Dahlia - new kit

I did finish the rest of the embroidery for the new design last week. 

It really was very, very quick to embroider and all I had left to do on the weekend was to put it all together...
(Sorry about the dark and somewhat grainy looking photo above - As you may have noticed, my work table is darkish timber and I didn't think to put light card under the fabric before photographing it! Note to self: Always, always, always put fabric on light coloured background - gosh, I really should know this by now!!)
As I was saying...

...all I had to do was put it all together. The pin cushion was easy, but the scissor sheath took a wee bit longer than expected. It is not difficult, just a fiddly and stitching the many layers together becomes quite tight towards the end. Despite wearing a thimble while neatening the edges, I managed to prick my finger. Why is it than when you prick your finger the blood stain always end up on the most notable part? (on the all light part above the embroidery).

 Spot successfully removed (photoshop or cleaned, I wonder...?).

I use knotted pearl stitch for the edges - it is a brilliant stitch for that purpose and it always surprises me just how well it tidies up seams and edges. Believe me the edges of the scissor sheath are not at all perfect underneath. The stitch is also knows as reverse Palestrina stitch and it is not at all as difficult to stitch as it may look. I have put the instructions for how to do it on a PDF here if you want to give it a go.

So here they are the Dahlia pin cushion and scissor sheath. I really love these pieces and I am still a little puzzled as to how they came to be via a Christmas stocking - but there you go. Stitching works in mysterious ways...

The instructions are as good as done, supplies are on order and I will have kits in the SHOP by the end of the week. 

Now about the shop: Since I have been severely slack and didn't get my act together to do a Christmas project for you, I have FREE SHIPPING during December instead. All you need is to enter the coupon code XMAS14 at the check out.

Enjoy your week.

Anna