. And I know if you are not already a Cinderberry Stitches fan, you will be momentarily. You'll need to find out her other exciting news over at her blog, but here's a hint... she's has something in common with Monica, Lynette, Denise, Sarah, Meg, Brenda, Rosalie and moi.

But with out further Adieu... here it is! Do you love the owls as much as I do?

The dreamy cover leads to super fun projects that feature simple stitches and great ideas.

I particularly love the way Natalie tells a story with each of her designs. This is Lizzie. She's got a "cheeky" and charming personality like her adorable creator.

I couldn't resist diving right into this book. So I started with one of the blocks above. It is also featured as a cover you can make for your books, which is what I'm planning on doing with my block. I framed it with a little Paris Apartment ("le salle du Soleil" or "sun room" in the coral colorway).

I bet you'd love a copy of this book. Natalie generously sent one for me to give away. AND... I'm also throwing in a Paris Apartment charm pack, which by the by mixes quite nicely with our friend Monica's Happy Mochi Yum Yum. (M gave away a charm pack on her end of the tour... I totally copied her for this give-away. You can't blame me, can you? She's got some rockin' good ideas.)

Here's the dealy if you want to win... leave a comment here swearing on your life that if you don't already embroider, you'll start.

Alright. I'm just kidding. But really. Stitch, K? And leave a comment here to tell Natalie that she is the queen of stitches and you love her dearly and that if you don't win, you'll purchase the book straight away.

That's all. I'll pick a winner on Monday. Deal?

Thank you! 

Oh, and also, go to all these stops on the blog tour if you haven't already. You'll find not just the tour but a slew of incredible talent.

Sunday 6/12    Monica 
Monday 6/13    Amanda
Tuesday 6/14    Pam
Wednesday 6/15    Sarah
Thursday 6/16   Krista
Friday 6/17   Yours Truly... you are here already.
Saturday 6/18    Shari 
Sunday 6/19    Paige

 

 UPDATE: JUNE 20, 2011 -- The winner is #114

Indianna, please email me at bari at barijonline dot com to claim your prize!

 

A WINNER HAS BEEN PICKED. NO MORE ENTRIES, PLEASE.

 

 

My Favorite Floss and a crazy idea I had today...

How long have I been threatening to put embroidery floss on my website? 

Good news for all who have been asking about it... I finally pulled my head outa' you know where and did it!

Cosmo Multiwork will be here tomorrow in my nine favorite colors!

I gotta tell you, this stuff is the bomb. As you can see, it comes on a spool. And it's 2 strands already... no separating! It's the highest quality floss from Japan and sews like butter... butter, I tell you. (Think I'm excited about it?)

You can order them individually for $4.50 each or get 9 for the price of 8 at $36 when you order the all of them together. Make sure you choose the packaged version at the bottom of the page for the discounted price. 

In other news, I thought of a really sweet idea today that I'm not sure I can execute, but I'm gonna try like heck. Can't tell yet... but it will be for all of us who love embroidery. I'll let you know when I pull it off.

Happy Stitching!

Fabric Junkie Stitchery Pattern... a PDF

Summer has started, and I'm happily stitching away here in Bari-land... Last night I made this little cutie. I like little patterns you can do in an evening. Especially when my attention span is grossly compromised, like it has been lately. I also like to stitch in the evenings because otherwise I'd be rifling through the fridge looking for something to chow down on. Busy hands = no time to pop chocolate in my mouth.

This is the second Paris Apartment Stitchery Pattern... Fabric Junkie. It features the dress form from my fabric line. I know some of you were worried about doing some of the stitches. So I stayed away from the more difficult stuff. This one would be considered a beginner pattern. It's stitches are back stitch, French knots (limited doses) and a lazy daisy. 

You can get the pattern on my website (scroll to bottom) or on patternspot.com.

Secretly... ok not so secretly... my goal is to get everyone embroidering this summer. I'm telling you. It's easy. 

I can make it even easier on you: If you'd like to see a demonstration video on the stitches, click here to see my mini-class in C&T publishing's digital lounge.

Grab a hoop, grab some floss and get stitching, people. You're gonna love it. 

 

 

Stitch Your Own Paris Apartment

The original of this piece was made for an auction in SIsters, OR this summer where I'm teaching at The Quilter's Affair. So if you're going to be there come and bid high for a good cause!

