When I started this project, I was sure it would take me until winter to finish it, but once I got started with a few stitches now and then, it went rather quickly. I chose to make a pair of embroidered pillowcases:
The pattern was very old and I was almost certain it wouldn't transfer two times, so I cut around it and took it to the copy machine for a pattern I could use to transfer to tracing paper.
To transfer, I used a light box (an old gadget used to view x-rays which the farmer acquired while teaching Physics; a case of his trash becoming my treasure). I slipped the pattern under tracing paper and marked the design with a transfer pencil.
The design was ready to be transferred to the pillowcases I had made. Now it was time to choose thread colors. I have a sweet little yellow rose whose petals are tinged with pink, and although a red or bright pink would have been a bolder color, I chose the yellow and by the time I had the first one finished, I knew something had to be done to make it more colorful. I had read about using crayons with embroidered designs so I got out my Crayolas and filled in the larger areas.
The upper pillowcase is without coloring as compared to the lower one with coloring. There are lots of good tutorials for this, but as is typical with me, I didn't look for them until after the fact. Most of the tutorials tell one to color first then embroider; I did the opposite, but I guess it will be o.k. The wax in the crayons is set, using a hot iron; but if the color fades it can be colored again. Years ago a crayon got in the dryer with a set of my sheets and there are still traces of it.
What do you think? Did I ruin the pillowcases by using crayons to fill in the design?
Charlotte
The pillowcases are beautiful - love this pattern. Lucky you to have a light box. So many times I have wished for one. (Your post is still not showing up on my blogger.)
ReplyDeleteI think they look very pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely like the one you colored! Very pretty! I have to tape things up on the window if I want to trace something, you are lucky to have the light box!
ReplyDeleteI like them both!
ReplyDeleteI think your pillow cases are wonderful. You do such beautiful needlework. I prefer the colored in ones. No, I don't think you ruined them in any way.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of using colors before to fill in. I love that idea.I may have to try it soon.
I like your light box. It's a wonderful way to utilize an old appliance.
Your pretty pillow cases addition to the hope chest will be a beautiful compliment to the bedroom.
Well done. :)
Beautiful set of hand embroidered pillowcases! I too like them both, no partiality :-). Your 'light table' is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI never seen this done and I love it. The colored cases are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, these are so pretty! I really like the colored in cases. I've never heard of doing this before, but I think it is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI love your header photo of the zinnias. They are so pretty. I also love your latest project. Your hand embroidered pillowcases are beautiful. Mother used to do a lot of embroidery. I sure wish I had that talent. You are such a gifted person.
ReplyDeleteThose are so beautiful. I've always wanted to learn how to embroider .. My grandma tried to teach me and I forgot what little I learned cause i didn't keep it up. Hope things have slowed down a bit for you.
ReplyDeleteI do prefer embroidered over coloring but hose are beautiful. I love seeing what you do for the Hope Chest! Nancy
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful
like all of your creations.
Do not quite understand about the coloring ?
In years past
I embroidered some pillow cases and have some my
mother did with crochet on the edge.
I find this so relaxing and need to do some this Winter.
Hope you're doing good and things have slowed down for you. Still alot going on here as well. Everyone is trying to get their hay up and we've had a beautiful, dry week for it. Hope you have a nice weekend. hugs, xo
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job Charlotte! Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is so, so pretty! I love them both! I remember when I was a lot younger, Mom used to use paint pens on embroidery patterns. Do you remember those paint pens? They came in tubes. I'm not sure if that is what they called them or not, but I guess it was an easy way to do them, if you didn't have the time or talent to embroidery.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty pillow cases. Wouldn't they be gorgeous on a dolls bed?? I remember doing that with crayons. On a recent visit to the fabric store. I bought some tea towel fabric and a sunbonnet sue transfer pattern. The pattern cost $7.49. I nearly fainted, I remember getting them at the Ben Franklin dime store for very little. I also purchased a small box of 15 Pentel Fabric Fun Dye Sticks. They look like crayons, but are supposed to be permanent and washable. They weren't much more than a box of crayons. You have inspired me to get with it! I think it will be a fun project, and coloring in the spaces make them look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI love your header photo. Your embroidered pillowcases are so pretty. I love both of them. You are such a talented person. My mother used to do embroidered pillowcases. You've done a wonderful job with these pillowcases.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte...I just love this idea! I've embroidered pillow cases before...but never heard about coloring them...and I LOVE to color! Guess I'll have to add this to my list...
ReplyDeleteYour pillowcases are so sweet...I can decide which I like better!
Hugs,
Laura