Wonderful Wednesday #45: Threadfolk

What a gorgeous Beetles and Moths PDF embroidery pattern this is - a wonderful artist series collaboration between Threadfolk and Oh Baby Bird. The stitching on this piece, and the colors are just delicious. I am itching to get my hands on this pattern - if only one could also buy the time needed to complete all my projects as well!!! :)

Update: I loved this pattern so much, I did buy it, and started stitching right away - and I love how it turned out!

I chose a deep navy blue thread and a pale silvery, almost white thread for contrast. The teal fabric you might recognize from my Vote pattern. :) I like revisiting and re-purposing the same fabric in different ways. And, it's thrifty. :)

Actually having the pattern in hand I can speak to its beauty - there are plenty of detailed instructions on how to approach your embroidery. I used my go-to red Aunt Martha's transfer pencil (which I've sworn to use until it wears out) and plain tracing paper to transfer. The lines were very light, so I traced over them with a disappearing ink pen.

I had never used satin stitch in this way before, and it's not one of my favorite stitches. I was intimidated by how small the shapes were (and the beetle I chose is particularly small) but it stitched up very quickly and looked surprisingly neat. Beginners, do plan to rip it out a few times if it's not to your liking - but I was ok with imperfection on my part.

I emailed Libby asking for her advice on stitching the flowers - if you purchase the pattern, note that the white flowers are stitched first, and the satin stitch around them. I wasn't sure how it would work, but it actually came out great!

I used a straight stitch outline on the inside of the beetle's wings, because I wasn't totally confident of the line my satin stitch made. Overall, this was a quick stitch and so much fun. I can thoroughly recommend this pattern, and I'd love to break it into small pieces, so I can slowly appreciate each shape. Thanks, Libby, for your prompt reply to my question, and thank you for designing such an inspiring pattern!

Wonderful Wednesday #32: Threadfolk

How beautiful are the colors and textures in this gorgeous negative space embroidery pattern by Threadfolk on Etsy? This gorgeous design, designed by Lauren Merrick and stitched by Threadfolk is part of an artist series of patterns in her shop.

I feel like this is the perfect message for today, and describes exactly where I am. We are all dealing with a fair amount of negative space in our world, and this is the mantra I feel we need to come back to, again and again. We are continually dealing with people of all kinds, people with different views from our own - and when we interact with others, I feel very strongly that it is kindness that makes the difference. You may never be able to change another person's point of view, but when that person is part of your family, or part of your world, what can you do with them? I think, you can be kind to them.

I'm so glad our stitching community is so warm and welcoming and I hope that it will always stay that way. We may come from every point in the ideological spectrum, but we all find a comfort and source of inspiration in stitching and in each other. Living in community with each other is never easy. But even if it isn't easy, we can always be kind.