Some free and easy stitching

 acquired this last week, which has been a lovely diversion from all the sick people around me. Colds and flu and it's only October whatever will the winter bring !! (I have a terrible book habit.)

I've loved Poppy's work for a long time, you can see some of her bags, coffee cosies, egg cosies and cushions here. (She makes tea and coffee cosies for Claridges Hotel you know!)

I'm completely guilty of dragging protesting children into shops to admire her bags. Now they're older they more often stand outside and wait, pulling faces of desperation at me through the window! I just love that 'folky' charming style she has, that looks so simple and yet you just know that it isn't. I love the way she signs her work too. as any artist would. A stroke of genius!

The book is about the stitching techniques (by sewing machine)... feed dogs down, darning foot or no darning foot (depends on how brave you are) and off you go. She talks about suitable fabrics to use, those which help create more texture in your work, the role played by the frayed edges of the applique in the 'look' of final project.

Poppy also talks bout threads and mixing bobbin colours and top thread colours to achieve yet more effects as you stitch in this free and easy way. There's loads of information about finishing off your work, layering fabrics, stitching, drawing and shading plus some projects to try. I think it's one of those books that reveals more secrets as you begin to experiment and understand a little more of what she's saying and why it's important.

There are a few stitching projects in the book; a greetings card, book cover, wall tidy, egg cosies bag, clutch type purse, apron and headband, picnic blanket, doorstop, coffee pot cosy, cushion covers and curtains. All made completely stylish and charming with the stitching.

As the 'girls' are very busy laying eggs I thought I would start with an egg cosy....

The patterns are included at the back of the book but they're the kind you either photocopy and enlarge (sometimes) or trace in some way. Templates for the applique motifs are included too.

I followed the egg cosy pattern almost slavishly, but I think if you really want to develop a skill at something 'copying' a master isn't a bad place to begin. Artists do that don't they when they study the 'greats', copy in order to understand.

O.K. back to reality and my little egg cosy. I hooped up the fabric in my tiniest hoop.

My sewing machine paniced and demanded oil before it would allow me to go any further. But once that was done, I lowered the feed dogs, added the darning foot and sewed in black and pink... felt like a bit of a rebel...

My finished egg cosy. Simple but charming...

Pink background fabric with a little polka dot heart in a cranberry red- a sugary sweet colour combination and I used a red 'stripy' fabric for the loop and the lining.

My big complaint is that the scribbly freestyle stitching was over too quickly. So, I'm going to attempt a 'free and easy' stitched cushion cover next with a few more motifs or maybe a tea cosy.

Comments

[Topcat]

SO pleased Poppy Treffrey has written a book about her techniques - don't know how I've missed this one - I may well have been stood next to you Julia admiring the wares of Treffrey whilst my children were also outside hopping from foot to foot, pulling faces or inside and pulling at me to hurry up.
Thanks so much for reviewing it in your blog and bringing it to our attention.
This is SO going on my Christmas list.

[Stephanie]

I love your little egg cosy and the book! I think I might need to buy it now lol

[Jenny]

Hi - my name is Jenny and, having looked at Gone to Earth and the blog as usual, was thrilled to stumble across this blog entry - I'm the Aquisitions Editor of Free Easy Stitch Style! I love Poppy's work too and knew other stitchers wanted to try out her look, so I toddled down to Penzance to visit the lovely Poppy at her studio and discover just what her 'magic' involves. Then we planned a book that would show stitchers of any ability how they could freestyle too, including shots of Poppy at work and of her inspiring workspace. I'm a huge fan of Gone to Earth and spend WAY too much of my salary on Julia's fab selection of fabric and other bits and pieces (my passion is making bags) so was equally surprised and delighted to see that Julia is a fan of one of MY products! If you win the giveaway above, this book would be the perfect way to use all those odd-bods of fabric. Thanks Julia - your taste is impeccable as always! Love Jenny xxx
www.davidandcharles.co.uk
www.rucraft.co.uk

[Jenny]

ps love the egg cosy Julia - I hope the girls appreciate it. You could make one for each of them with a different motif and their name stitched below it! Jen x

[Philippa]

How pretty!

Thank you for finding my little blog, I've just taken a quick look at your shop and I'm in love! I'm thrilled ! I struggle to find wonderful fabric in the UK and have spent (rather too much, my husband would say) importing lovely stuff from the US, but now I have found you. Brilliant! I can see some lovely purchases of Heather Baliey goodies in my near future.

Do pop by my blog again, it is always nice to get visitors.

[Kaye Prince]

Very cool! That book definitely looks like something I'd like, especially since I just (last night) got a fairly new Janome and am excited to start using it.

[Amy Lane]

What a gorgeous book! I have a book habit too!! Love your egg cosy, so pretty :)