For our second Kickoff to Summer project I’m sharing one of my favorite embroidery patterns. One of the things I love about this pattern is that it’s so very simple. So simple, that if you need a quick but impressive gift, or reunion auction item, or patriotic touch for your patio you can whip it up pretty quickly. It’s even so simple that it’s a great beginner project for kids! You can easily change “liberty” at the bottom to adapt the design for other occasions – “lullaby” for a nursery, “Noel” or “Silent Night” for Christmas, etc.
Of course, we’re still participating in the Kickoff To Summer event, so don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for a list of other great Memorial Day projects and recipes – and another really fantastic giveaway!
This versatile design can be transferred to any project you like, but for the cushion shown above I traced the pattern in pencil onto a piece of white muslin. If it’s difficult to see the pattern through the cloth try holding both layers up to a window and let the sunshine and glass act as a light box. For this design you will need two colors of embroidery floss and a small button to dot the “i”. You will also need an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taught as you stitch, and an embroidery needle, which has a larger eye to accommodate the thickness of the embroidery floss.
The design was done using a basic backstitch and cotton embroidery thread. If you’re unfamiliar with embroidery, DMC has an easy to follow stitch guide.
To finish these cushions I sewed two inch strips around the edges of the finished design in a log cabin pattern. I added a coordinating piece of fabric to the back trimmed to the same size as the front. I stitched right sides together with a 1/4 inch seam, leaving a small opening for turning and stuffing. I then turned the cushion right-side out and stuffed with pillow fill. Finally, I used a blind stitch to close the opening. All that’s left after that is to fluff and enjoy!
To download the pattern click on the image below and then save the full size image to your hard drive and print.
Now for the Kick Off to Summer Week Event!
Welcome to Day #3 of Kick Off to Summer Week, a multi-blogger event co-host by Lauren of From Gate to Plate and Summer of Summer Scraps. With summer quickly approaching and Memorial Day in a few weeks, we wanted to make sure you had plenty of ideas for your Memorial Day activities. Each day we will be serving up a variety of different appetizers, main dishes, desserts, decor, printables and more all centered around the up-coming Memorial Day. We hope you enjoy all of these wonderful ideas. Tune in each day starting with Monday, May 12 and ending on Saturday, May 17. We have great prizes up for grabs throughout the week so you will not want to miss out on any of the days! Follow #KickOffToSummerWeek2014 on Twitter to keep up to date with all of our spectacular ideas and giveaways!
Participant List
Still wanting more?! Check out the rest of the #KickOffToSummer2014 awesomeness below!
Lemon Honey & Rosemary Grilled Chicken Skewers by From Gate to Plate
Sausage & Veggies Tinfoil Dinner by Summer Scraps
Baked Rosemary Garlic Fries by Keep it Simple, Sweetie
Homemade Natural Bug Spray by The Haas Machine
Memorial Day Festivities by Lil Huckleberries
Corn Cob Jelly by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Marshmallow Fruit Dip by Forty Eighteen
Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies by Lady Behind the Curtain
BBQ Invitation Printable by My Daylights
Rhubarb Crisp by Love in the Kitchen
Mixed Berry Sweet Rolls by Like Mother, Like Daughter
Liberty Embroidery Pattern by Bits of Ivory
Red White and Blue Trifle by We Like to Learn as We Go
Chickpea Tabouli by Food Lust People Love
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Cookies by Life on Food
Our sponsor for today is Gourmet Garden Herbs & Spices. If you enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients you will just love Gourmet Garden! Gourmet Garden herbs are organically grown then simply washed, chopped, blended and packed into tubes to maintain the herbs freshness and nutrition. With Gourmet Garden you will be able to keep fresh herbs in your fridge for months with no waste. They have a variety of herbs such as Garlic, Basil, Cilantro, Chili Pepper and much more! You can find Gourmet Garden in the fresh produce section of your supermarket. Be sure to keep up-to-date with Gourmet Garden Herbs & Spices on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Gourmet Garden has so graciously offered up a cooler full of herbs and spices perfect for you next cooking and baking experience. Your cooler will include 4 ounce bottles of:
Garlic
Basil
Chili Pepper
Dill
Oregano
Cilantro
Ginger
Italian Herbs
Parsley
Lemon Grass
Disclaimer
**Giveaway runs May 14 until May 21, 2014 at midnight EST. Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Winner must be 18 years of age or older. No cash value available**
**Disclaimer: This giveaway is being sponsored by Gourmet Garden. #KickOffToSummerWeek2014 bloggers have not received product or been compensated as part of this giveaway!**
