“Something Blue….”
As I end the year 2006, I had to go through my folders of “to finish” design 
collections and decide which collection I will work on to start the year 2007. Seems like the days just before New Year’s Eve are perfect for me to finish some loose ends as well as test samples and designs. I like the first collection of every year to be something that will mark the outlook of the year so when I pulled out the unfinished designs of “Something Blue” I really didn’t want to set up the feeling for the year, LOL…. I wanted the first collection of 2007 to be something simple yet versatile that it would work for all occasions, every color scheme and every age group. Not really an easy task but as I looked through the designs in the collection, tweaking this and eliminating an object there, I realised that this collection met every criteria that I had been wanting. The designs are all for the 4×4 hoop and they are fast and easy to stitch out with only two colors yet the motif used in the designs blends itself to every occasion throughout the year. The designs are simple and can be identified with every age group…..the perfect collection to start the year.
Any two tones of a color could be used to stitch out the designs or the first color could be omitted altogether if preferred. Mix pinks with reds and you have 
Valentine’s Day, mix yellows and greens…it is St. Patrick’s day…oranges and browns lend a perfect mix to the fall season, the choice is yours. My original plan of using just blues just spread itself far and wide to using any of the color schemes matching the individuals. Dark blue thread is generally a weaker dye and will shred and break when used too often. I’ve tried just about every brand and find this to be true.
The designs although a bit bold yet use the same motif throughout the collection. The motif itself is worked with a new method of creating texture
….plain fill underneath with an extreme light density and freehand drawn stitches on top to give dimension and texture. Ofcourse I couldn’t resist adding a bit of edgework designs which I believe just perk up every design in the collection. A bit of the heirloom effect but a twist of the modern day, my favorite thing to do. Hopefully the collection can be released after first weekend in January 2007.
Hi Sadia,
I love the 8 pointed doily! How did you figure out where to position each design to make them come together so perfectly? Did you use templates, or did you place them in a custom hoop in Embird and use placement marks?
Cheryl
Thank you Cheryl, I appreciate your comment. Actually I folded the fabric over and over and formed creases in the fabric which were then matched to one printed out templated. I always use basting stitches as my placement marks. The basting stitches are created in Embird at exactly the same size as the design. This stitches out first right on top of the stabilizer (before the fabric is laid down). The basting stitches then let me see where to place the fabric. The center doily is approximately 17″ diameter so there is no way for me to embroider it all out in one go…wish there was though, LOL. Thanks again, hugs, Sadia
Just beautiful Sadia. For some reason this type of design has a hold of me through the years…and it’s unintentional. In my teens (I’m 55), my grandmother gave me some unfinished napkins and a tablecloth my mother had started when she was still young and “GaGa” held onto them…although she wasn’t into handwork. It was blue embroidery. The design was stamped on the heavy cotton so it was simple for me to finish (several years later..grin)
In my 20′s a friend gave me a blue/white porcelain round pitcher that was her mother’s and didn’t care to keep it. I gladly took it…just because.
Then, my youngest son went to Russia on a mission trip when he was 13, now 21. Scariest decision of my life (well…one of many) letting my “baby” go overseas. But he was going with my “older-than-me” cousin who had been so I felt more ok with it. Well, he came back with a big blue/white porcelain vase, in tact from travel. He went to the market square and got something for everyone. He told me it looked pretty and something that I might like and remembered my pitcher and thought it would look good with it.
I wouldn’t trade these simple items for anything. Each has a special story with it. Now, I guess I should make some pretty blue/white embroidery items that are mine to add to my little collection and pass on to my children.
Sorry this was so long.
Arlinda, W.Palm Beach, FL
Arlinda, thank you so much for your kind words, I truly appreciate it. And thank you so much for sharing your color “blue” experiences. Those special items are indeed treasures and I completely understand your sentiments. That is one of my major goals in life…to leave a legacy of hand embroidery via machine for generations to come. By combining yesteryears artistry of stitches and embroideries onto items of modern day, I hope that our children and children’s children will keep the heirlooms going long after I am gone. I so much appreciate the heirlooms of our yesterdays and hope to achieve the same via machine embroidery for future generations. HUGS, Sadia
Thank you Sadia for making the entire Something Blue collection in the 4×4 size. Yippee!!!!!!!!
Susan
How do you purchase this. I have seen alot of stuff I really like but can’t seem to find where to purchase. Can you please help me.