A backing for the Robin (in progress!)

The Robin Completed
The Robin Completed

You may vaguely recall the little robin with stumpwork holly that I worked a couple of years ago. I mounted him on a circle of card and then didn’t make any more progress..

Starting Backing Panel
Starting Backing Panel

But I have now!

I’m using leftover fragments of silk from various Thistle Threads courses to do a rather tame crazy patchwork circle to cover the padding for the back, and then he can hang or be propped in a corner somewhere, looking cheery. I’ve settled on a simple quadrant arrangement, so I have four seams to deal with.

Seam Treatment 1
Seam Treatment 1

I said, when I found “Floral Feather Stitch” that I’d be using it again, and here it is, tweaked and embellished with a Fly stitch and a French Knot to emphasize the “floral” element. I really like this stitch – a simple, but extremely effective variation. Or maybe a stitcher’s “mash-up”!

Seam Treatment 2
Seam Treatment 2

The second uses Interlaced Herringbone Stitch, with the second pass interwoven with the first and then tied down with short straight stitches. This one is maybe a little monolithic, but the first one is so simple, I didn’t want to unbalance the appearance with anything broader.

Seam Treatment 3
Seam Treatment 3

The third is Chevron Stitch, embellished with alternating Fly Stitches and Detached Chain Stitches on the “top” edge. This one went a little ragged, but I still think it works.

Seam Treatment 4
Seam Treatment 4

The final one has alternating Half Buttonhole Wheels with Straight Stitches filling the gaps. Again, this could have been expanded and extended, but I thought there was quite enough for the purpose!

8 Comments

  1. Mam says:

    One can see you are a fully paid up member of the “what is unseen must be as beautiful as the seen part” Society! I applaud that of course. What wonders you do with such simple stitches.

  2. Jen says:

    Lucky Robin!

  3. Sue Jones says:

    I had completely forgotten the little robin. The crazy patchwork seams are great. I have recently finished edging a piece with half-buttonhole circles – counted and pulled ones in my case, like eyelets – and found them very restful to work. I am sure Robin will now be brightening your home for many Christmases to come.

  4. Lady Fi says:

    So pretty!

  5. Lin says:

    Very nice seam treatments. xx

  6. It is on the simplest seam where the crazy quilt embroidery will shine. Your robin will have a nice environment.

  7. Carolyn Foley says:

    There is no end to the variety of stitches you can use to decorate seams. And they are so satisfiying to stitch.

  8. Susan says:

    Lovely to see some seam treatments. =)