Project a Month: Jenny Blair Kit finish

I've finished my lovely Jenny Blair Owl kit in record time! When I last left you, I was about to stitch the final full moon in padded satin stitch...

Here's how I began, scattering seed stitch across the moon. I then followed up with 2 strands of thread satin stitch, at times doubling up where the fabric peeked through.

Next I started on the owl details, once again using stem stitch for the top of the owl's wing...

Then I did satin stitch for the curved upper part of the wing - I loved the smooth texture...

Then more satin stitch in the opposite direction, on the lower parts of the wing.

Here's how it stood before adding the french knots... admittedly my satin stitch was a bit clumsy, I always struggle with satin stitch on perfectly circular shapes. I also thought the owl wing needed something more...

So I added a few metallic highlights on the bottom of the wing, like so...

And here it is, finished - all in all, it's a lovely kit, and I'm glad I was able to fit this into my end of year stitching! I love the texture effect of the stem stitch, I'll have to remember to revisit stem stitch often in the future.

I had plenty of thread left over when I was finished! The only thread that I almost used up was the metallic thread (seen in the lower part of the photo), so do be careful with that if you order this kit, there isn't enough to make mistakes. :) I used 3 strands throughout, except for satin stitch, where I used 2 strands. I used the needle Jenny provided in the kit for my stitching - it was thin and very sharp - I did poke myself a few times, so be careful of that as well!

This kit is just wonderful for the price - the materials and design are just beautiful, I'm so glad I stitched it, and highly recommend Jenny's Etsy store, Jenny Blair Kits. I hope you enjoyed my quick progress on this project as much as I did!

Previous Posts

First post: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-jenny-blair-owl-kit.html
Second post: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-jenny-blair-kit-progress.html

Project a Month: Jenny Blair Kit progress

My little Jenny Blair Owl Kit is coming along so well! This is indeed a quicker stitch than my last project, and I'm enjoying the increased pace.

As I mentioned last time, I'm stitching this a bit differently from the stitches Jenny specifies - I've used stem stitch on all the branches and leaves, and the "dark" parts of the moon phases...

I used satin stitch on the little owl face as Jenny suggests, and added a chain stitch border using 2 strands of thread.

I forgot to do padded satin stitch on the light portions of the moon phases, but I do plan to try padded satin stitch on the last full moon...

I really love the subtle gradations of blue in this kit...

I think these colors are looking just beautiful together - what do you think?

Can't wait to finish this soon! :)

Project a Month: Jenny Blair Owl Kit

I've had my eye on this Jenny Blair Owl Kit ever since I first saw it on Jenny's Instagram account - it is just lovely! I am quite behind on my monthly projects - this should have been October's - so I am hoping for a quick stitch on this one.

There are two versions of this kit, one with black fabric, and one with gray fabric (as above). After much deliberation, I chose the black, as it looked quite dramatic and unique compared to anything I'd done yet this year...

There is something so lovely about this design, isn't there? My reason for choosing this pattern was a wonderful, vivid memory of joy I had from last year, in October when I was on chemotherapy. It was a cold night, and I was having trouble sleeping - I heard a strange barking sound high up in a nearby tree - I stepped out into the cool night air to see the large, mysterious shape of an owl, hooting back at me! It was truly magical, and such a comforting moment of beauty in a difficult time, so I chose this pattern to remember that moment forever. :)

About the kit

This is a lovely, well-designed kit - the hoop is nice and sturdy, and the screen printed fabric is very nice to work with, as it is so difficult to do a good transfer on dark fabric. The included needle is small and very sharp - I'll be using it for my stitching!

The directions are very thorough - with suggestions for stitches to use in each area, and a nice, clear photo of the finished project. If you stitch the kit as Jenny suggests, you'll have a nice sampler of stitches done by the end.

As for myself, I am still on a stem stitching high after finishing my Gimena Romero class pattern, so I chose to do all the branches and leaves in stem stitch...

I love that the threads are already cut in perfect lengths for stitching, so you don't have to fuss with tangling skeins or winding them onto bobbins - this would be a good, small travel project for a plane.

Here is my stitching so far!

If you would like to stitch along (or get this wonderful kit for a friend), this is the Owl Kit by Jenny Blair. More progress soon!

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