A while ago, back in rainy February, I mentioned some plain linen tea towels I planned to embroider with line drawings of fruit, vegetables, cakes and jam.
I couldn't resist a little applique embellishment on the jam jars.
They proved to be the perfect craft project - small, achievable and quick to finish. They will go in my homemade present drawer.
I drew the outlines of the food I wanted onto paper, then traced over them with one of those haberdashery pens that fade under UV light, so I had an outline to sew over. I wasn't brave enough to draw freehand straight onto the fabric. They haven't photographed that well, I'm sorry, but trust me they feel lovely. So soft. And I was able to practice my chain stitch technique too. Just don't look too closely. I spilt tea on one of them - that one is for me!
What a lovely idea (and what beautiful hand embroidery!)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Thank you :-)
DeleteThese are SO lovely! I love the applique hats on the jam pots and that artichoke is fabulous. Much too nice to use to dry cups and plates on though!
ReplyDeleteI have to confess to having "good" tea towels that are draped over the oven handle and i get really cross with John if he dries up things like roasting tins with them...
DeleteOoh, clever! I LOVE the jam one :D
ReplyDeleteThat's my favourite too. It's the liberty fabric that does it!
DeleteThey are beautiful Gillian - I love the onion & artichoke.
ReplyDeleteMe too but they took a while. That's when it dawned on me that every pen line equaled more sewing (took two tea towels - I'm a bit dim).
DeleteOh what! You are so clever. These are fantastic! I've been meaning to make tea towels - on my todo list but the garden needs us. Free rides on the mower to any volunteers! x
ReplyDeleteI'll send John round for the mowing, he dreams about those ride on mowers!
Deletevery nicely done! they are so charming. good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cassie :-) xx
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful. Such simple designs beautifully drawn. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's almost as though I didn't really get a D for Art A level ;-)
DeleteBeautiful! I love the little fabric covers on the jam pots :)
ReplyDeleteTHanks Donna, they are my favourite too. I think I need to make more jam pot tea towels!
DeleteI went on a day out the other week and was taught freehand embroidery and have been looking for some tea towels, where did you get yours as I WANT them. Your tea towels are so wonderful that I may need to pay homage to you and do jam jars.
ReplyDeleteI got the tea towels from here: http://thecleverbaggers.co.uk/store/pc/home.asp
DeleteThey do a nice range of different prices, cotton, linen etc. I think they were around £2.50 each.
Your course sounds fantastic - my kind of day out!
Such beautiful embroidery. I love the jam jars.
ReplyDeleteNina x
Thanks Nina, the jam jars are definitely my favourite now!
Deletelove love love them they are FANTASTIC- to my shame mine are still untouched and awaiting inspiration!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks! One is for you as part of that crafty swap thing we said we'd do ages ago...
DeleteNo way!!! I am honoured. I've only done one of mine - though I have ideas for 2 more - I suspect yours will be baked as I my stitched efforts are shameful in comparison!
DeleteBeautiful - the jam jars are my favourite too. We have different 'grades' of tea towels (Ikea for daily use and Cath Kidston to drape over the handle of the oven door!!) xx
ReplyDelete"grades" of tea towels - i like that!
DeleteHi Gillian, thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind comments. For info on the Photo A Day challenge, go here: http://tinyurl.com/88mr72x. It's organised by Fat Mum Slim - you get a daily prompt for each photo and upload it to Instragram. If you don't have Instagram, you can still take part - just upload to Flickr and join the group on there. I hope you take part, it's good fun :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna. I don't have Instagram sadly (another reason why I NEED an iPhone...) but will look into taking part. It's a great idea.
DeleteThanks Joooles, you have a lovely Easter too. xx
ReplyDeleteWow they are gorgeous - I've also been working on some tea towels, nothing so fabulous though!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Show us your tea towels on your blog - bet they are lovely!
DeleteGillian - these are stunning! I am so gonna copy this idea, my tea towels are disgusting, I was complaining about them only the other day. Love the jam pot covers too cute! x
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Lou. I need to make more jam pot tea towels, there is a lot of jam pot love!
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