Bunnies in Needlepoint

I have a great fondness for bunnies, not only at Easter but throughout the year.
This family of needlepoint bunnies is especially near and dear to my heart. 

My mother believed in decorating for every holiday, long before there were plentiful craft and hobby stores filled with seasonal decor.  She made her decorations, and they were made to be cherished and preserved through the years. 

 Mother needlepointed these bunnies almost 24 years ago.

When I suggested that she also make me some, she did what any good mother would do.

She gave me handpainted needlepoint canvases and told me to get busy!

The bunnies she selected for me are a little more whimsical.  I suppose they were to represent my family at that time.

Although, I no longer chase tennis balls around the club courts, I do still enjoy pretty pink drinks!

Mother and I were not the only family members to pass time with needle and canvas.  My mother-in-law was also an avid stitcher.

This is her childhood rocking chair.

And this is the sweet seat cushion that she needlepointed for it.

Both Mary and Dorothye have departed this earth, but they left their bunnies for us to treasure always.

Bunny Bishop

A bunny bishop for a special little miss!

Fabric is Honeydew Smoothie Microcheck by Nashville Cotton, available here.

Swiss edging by Capitol Imports trims the sleeves and hem.

http://www.somewhatsimple.blogspot.com/

I Spy Spring!

The sun is shining.

The flowers are blooming.

Spring is arriving!

Nothing says Spring like Mr. Robin Red Breast!  He and Mrs. Red Breast were also enjoying a few moments in the sun!

Bonnet with Frills Upon It, V

I saved the best for last!

This is my most favorite bonnet pattern.  It is the Little French Bonnet from the Old Fashioned Baby Bonnets pattern.  The pattern is available here and here.

While the back is easily adjusted with a ribbon casing, there is also a back seam which adds a little more shape to the bonnet.  The version in the pattern uses all lace to create the bonnet's fancy band.  To me, this is the perfect place to use a small piece of lovely Swiss embroidery.

I have also made this bonnet using a variety of fabrics.

A few of my favorites have been made with dotted swiss and silk dupioni.  Unfortunately, I am usually clipping the last thread, as I run to the baby shower or post office!  I apologize for the lack of those photographs, but just picture some of the most delectable little bonnets from the most scrumptious fabrics!

Both of the bonnets above are made with Swiss Nelona.

Another method of embellishing the ribbon streamers is shown on the first bonnet.  This ribbon manipulation  is done on the streamer itself.

Measure a piece of ribbon approximately 24" long.

I used 1" wide silk satin ribbon on my bonnet

With a single piece of knotted sewing thread, stitch a row of running stitches 1/8-1/4" from one end of your ribbon. 

Drop down approximately 1-1/2" inches and stitch another row of running stitches.

Drop down another 1-1/2" interval and stitch a third row of running stitches.

Drop down once more and stitch a fourth row of running stitches.

Remember, your thread should match your ribbon.  The orange thread is for photography purposes only!

Gently pull on your thread to gather the ribbon into three petal shaped loops.

Looks like I should have fluffed that little petal on the left a little more!

Take a few anchoring stitches and tie off your thread.

I used a little mother of pearl shank button to help anchor the streamer to the bonnet, and hide any gathering or tacking stitches.

If needed, trim the end of the streamer.  Most of my streamers are approximately 18" long, and cut at an angle to help prevent fraying.

Hoping to see lots of babies in beautiful bonnets this Easter Sunday -- and beyond!

It's Monday!

Evidently I was not the only one not quite ready to relinquish the weekend and start another work week.
Blogger is experiencing technical problems with uploading and displaying some photographs.
Stay tuned!  

Hopefully the post and photographs planned for today will materialize at some point!

Happy Monday!

Blessings on Palm Sunday

All glory, laud and honor,

to thee, Redeemer, King,

to whom the lips of children

made sweet hosannas ring.

Bonnet with Frills Upon It, IV

As promised, more bonnets!

This bonnet is so simple, but so sweet!  Construction incorporates the basics of heirloom sewing by machine:  joining lengths of lace and Swiss entredeux insertion with a tiny zig zag stitch.  A ruffle of wide Swiss edging, rolled and whipped to the fancy band, frames the baby's face.  A narrow piece of Swiss Nelona is rolled and whipped to the back.   It is then gathered with ribbon run through a narrow casing.

This little bonnet could not be more simple to construct!  It originally was a linen hand towel with a wide cutwork border.  Again, a narrow casing in the back shapes the bonnet.

This was the project in a class taught by Jeannie Baumeister at a past Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) Convention.

The streamers on both bonnets are embellished with silk satin ribbon rosettes -- one of my favorite embellishments!

I normally use ribbon that is approximately 1/2" wide.  Cut a piece of ribbon 9-1/2" long.

Make a mark 1/4" from the end, at the top of the ribbon.

Continue marking the length of the ribbon at 1" intervals.

At the bottom of the ribbon, make another series of marks.

These marks are also 1" apart; however, they are staggered halfway between each of the marks at the top.

Please note that these very large markings are for photography purposes only!  You have no idea how many heart palpitations I had marking this beautiful silk satin ribbon with huge blue blobs!  The blobs may also cause some of the measurements above to appear a little skewed.  Sorry! 

Your marks should be tiny -- just a speck. 

I often just eyeball the measurement, or finger press them into place.

Next, bring the raw ends together and stitch a tiny 1/4" seam.  This is why you placed that first mark at the 1/4" spot.

Again, contrasting orange thread used only for photography.  You will use sewing thread that matches your ribbon.  Some directions for ribbon rosettes instruct you to stitch the seam later in the process.  I have found it is easier to stitch before beginning to gather the rosette.

Use a single thread.  Be sure to knot at both the beginning and the end of the seam.

You don't want your beautiful rosette falling apart!

After stitching and clipping your thread, turn the ribbon circle right side out, and finger press the seam open.

Now, play Dot to Dot! 

Again, using a knotted single thread, connect the dots with running stitches.  Begin stitching at the seam you stitched in the last step.

I have not found that there is any magic to the number or length of stitches.  Normally, I get about 3-4 stitches on the 1/2" width ribbon.

Since the seam is already stitched and finger pressed open, my needle and thread do pierce the seam allowance.  I find that this helps to hold the beginning knot a little more securely.  The stitches also help hold that little seam allowance in place when you begin to form the actual rosette. 

After connecting several of the dots, pull the thread gently to gather the ribbon. You may find the ribbon gathers more easily and smoothly, if you hold your thumb over it while pulling the thread with your other hand.

Continue stitching and connecting the dots.

You should finish connecting the dots at the seam where you began.  Again, my needle and thread pierced the seam allowance on the back.

Gently pull the thread to gather the ribbon in a circle.

Next, take just a nip in the top of each petal.

You will simply be taking your needle and thread through the top of each little peak.

When you have gone all the way around, tug gently to pull the petals together and close the center.

Your rosette will also begin to flatten. You may have to smoosh it a little and help it along!

I usually take a couple of tiny stitches in the center, pulling everything together neatly.

Take the needle and thread to the back and tie off.

You may still need to smoosh or arrange the petals to your liking. 

Yes, I love the word "smoosh"! 

Some of the edges may cup up, and others under.  You are the creator of this rosette, and may determine which way you like best!  I prefer mine to cup under.

Look how beautiful it can be when stitched with matching thread and no blue blobs!

A tiny mother of pearl shank button in the center helps to hide any stitches.

I also use the button to help attach the rosette and the streamers to the bonnet.  A few extra tacking stitches will help to secure and position any stray little petals or gathers.

I hope you also enjoy making beautiful rosettes for sweet little bonnets!