I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Monday, November 5, 2012

I have a vintage umbrella embroidery design for you to try.............

Remember those beautiful designs with baskets and umbrellas overflowing with bouquets of blossoms??
I have been wanting to embroider this design for some time now............

I wanted the bouquet to be a mix of all different pastel colors.
Just last week, a dear friend, sent me a gigantic box of embroidery floss that she came upon........
filled with the most beautiful colors.

I love the way soft blue satin ribbon looks and decided that is how I would embroider the ribbon on the umbrella handle.
Also in the box, there were brands of embroidery floss I have never tried. I usually always prefer DMC floss, which was also in the box. However, there was a large amount of  J&P Coats and Anchor floss. Are you familiar with those brands??
 

The colors are just as bright and cheery as DMC. So now I love all three brands.
I wanted the rim of the umbrellas to stand out, so I embroidered in in rows of chain stitch.
I decided to just fill in the umbrellas handle with slanted lines of embroidery floss.

Instead of satin stitching or using french knots for the spots on the umbrella, I decided to work eyelets instead. Now the umbrellas is full of holes.........perfect to grow bouquets in ......don't you think??
 

Here is the design and I am hoping that if you click onto the photo, you might be able to copy it off for yourself to try.
Enjoy stitching!
How about you?
Do you have a certain brand of embroidery floss that you use over the others?
Do you like to embroider in pastel colors or bright colors when it comes to flowers?
I would love to hear!
 

20 comments:

Cindy said...

This is a very pretty design. Thank you for offering it. I have heard of the other two brands and have used them, though it was years ago. Maybe they are not being made anymore?

janice15 said...

I love this wonderful design...your J P coats is a old brand. I don't think they make if any longer...I can't wait to do this...have a grand afternoon with love Janice

lil red hen said...

DMC is the thread available to me locally. I have an old sewing box with thread, probably from the 40s and 50s when it only cost 5 cents. The brands were Coats and Clark and Star six strand; there's also a 1/2 cent postage stamp inside. The colors are still bright.

Your work is always so beautiful! And I love the flowers stitched in pastels.

Karen said...

Thanks, Kathleen, for the pattern. Your umbrella is very pretty! I have used the threads that you mentioned, I'm sure Anchor is still being made, not sure about the other one. I love trying new threads, don't you?

Elizabeth said...

This is absolutely adorable!

Nicola said...

Your work is always delightful, i love the colours you have used.

Anonymous said...

Isn't that perfectly PRECIOUS!! Oh, it makes me feel alive all over. I love the colors and the design! Thank you for sharing the design. I would love this on something someday...col...always someday with me.

Have a wonderful day,
Marianne xox

Patty H. said...

How lovely!

Celestina Marie said...

This is beautiful and your work is perfect. Love the colors. Thank you for sharing the design too.
Have a great week.
hugs, CM

Preeti said...

Very beautiful embroidery! :) I use Anchor floss. They are the most popular and best ones in India. I like bright colors in embroidery but sometimes pastel too. But it all depends on the need of the design and your surroundings. I cannot embroider an Indian princess in pastel colors and I cannot imagine an English princess in bright colors :)

letslearnembroidery said...

You had made a simple but beautiful work out of this wonderful pattern.I really like the eyelets, it's a great idea!When it comes to embroidery floss, I don't have many choices in my small town.Ijust make the best out of whatever embroidery materials around.

Anonymous said...

Kathleen, I just wanted to tell you that one of the first things I thought of today when I woke up was your sweet umbrella embroidery. A big smile came over me as I laid in bed with the remembrance of it. Thank you for giving me that smile. You are a blessing in the world for adding more beauty to it.

Marianne xo

Bev said...

So pretty...wish I was good at it:((

A Colorful World said...

It's really beautiful! I always love your designs so much! I am embroidering a panel now (check it out on my piece-fulness blog) and enjoying it so much. I want to do a rooster soon. Your umbrella with flowers reminds me so much of my childhood! I'm glad you posted the design.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Anchor and DMC are popular here. My preference is DMC; I find the J&P to be a bit stiffer than the other two. Always love seeing your gorgeous embroidery work. Have a great weekend. Tammy

Jocelyn said...

I have always liked Anchor, but I can't get it here. DMC is really nice, too, though. That's what we can get here (when it's in stock).

Your umbrella is beautiful, by the way. I like your colors.

Celestina Marie said...

Stopping by to say hello. Hope you are enjoying a nice weekend. It is so windy here and warm. Rain is on the way they say.
Love seeing your pretty umbrella design once again. Makes me want to stitch this afternoon. Your header is so inspiring too.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

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