I've finished the crewel embroidery on the decorative pillow from a kit called "Bird Quartet". I had a difficult time following some of the color symbols and stitching in the smaller areas of the birds where there were a lot of color changes and outlining and almost set it all aside unfinished. I took a short pause from this embroidery to do some big stitch hand quilting and to do some embroidery on an easier project - "An Old Irish Blessing" and then picked this project up again with renewed interest mainly because it was still taking up space in my hand sewing basket.
Piping and zipper were included in the kit as well as pillow backing fabric. Now I just have to make a 16 inch pillow form with some muslin and small cut up batting pieces. Then I will put together the pillow cover. I don't really need a decorative pillow so when finished it will go into the gift box of items to give away.
At the end of 2025 I dug into a bin of items I picked up from thrift stores over a number of years before I retired over 8 years ago. In November and December I worked on a lot of little cross stitch ornaments.
In January I pulled out this crewel embroidery pillow kit that had never even been opened to work on. You can still see the 95 cent price I paid for it at the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) thrift store. Actually, I probably paid less because I usually went on senior discount day for a 10% discount.
I have already started stitching on another kit from that bin of thrift store goodies!
And sew on...
11 comments:
Bravo for finishing this complicate embroidery project. I looked at the birds and I can understand the pain you had to stitch through. Those birds sure have a lot of different threads to their rainbow. It will make a wonderful gift though. Hope the next project is easier. Enjoy! ;^)
ABsolutely gorgeous! Beautiful stitching!
Beautiful! What a wonderful treat to have the bin you filled with handwork many years ago.
Cheers to quiet stitching time. I haven't done needlework in years and I'm sure I have a LOT of cross-stitch projects started and all stored in the bottom drawer of my 4 drawer filing cabinet. Perhaps I should join you?
Great stitching! My favorite is the blue jay. I enjoy your blog everyday.
Beautiful stitching Cathy! You will bless the gift recipient this goes to. I’m continuing to pray that the doctors can help your precious hubby ❤️ - Beth in AL
Those birds are so beautiful and vibrant. Lovely work.
Awww. Thank you so much for finishing your bird embroidery and sharing it! My Daddy (yes, I still call him Daddy at 64) loved crafting with birds. I've been missing him so much, especially this weekend. Your precious birds brought a bittersweet smile to my face and a hug to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing. I guess we never know how deeply our stitches and blog will touch another person's heart. Hugs to you.
Those are some beautifully embroidered birds, Cathy! They do look challenging with all the colors, but you did it. These will make a fun pillow!
This is such a pretty project!
Your embroidered birds are beautiful, I'm so pleased you didnt give up on them. Well done for taking a break and then taking this embroidery to the finish line.
Those are absolutely beautiful! Crewel embroidery is something I've always wanted to learn,you have done a beautiful job!
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