Red Work Inspired Sampler Part 4 - Finishing Touches

Hi everyone, this is Chantal here, with the Finishing Touches for our Red Work Inspired Sampler. First, may I say thank you to all of you for stitching along with me for our Red Work Inspired Sampler featuring Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Inks and Background Stamps from Clearsnap. I hope you have enjoyed learning new stitches while combining stamping on fabric, and if you are a seasoned stitcher, the joy of continuing to work with needle and thread. I would like to share with you a few of the Finishing Touches ideas and inspirations and as always a few Success in Stitching tips.

I chose to create a pillow with my sampler using a simple quilting technique by creating a border on the outer edges and adding mother of pearl buttons to the back. The possibilities are endless on what you can do with your sampler, so sit back, pour a glass of sweet Ice Tea and let’s get started on the finishing touches of our sampler….

Trim all threads close to the stitching and press sampler from the backside or use a pressing cloth
Cut fabric strips to the desired width plus seam allowance.
Pin 1 fabric strip to the left side and one to the right side, right sides together and aligning raw edges. Using sewing machine, sew a straight stitch

Trim threads; press seams to one side.
Pin 1 fabric strip to top and 1 fabric strip to the bottom, right sides together, aligning raw edges and sew as in step 3.

Trim threads; press seams to one side.

***Add lace, buttons or embellishments, if desired.

Cut a second piece of fabric, larger than the size of the now pieced sampler.
Cut the piece in half, fold over extra fabric on one side so as to make the two pieces equal to the pieced sampler.

Pin right sides together; stitch around all 4 sides. Trim corners; turn right side out. Press to flatten seams.

Fill the pillow with down, fiberfill or choice of stuffing. Pin closed

Sew buttons to back of pillow to close opening.

Success in Stitching Tips

*When trimming threads be sure to trim close to the fabric and press threads so they are not visible when finishing the sampler

* To frame the sampler, use a mat to keep the glass from resting directly onto the sampler.

*This sampler (depending on the size) would also make a lovely pocket for a hostess apron!!

*Try to avoid using the sticky back canvas as overtime; it could damage your sampler.

*When pressing embroidery or needlework, use a pressing cloth or press from the back so as not to damage the stitches.

*When using red embroidery thread, DMC is the only true colorfast in red, meaning it will not run or smear if it gets wet.

*Your sampler is a work of art and a work of your heart…treasure it, create more and explore new embroidery!!!

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