Hi everyone,
It’s time for an update on my Kokeshi Friends cross stitch by Joan Elliott. I’m very pleased to show you that it’s finished. Hurray!
This design has been a pleasure to stitch. The colours are so cheerful and it was easy to choose manageable chunks to stitch every three weeks for the SAL. My friend Lin very kindly gave me her thread stash and I only needed to find a couple of colours from my own supplies. I also had the even weave fabric in my drawer. So, not only has this been a joy to stitch, it has also been very economical too.
The opening edges of the kimonos were to be stitched in metallic thread but I tried and gave up on that idea very quickly. I replaced the metallic with another colour already used on the kimonos and I think it looks fine. I also changed the butterflies and stitched a back stitch line down the length of their bodies. I ummed and aahed about doing that, but they looked like flowers to me, so I had to change them. I also decided against the French knots which indicate the flight path of each butterfly in the original design. I don’t enjoy sewing them and I’m not keen on how they look either (at least when I sew them) so they had to go. Now, I just need some ideas on how to finish this piece. The size of the stitched area is 5” x 12”. Will it be a cushion or something completely different? Do you have any suggestions?
Me and Claire have been stitching the same designs for a while. Next time we are going to do something different.
Please visit the rest of the group today to see how they are getting on with their projects. You may need to allow for time differences as we live all over the world. I know there’s at least one more finished project on display this time.
Claire, Gun, Carole, Wendy, LucyAnn, Kate, Cathy, Jess, Sue, Constanze
The next update will be on 22nd May. See you then!
Sewing Beside the Sea 
claire93
/ May 1, 2016isn’t it fun to share a happy dance? I reckon you ought to make a cushion,for yourself, but then I’m biased ^^
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 1, 2016Yes, it’ll be our last shared one for a while. Hurry up with your next project LOL.
rutigt
/ May 1, 2016They are so lovely!!! All the details and the lyrics below! Frame it and hang it on a wall where you can always see it. That´s my suggestion 🙂
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 1, 2016That would usually be my choice. It’s been a lot of fun 🙂
lucyannluna
/ May 1, 2016What colourful gathering they look fantastic. Another finish well done
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 1, 2016Thank you. All from leftover threads too 🙂
lucyannluna
/ May 1, 2016Even better if you didn’t have to buy more.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 1, 2016I’ve got plenty. My friend Lin is most generous YEY!
katechiconi
/ May 1, 2016It’s so, so pretty. Would it make the front of a quite large pouch to hold embroidery supplies, it’s the right sort of shape..? I love what Claire has done with hers, very imaginative!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 1, 2016Yes, a pouch would work well but I’m a terrible one for not using hand made things and just looking at them. I love Claire’s snazzy finish too 🙂
katechiconi
/ May 1, 2016Such a pity just to put it away in a drawer… G’wan now, make something with it!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 2, 2016Oh no, I always finish things and never put them in a drawer. It’s just that if I make a cushion, for example, someone might sit on it. I couldn’t have that LOL.
katechiconi
/ May 2, 2016Ahah! Got it! These little darlings deserve better than being squashed by a bottom!
Carole
/ May 1, 2016Congrats on a beautiful finish. They look so pretty and colourful.
If I was finishing them I’d probably find some fabric to frame them with and hang them on the wall. (more likely I’d put them in the drawer with the other finishes, but you’re more industrious than me 😉 )
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 1, 2016I like the wall hanging idea and it would be quick to do. How about putting it in the downstairs loo to cheer up anyone who happens to be sitting there? LOL
Jule
/ May 1, 2016The girls deserve a special place to be admired – cushion or wall 🙂
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 1, 2016Oh dear…I’ve just mentioned to Carole that I could hang them in the loo! Is that special enough I wonder…?
Jule
/ May 1, 2016Should do 😉
nanacathy2
/ May 1, 2016They are utterly charming. Well done you!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 2, 2016Thank you 🙂
notewords
/ May 1, 2016So beautiful!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 2, 2016Thank you 🙂
Magpie Sue
/ May 1, 2016Just darling! I love the sentiment along the bottom. I’d make a cushion out of it but that’s just my opinion. ;- )
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 2, 2016You know what? I almost left the sentiment off. It’s a good job we don’t all have the same tastes isn’t it.
Debbierose
/ May 3, 2016Such gorgeous colourful girls. Beautiful finish. Happy dancing to you Avis
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 6, 2016Thank you. I still haven’t decided on a finish unfortunately.
*Wisher*
/ May 12, 2016congrats on the finishing. this is sooo pretty and love this pattern. can’t wait to see what you ladies are up to next. 😉
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 20, 2016Something completely different for me 🙂
Ginny @ Mytimestitching .com
/ May 20, 2016Yay! Congrats on the finish! It is so adorable! So bright and cheery I can’t help but smile every time I see it. Great job. I think I need to add this one to my list 😉
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 20, 2016It’s a very happy design and very easy to stitch compared to the designs you usually do 🙂
Ginny @ Mytimestitching .com
/ May 23, 2016It’s beautiful.