CROSS STITCH ON BLOUSE

It's been ages since I last did this and my eyes are definitely not doing a good job anymore....sad. I just had a new pair of glasses made and my longsightedness has increased from 200 to 225. However, I am glad I bought this crafter's magnifying glass from Spotlight-Singapore. It sure helps me to see the small squares of the fabric for such cross stitch work. It took me much longer than I expected....have to face the reality of aging...hehehe. Well, the result isn't as good as I would want it to be and I just have to learn to accept that as the best ability I can do from now for fine work like this.

So here it is...my new blouse.









This is the fabric which I bought many years ago. It is called waste canvas. I got it from Spotlight-Singapore. Just cut out the measurement slightly larger than your pattern requirement and attach it to your blouse/shirt where you want your cross stitch to be done. Just hand sew it on with wide stitches to hold it to your blouse while you cross stitch your pattern.



You can notice the yellowise coloring stain at close-up, which shows it has been kept away for ages :) It is still not a problem though as this waste canvas will be removed after your cross stitch is done. You just have to wet it and pull them out one by one.

I also iron on a piece of thin adhesive fabric to cover the back of the cross stitch I have done to protect it. Always place the right side on a soft towel and iron only on the wrong side. This will make the pattern stands out. You do the same for any embroidery work you may have on your blouses.

I forgot to take pics on the initial steps but I will show more details on the next project.




This is the magnifier for crafters like me.





The pic on the package shows how you wear it round your neck while working.

CROCHET FLOWERS AND HEARTS

I tried out some flowers for Sheerah's card making. At first, I tried out a few with wool but the flowers came out quite bulky and thick. Then I tried working with some cotton threads and I like them better. Sheerah likes them all.

They are so easy to make and can be done in a short time. I was able to crochet 2 pcs on the way to the airport (accompanying Sheerah-off to KL)

Below are some I made for Sheerah's card-buddy, Marlene...all done in few hrs. I wrote out  a few of the patterns for those of you who may be interested. 




Flower A:
Ch 6 to form ring; ch 1; (sc; ch 8;) to make 5 loops; slip stitch to 1st ch
Ch 1; (sc into loop; hdc; 6dc; hdc; sc; )repeat for all the loops; slip stitch to 1st ch


Flower B:
Magic loop; sc 10; slip st; Ch 1; (sc; ch 3; skip 1 stitch;) making 6 small spaces; slip st
Slip st to space; ch 5; treble dc 4; ch5; slip st; in same space; repeat for all the 3 ch space


Flower C:
Magic loop; ch 3; tr 3; ch 3; slip st to loop; repeat to make 5 petals. 
Close magic loop and tie both ends together.

I also tried out few heart patterns which I found online.


Heart A: (click on the heart to go to its origin)
Row 1: Ch 5 to make a ring; ch 3; dc 2; ch 2; (dc 3; ch 2) 3 times; slip stitich along the 3 dc;
Row 2: (Ch 3; dc 2; ch 2; dc 3;) in same 2 ch sp; 
ch 2; (dc 3; ch 2; dc 3;) in same 2 ch sp; repeat another 2 more; slip stitch along the 3 dc;
Row 3: ch 1; (double tr; ch 1) 7 times into next space; slip stitch into next sp: repeat another round; this will make the heart shapes.

Optional: sc all round to finish off.



Heart B: (click on the heart to go to its origin)

Magic loop

Ch 2; tr 3; dc 3; ch; tr; ch; dc 3; tr 3; ch 2; slip stitch to loop

Slip stitch to 1st ch; sc to 2nd ch; dc 2 to next 3 tr stitches; dc to next 3 dc stitches; dc to ch sp; tr 3 to tr stitch; dc to next 3 dc; dc 2 to next 3 tr; sc; slip stitch to last ch; tie


Sheerah was asking if I could make bigger ones. I tried these few with two kinds of rope.  The white ones are made from the same rope I used for the flowers I made for my bag earlier.  The darker ones are made from marina rope (not sure if it has another name) which I bought from Daiso when I was in PJ in June.










Pattern for the above flower:
Row 1: Magic Loop; ch 1; (sc; ch 2; repeat till you have 6(2ch) spaces; slip st to 1st ch.

Row 2: ch 1; sc into the (2ch) space; (ch 5; sc into next space;) repeat all round; slip st to 1st ch

Row 3: slip the ch loop to the back and sc into the back of 1st sc of Row 2; ch 3; sc into back of next sc (between the two 5ch-spaces); slip st

Row 4: ch 1; (hdc; dc 4; hdc;) into (3ch)space all round; slip st to 1st ch; tie


Enjoy your crocheting!

CROCHET FLOWERS

Sheerah gave me this canvas bag which she got in Jakarta. It is a nice plain color and it just makes me want to create something to make it look even better. So here is the outcome overnight.


Before.....


After....





The flower stem pattern:
Draw lightly with a pencil or use a fabric pencil (a better choice) and crochet a line of chain stitches along the line into the canvas. This may take quite an effort but worth it.

OR you can crochet a string of chain and hand sewn with a needle and thread to place the chain onto the line drawn.

After doing the stem, then attach the flowers and petals onto the bag using a needle and thread. I sew a bead to each flower to finish off.





Leaf Pattern:
ch 8; ch 1; sc to last ch; hdc 2 into next 2 ch; tr 2 into next ch; hdc 2 into next 2 ch; sc 3 into next ch.

Turn to work on the other side to form the leaf.

hdc 2 into next 2 ch; tr 2 into next ch; hdc 2 into next 2 ch; sc into next ch; slip stitch to 1st ch and tie.



Flower Pattern:
Do a magic loop and crochet...

ch1: (sc; ch 10); make 5 loops for petals; slip stitch to 1st ch.

ch 1; sc 3; hdc 2; dc 2; tr 3; dc 2; hdc 2; sc 3; make 5 of this petal and slip stitch to 1st ch; tie



The flower is made from a bundle of rope which I bought from a hardware store.

I have to unwind and roll the rope into 2 empty bottles before I can start my crocheting. I bought 2 sizes and I used the finer one to crochet the flower. The texture is stiff but I like the color and the effect it has...dry flower effect? Anyway, it suits my bag so well.



This is the thread I used for the leaves and stem. This color matches the flower very well. Sheerah got this from Daiso.

Well, I am very pleased with my creation :) Happy crocheting for those of you who like to try it out.


NOTE: Please do not sell the pattern, you may sell the finished product, giving credit and linking it to the pattern creator. Thank you.