Vote!

Download free pattern

Hi all - here's another friendly PSA to get out there and vote - for many states, TODAY is the last day to register to vote, if you're not registered already. There are plenty of sites to check your registration status, and if you're undecided (or decided), I urge you to read all you can about your candidates and make the best, most informed decision you can make.

NEVER DOUBT that your vote matters. NEVER DOUBT that it is your responsibility to vote, as a citizen of this country. NEVER ALLOW anyone to convince you your vote doesn't matter, that the odds are against you, that it's not worth the bother. NEVER TRUST any group that seeks to silence the votes of any citizen.

Ugh, sorry for the caps, it's just become so much clearer to me, just 2 years after I created that cute little Vote pattern, just how important it is to vote. We have a stake in our country, we have a stake in our future, but we will lose it if we stay home and don't exercise our right. Our democracy is fragile, and it takes work - our work.

Ladies and gentlemen, please - let's get to it and vote!

Vote 2016

I'm loving the colors and stitches Michelle used on her version of the free Vote pattern! You can still get the free Vote pattern here - if you've stitched it up, we'd love to see it! Tag us on Instagram or send us a pic!

Here are a few inspiring photos for today's very historical vote in the US, as a reminder that voting is a right and privilege we have not always enjoyed...

This wonderful post on Selvedge talks about Prison Embroidery by Suffragettes, 1905 – 1914.

A medal from the Birmingham Museum's collection, commemorating British Suffragette Nellie Hall’s hunger strike, 1913.

This post on The Women's Rights Movement in the US provides a nice history, and some background on that photo above.

Embed from Getty Images

I love this one. :)

Embed from Getty Images

I know we're not all ladies reading this blog, but if you're out there voting today, we're all with you! :)

Free "Vote" pattern - the winning design!

Well, it was a close race, but the readers have spoken and the winning design was this one - Design #3! I really had fun stitching this up, starting bright and early this morning.

As you can see, I am already done, so I can attest to what a quick stitch this pattern is!

Download on Flickr
Download on Google Drive

Here are all the colors I used - all DMC embroidery floss this time:

I hope you let your interpretation be as free as you like, and most of all, if you are in the US, I really hope you vote! This election season has been anything but pleasant, but our right to vote is something we haven't always had - it was a long, hard fight to get it, and I hope you continue that fight by voting.

Thanks to everyone who voted in our "election", and for all the feedback we've gotten on how you've found us. I hope you enjoy this free pattern!

Update at the Polls!

I thought I'd do a little update for all of you before our voting closes tomorrow evening. Here are the results of our voting so far!

	Design 1	Design 2	Design 3
Instagram	50	49	50
Facebook	5	3	8
Twitter	2	1	1
Blog	2	5	5
Total Votes	59	58	64

With 64 votes so far, it looks like Design #3 is in the lead! Voting will continue through 9 PM US CST tomorrow - if you'd like to vote here, visit the post and leave a comment with your favorite design.

Remember, I'll stitch up the winning design and make it available as a free pattern on Saturday, so be sure to vote for your favorite! :)

Vote for a free "Vote" pattern!

Hi guys! As everyone in the U.S. heads to the polls this week and next, I thought I'd do a fun "Vote." :) I've drawn up 3 different designs - ok, so maybe only the lettering is different in each, but it's really hard for me to choose a font!

I'm collecting votes on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and here. Choose the "Vote" design you like the most, by casting your vote in the comment section.

I'll stitch up the winning design and offer the free pattern as a PDF here on the blog. Sound fun? Let's vote!

And your candidates are.....

Design #1:

Design #2

Design #3

Cast your vote in our comments by 9 PM US CST, October 28, 2016. This "vote" is open to everyone, including our overseas voters!

Cast Your Vote!

Last week you saw all of the finalists banners in action and learned about each of them (thank you Jessie, for interviewing everyone!) Now it's time to cast your vote in our sidebar - you have one week to vote! The winner and finalists will receive some wonderful prizes.

Thank you to everyone who contributed designs to our competition, and even if your design was not chosen - please leave it in the pool! I have a surprise related to that which I'll reveal soon... :)

Here's one last look at the 5 finalists chosen by Jenny Hart (and their interviews):

Flossbox - Emily (interview)


PlanetCoco - Kirsty (interview)



Shebrews - Eydie (interview)


Maraland - Mara (interview)


Early Bird Special - Amy (interview)

Good luck to all of our finalists!