Under a Blue Moon

Decor, cooking, organization, all the pretty things

500 and some truths about hand work

Picture 356a 

I was really hoping the title of this post would be '500 and YAY!  I finished something…." 

So this is my 500th post.  Good lord, what have I been blathering on about? 

I have spent the weekend polishing silver (more on that in another post) and working on my table runner.  Which I bought last January and promptly stuffed into my craft closet. 

Picture 359a

What stalled me was that teeny bit of green felt that is winding its way around the perimeter of the white piece of felt.  Sewing that on has been t…..e……d……i……o……u…….s to say the least.  While I was working on it I came up with a list of truths about hand work:

  1. If you are working with white fabric you will prick your finger, hard, a minimum of 137 times

  2. You will run out of thread or embroidery floss when you reach that final 1/2" of stitching and will have to re-thread your needle.

  3. The whip stitch does not go quite as quickly as the name would imply.

  4. You will do 56 French knots and then promptly, and quite totally, forget how to do them.  The skill will vanish.  It's remarkable, really.

  5. One of the million itty bitty pieces you have painstakingly cut out and meticulously pinned exactly where it needs to go will vanish.  Coincidently said piece will be the exact color of your carpeting.

Picture 357a 

I actually adore handwork.  But you do have to know what you are up against.

I don't have much more to do except affix 16 more blossoms with French knots and then blanket stitch the white top piece to the green bottom piece (patiently waiting on the kitchen counter).

Here is the pattern if anyone is interested.  I took some liberties with the color scheme.

And I'm hoping that I finish it before I have 500 more posts.

Andrea Filed Under: Crafts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen says

    Congratulations on your 5ooth post! I really enjoy your blog.

    Your list seems absolutely correct. And the table runner is going to be beautiful once you re-learn those pesky French knots.

  2. Mary says

    Congrats on the 500th post! I love that table runner! I like all types of handwork. I have really enjoyed your blog since I found it. Have a creative 209!!!

  5. pam says

    Congrats on making it to 500 posts! Good luck with the rest of that stitchery? Why not do it by machine one might ask.

  6. Jill says

    That is really pretty! And I concur with the pricking-your-finger-while-embroidering-white-fabric.

    Congratulations on your 500th post! wow!

  7. Patricia Eaton says

    Gee, wish I was near you….would love to help you to love doing French Knots…..and all that tedious stuff. And, sweet girl, love seeing you use the pincushion!!! Carry on…….Pat

  9. Chris@catsonmyquilts says

    500 posts is impressive-congratulations. I love that runner and colors are really great. Makes me think of spring which won’t be here in NH until about May. We had another 8 inches of snow today. We get 8-10 inches every few days. Just another day in paradise.

  12. Jan says

    Congrats on #500. I have a long way to go with my blog, but it’s getting better since retirement.
    I was falling off my chair laughing so hard. You pegged hand embroidery to the “T” and especially #4. How in the world that happens I suppose is like the dryer eating ONE sock or the purse hiding keys.
    Great Work,
    Jan