100 Days of Hand Embroidery
Posted on December 20, 2021 by prairiemoonquilts in EmbroideryBack on September 23, when there were still 100 days left in 2021, I began an embroidery project in which I intended to embroider one small motif a day for 100 days. At the time, I said I’d show you my progress, so today, I’m gonna show you the first half of my 100 Days of Hand Embroidery project!
To get started, here’s Day 1:
Each square is 2″, so the motifs are all fairly tiny. And simple.
Days 2-5:
This is basically just an experiment, so when one doesn’t turn out like I had hoped, it’s no big deal, and I’m not redoing anything.
Days 6-9:
Lots of the patterns came from my collection of vintage embroidery patterns, some embroidery pattern books I own, and a lot of them I drew myself. I also collected some small free ones from online (such as the Christmas ones I’m doing that aren’t shown here yet).
Days 10-15:
Days 16-24. I’m not happy with my corn or my tomato pincushion, but they are staying like they are! You can see the black dotted line to the right of the tea kettle — that’s what I’m doing as a gridded frame to separate all the motifs, so I will have that to finish up even after I’m done with them.
Days 25-40. The jack-o-lantern fell on October 31st. Yes, I planned that!
Days 41-48. I’m using up all sorts of odds and ends of scrap thread to do this, which was one of my goals. However, it’s not really making much of a dent in my scrap thread stash!
To complete 100 days of embroidery, I would not have to go clear to 100 motifs, since I added in this custom Christmas stocking project, and it counted for about 12 days of hand embroidery all by itself:
So technically, I could stop at #88 and be done, but I want to do all 100 motifs. So I may not get them all done by the end of the year, but I’m still planning to add in the last 12 so I have a full set of 100. It’s getting hard to come up with ideas now that I’m so close to finished (today is Day 89).
After that, I’ll show you what I plan to do with them. And I’m already super anxious to get started on another embroidery project, but I’m still mulling over what that will be. I’ve got a fun project in mind that could end up being a bit boring since there’s a lot of repetition, so I may get stalled on that one. And I’ve also got a super epic project in the planning stages, and I’d really like to do that one, which will also take a really long time.
If any of you are into hand embroidery, and would be interested in a stitch-along, that’s also a definite possibility, so let me know!
See . . . I have lots of ideas and choices, but not sure exactly what I’m going to do yet. First up is finishing this one! When I’m all done, I’ll be back to show you the rest of it!
kangaroo? hedge hog? submarine? Possible subjects…
Happy December 21st. I lured a quilt group friend over to end the year with us. Mary S….
So cute! I keep meaning to get back to embroidery but it’s out of sight and out of mind! I’m like you, I have a lot of embroidery floss to use up including a lot of odds and ends. Don’t forget a cow and hay bale! A hay hook might be a bit too much of a challenge.
I’m into embroidery!! I can’t believe you don’t have a goat, or a cat, or a horse!!!
I did alot of hand embroidery and counted cross stitch in my thirties and then just kinda stopped. IOver the years I would do some embroidery here and there. In 2021 I started hand embroidering again. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I have a group of very good friends and we all did a project together. We did an embroidery block of the month. We enjoyed it so much we are doing it again in 2022. I might be able to add a stitch along with you.
They are so cool Shelly! How about a pine tree or an acorn. Oooh a tractor!
Have a Merry Christmas to you all
xxx
So many cute little stitches! I love the Christmas stocking, too! Merry Christmas, Shelly, to you, the Cowboy, Ranger and the gang!
I would join you in an embroidery stitch along. 😁
Last year I did the Sanctuary stitch along with Susan Ache @yardgrl60 and @aurifil IG #sanctuarysal
I believe the little motifs are still available. Maybe they could give you some ideas?
You can see my finish on Instagram @7sistersquilting
Those little embroideries are so dang cute! I’ve been getting back into embroidery and a little cross-stitch this past year too. It’s very relaxing. I have plenty to finish up before I think about a new start….trying to use some discipline here😂😂😂
I am stitching an eye and two chicken feet on some Kaffe Fassett chickies. There are 25 total and I am about halfway done. I am no good at embroidery. Handwork is not my best thing. Remember when we used to sit in your office on lunch hour and stitch together. So sweet you were.
Your boot stocking is AMAZING!!!
Shelly that stocking is beautiful and I really enjoyed seeing your little stitcheries. Looking forward to seeing you finished plan for them. Merry Christmas to you, your Cowboy et Al.
The boot is amazing! Now I’m eager to hear what you have planned for those sweet designs. I’d love to join in on some sort of stitch-along. I haven’t embroidered in years, so it would be fun to try it again.
Hope you and your Cowboy have a wonderful Christmas!
I did two embroidery quilt square projects this year. One theme Noah’s Ark; the other is butterflies. Both are in that pile of “get them all quilted in 2021” goal. Thinking of changing that goal by one small digit. 2022 has a nice feel about it.
Merry Christmas to you and Cowboy and all the critters. May 2022 be the year our personal goals are reached, we find contentment following our dreams, and peace infiltrates our country.
Your tiny motifs are so sweet and you boot is beautiful. I always have an embroidery project underway. Sometimes I don’t work on it for a while; but, other times I do some stitching every day. I just like having handwork to do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I know I am late to this party, but what about goat, sewing machine, tractor?
Beautiful cowboy boot! Those embroidery motifs are all so cute!