CQJP 2023 Block #1 Finished

The scallops on the bottom were picked out with a thicker thread like size 8 in split stitch Then Simple stuffed rice stitches in a 4mm peach silk ribbon, topped by size 8 red round glass beads and size 11 or 15 green seed beads,     this adds a nice layered effect to your simple seam, I could have added a sequin under that for an even fancier seam but it might take away from the bird which is my focus here.

I used fly stitch in a wave pattern with some red DMC floss, I had just enough leftover from an other project to do that seam and some pretty green oval beads I found in my random bead soup tin. 

Everyone should have a jar or something with random leftover beads and things you'd be amazed what you can do with them!

The flower is done in 7" pink silk and the stem carrying the bird is a split stitch in a size 8  brown cotton floss

For the leaf I under the bird used a 7mm dk green silk ribbon to fill in the shape

 and a figure 8 crewel weaving technique to fill in the middle

The top seam is picked out in a blue leftover dmc in cretin stitch and yellow wildflowers variegated floss in lazy daisies, 

It gets beads in the spaces by the end.

The seam to the side of it gets an easy treatment of  layered ribbon and glass beads to hold it down.

This butterfly lace motif was died pink and given a few size 6 green round beads for a body and head

Now for my bird

She is satin stitched with mostly floss 3 strands for the pink belly and brown body and head I stitched over my tissue pattern pulling it out where it started to shred and leaving other parts in place.

As this piece will never be washed there is no fear of it disintegrating over time and poking through the stitching, if you stitch on a garment, or something that will be used a lot like a purse or a blanket, I suggest using a wash away underlayment or making sure you remove all the paper you can because it will poke out eventually

The tail is formed by using  fishbone closely stitched in a variegated thread using 3 strands.

This provides a nice variation to the tail feathers keeping them from blending into each other

The legs and feet are bullion stitch, use a nice long needle for these it will make your life so much easier!

Bullion secrets nobody told me; as you are winding thread on the needle make it close but not tight on the needle, 

make sure the needle has a big enough eye to get through all the fabric layers and your coils easily whilst dragging 2 strands through the entire length of your coil, 

also hold on to your coil as you pass the needle and thread through it so it doesn't separate and tangle

Sometimes pinching it between your thumb and the fabric can help, so can a pair of needle nose pliers!

I know that's a lot bUt bullion's bring so much to your work. I use them everywhere from stems to stamens to little bitty birdy legs. Go practice them if they intimidate you, I guarantee after making a hundred of them, they will become second nature!

a field of sheep made from french knots bullion's, drizzle stitch and cast off stitch, looks really cool and is a great practice piece.

And here she is with her size 8 and 15 glass bead eye

The Purple feather stitch ladder got size 11 beads and more of the size 8 and 15 combo and the stitching is done.

What do you think?

Not bad for the first block, now all that is left to do is mount it on cardboard and cover the back so it can be sewn together! If you want me to show and tell that part let me know and I will post that part in a  later blog.