But if not... I wouldn't want to leave you out. I've made it into a PDF pattern. And, not to leave you hanging if you don't already know the the stitches... there are 7 embroidery stitches included with detailed instructions and illustrations. Never you mind you'll only use five of them in this pattern. Two are just for fun! 

This pattern is based on my Paris Apartment fabric line, and will be one in a series of patterns.

You can get this pattern, here, on PatternSpot.com OR on my website (scroll to bottom).

Happy stitching!

Projects and Press

 

My mommy is in town for a visit. And she found the unfinished version of this pillow which I made in July for a class sample. It's a project in Inspired to Sew and this one is an UFO I'd entirely forgotten about. Mom wanted it and that was just the excuse I needed to divert my attention from what I was doing and make it into a pillow for her. Glad it's finished and has a new owner.

I did manage to finished up two of the Slice Fabrique projects and sent them off to Utah for photographs before I got distracted. Of course I took a few of my own before they left.

And in other news, my studio appears in the newest edition of Studios magazine with the one an only Ty Pennington on the cover!

And look! We're BFF's in the table of contents... Yup. That's my studio pictured right beneath his. 

Ty Pennington. Bari J. Ackerman. BFFs. 

I'll be getting a few copies in stock soon if anyone wants one. 

 

 

I Love Embroidery

This was going to be another zippy pouch. But then I spent an inordinate amount of time on the embroidery.

Cause I love hand stitchery.

The purple and red are all hand done and the stitching on the seams is by machine. Maybe now it wants to be a pillow?

Or add blocks and make a big quilt? Maybe a bigger handbag. What do you think?

BTW, it occurs to me... if you are interested in these stitches, I'll be teaching them in a free online class... You can check my sidebar for details. I promise it to be lots of fun. 

For those of you who are curious, the roses on the roofline are bullion stitch mixed with some french knots and lazy daisy stitches.

On the side of the house lavender is growing. Also made with bullion stitches. And on the ballerina's dress I added a little yellow rose made from bullion stitches.

And this is the piece prior to hand embroidery.

Any ideas? What should this be?

A valentine for you.

My mom was always big on Valentines day with her kids. There are four of us. And for each of us she always put something special in our rooms on Valentines Day morning. It made me feel really important to her, and it's something I always remember. I've made a point of doing the same for my kids. I little piece of jewelry, candy and other goodies has been our tradition. This year I'm also going to hang treats on their door knobs for an extra surprise. These are so simple to make and can be used throughout the year for all sorts of gifting purposes. This free pattern includes instructions for a rolled felt rose and for the the blanket stitch. Enjoy!

Download Vintagevalentine

 

 

The BIG reveal of my fourth Fall Sewing Pattern! Get Ready for a Soiree!

 

I. Am. So. Excited. About this quilt.

It has everything I love: embroidery, applique and collage... with instructions for all of it. You'll learn French knots, backstitch, stem stitch, free-motion quilting and freezer paper applique. And it features all the good things in life: petit fours, cake, flowers, cute shoes and presents... Really, what more could you ask for? 

 
 

 

 

 

The trim is the pre-made crochet that I love which will be available from Above All Fabric. 
      

 Pre-orders for retailers and distributors are available by emailing me at (Bari at BariJonline dot com.) TBD: Oct 20.

 

From Paper to Fabric

I find the process of creating endlessly fascinating. I never know where ideas will come from or where the smallest of ideas will take me. The only thing that is for sure is that I will wake up in the middle of the night thinking I've stumbled upon some sort of brilliance in my sleep. Often I wake in the morning to find that what I thought was brilliance at 3:14 am is nothing short of insanity. And then there's times that something just clicks. 

I had one of the clicking moments last weekend, and I haven't been able to get my mind off it since. 

I had been doodling Friday night and Saturday morning. Paper dolls. What I considered a complete waste of time, but oh, so enjoyable. 

Here's what I came up with:

   

And here's the WIP that I dreamt up at 3:14 am on Saturday morning...

 

I love it when that happens. And yes, I'm fool enough to fill in that whole ruffle on her dress with French knots... which will probably take me the better half of my life... but it will be worth every second!
 

 

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.