A Sample Book

I love hand stitching. I enjoy the slow process especially on evenings as the very last activity of the day. It´s very relaxing. 

There is still the raven which has to be stitched, quilted, embellished. 

The multicoloured log cabin (made from fabric selvages) gives me the great opportunity to try out as many stitches as possible.  Well, I must confess, I actually don´t have a command of that many… 

I´m not a systematic person, unfortunately. But this time I had to admit that I needed a system.  A sample book. To learn new stitches, to learn new stitch combinations, to try out various embroidery threads.

Well, the decision was made. After a while, an old ring binder was found. 

Years ago, the kids embellished it with stickers, which I found not very nice. I didn´t want to invest the energy in removing those and chose for making a cover instead.

Checking my stash, I discovered a piece of batik fabric with printed leaves on it. It was made a long time ago during a workshop in our Lady´s club. I knew immediately, it was the right one. 

It wasn´t wide enough so I combined it with some jelly rolls by Jinny Beyer.

 The „pages“ of the future sample book are made from the ironing board fabric, which is stiff enough but pliable as well to stitch trough. 

 

I added the two pieces wool I used for some stitches in january. 

Let´s begin! My study material are primarily the great books by Sue Spargo, but I ordered also a book about crazy stitching. It´s on its way now!

Happy stitching!

Michaela