Well, a week later and the stitching was DONE! Happy dance time!!!
But I wanted to challenge myself this time... I mean, Fox is one of three William Morris needlepoints, and the other two have been hidden away, stitched but incomplete, in the basement for years. Here they are, all laid out for the first time ever:
It would have been waaaay too easy to just roll them all up... but thanks to this stitch-a-long, I had a "deadline"!
I went out to find backing fabric, trim, zippers, and thread ... boy, fancy fringe trim is expensive. As expensive as the backing fabric I found, and of course I needed much more.
And in a frenzy of zipper setting, trimming, and sewing ... I finished making up the cushions! More happy dancing!!!
Before you ask, no, these won't be outdoor cushions.... but I couldn't resist photographing them outside in the sunshine on the patio. Here are the pillows in the order I stitched them. Here's Raven:
Hare:
And our good friend Mr. Fox:
I am SO HAPPY with how they turned out, and thrilled to see them on my aubergine-colored couch.
Now, I know what you're thinking. What's next?
While poking around my local thrift shop I found a nice cross-stitch kit that I think my Mom will like. It's much less involved than the needlepoint I've been doing, so feels like a good summer project. The previous owner had done a little work, but it appears that all the thread is there and it has even been sorted. So I look forward to doing this project for the next little while.
Thanks everyone for all the support and encouragement on this project!
Now, there are others on this stitch-a-long who will be doing their own happy dances -- click on over to their blogs an you will be amazed at how talented my fellow stitchers are!
Our next check-in is in three more weeks!
Oh my goodness these look great and reminded me that I have the same - but incomplete tapestries that I started about 25 years ago - still languishing somewhere in the back of my wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was trying to remember when I bought the Raven kit ... it may have been as long as 20 years ago. It's so satisfying to have finally completed both the stitching AND making them up into cushions!
DeleteI'm so glad you decided to bring these out into the sunshine instead of leaving them to languish in the dark basement. The new piece is very elegant and beautiful too, something to look forward to seeing grow.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate! I have moved them into their new home in the living room and every time I walk in I think, "WOW, look at those cushions!" It's almost surreal to finally see them all together!
DeleteOh my!!! what an absolutely gorgeous trio of William Morris cushions you now have to adorn your home. I am so glad the SAL helped you get that last one finished!
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire! I'm so thrilled every time I see them. :)
DeleteI love your throws! This is what I eventually want to do with three cross stitch designs. So nice to see there is a final, spectacular finish to the whole ensemble. These will look great anywhere you put them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tony!
DeleteThis is triple the excitement, Sunny! That's a magnificent finish--three gorgeous cushions!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy! I know exactly how you feel about seeing your completed hardanger and smiling every time.
DeleteCongratulations on the multiple finishes! Mr Fox looks great. And I’m glad someone actually makes their finished pieces into their intended use, mine too often just end up in the cupboard! You’ve finished them so well and in real William Morris style.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I cannot tell you how many finished stitcheries lurk in my basement -- or how many never-begun kits! But it's really satisfying -- I feel as if I've really accomplished something!
DeleteCongrats to the finishing!!! And to the finishing of all three pillows! They are looking so good together!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! They still make me smile every day.
DeleteCongrats on your happy dances! Your pillows look amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour next project looks like a fun one.
Thank you!
DeleteWow now that really is worth Happy Dancing for. They look stunning and I don't think I would dare put them in the garden - many congratulations.x
ReplyDeleteThank you! And don't worry, the cushions have been safely indoors since about 2 minutes after taking those photos. Of course, my cats have yet to discover them...
DeleteWow! I love these -- I really need to dig out some of my UFOs to work on this summer. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I keep trying not to buy anything new to work on, but ...
DeleteWow, they look stunning, I love the designs. Congratulations on a triple finish :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Morris is one of my all-time favorite designers, so it's a treat to really dig in to his designs.
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