Melody Stitches

For Christmas 2020, I made a Star Wars Cross-Stitch double picture of a stormtrooper and Darth Vader. I started it in the Summer and it took many months and hours despite being a relatively simple design (black/white). Pattern here . I chose this pattern for its simplicity. I thought that the opposing black/white patterns were a nice contrast. The concept was easy. Black thread on white fabric and white thread on black fabric. At least in theory. Design/Marking: The pattern itself was well done and easy to follow. I chose to mark the fabric to aid in counting. On the white fabric, it was easy. I used heat erase pens and then ironed them out afterwards. With the black fabric, the pens would not show. I used a grease pencil which took a bit of washing afterwards to come out. Sewing: I'd made small projects on black aida cloth before, but something of this scale was difficult. Black fabric makes it hard to see the holes and while I do cross-stitch partially by feel, it stil...

  I am a bit of a contradiction sometimes. I still love Disney Princesses, but I also enjoy horror movies and dark stories. One of my little cousins also shares these interests. One of her favourites is Pennywise the Clown. Last year for Christmas, I made my first felt toys for her: The Pattern was created by Cutest Voodoo on Etsy. I've been working on my hand sewing skills off and on for years now. I can do a few basic things on a machine, but I just find hand sewing more satisfying and fun, even if it does take longer. These felt toys are completely handmade. The details on the face are partially embroidered and part felt. I was impressed with how easy these were to make. Cutting them out took the longest, but the sewing was fairly quick. For the felt, I ordered a Merino Wool Blend from Gingermelon . This felt was soft and easy to work with. Also, the colours were perfect. The toys were a big hit with my cousin, although she was just as afraid of them as she was happy...

I picked up cross-stitching as a hobby to do while I watch TV and my first few pieces were gifts for my family members. I don't have pictures of all of them, but one of the earliest series I did was one featuring Justice League logos.  All of them were made on Ready-to-Stitch Frames that I found at Michael's. These are great. The aida cloth is already stretched over a frame and they are the perfect size for small pieces. They also cost around $13 for 3, so they are relatively inexpensive. They are all based on free patterns I found on the internet and then adapted to suit the medium. I don't have links to them all anymore, but I will add them as I find them again.  Notes:  I made the Flash one first and it's hard to tell, but it is made with two alternating shades of red. I learned that stitching the entire background takes forever and that is why the Batman logo is on black aida cloth and the others do not have full backgrounds. One of the modifications I made ...

I've started a series of Cross-Stitch patterns based on Disney Princess Silhouettes. The patterns are not my own and can be found here . However, I am altering the colour schemes of the silhouettes to add a little bit of my own personality to them. My first one is Cinderella: This pattern caught my eye because I love the clock design and how it is more than a silhouette. It captures one of the key moments of the story: the moment before the clock strikes midnight. The original piece:      I chose to maintain the blue colour theme because of the original piece and to honour Cinderella's blue dress. As I complete each princess, I'll be adding a colour scheme that I feel reflects the piece. Pictures from my version:        Front                                                      ...