The Summer Cottage sampler is finished!
The last stitch has been taken.
I am happy with the way it turned out.
This pattern contains some coloring
as well as applique accents.
The applique is done using scraps
of finely woven cotton and silk.
The coloring is done with watercolor pencils
and the pigment is smoothed with a water brush.
I happen to have Cretacolor brand pencils,
but any good brand will do.
A tip to remember when using watercolor pencils
to coloring on fabric:
do NOT wash the fabric first. Fabric contains sizing.
When the sizing is washed out, the cloth fibers may
wick the pigments out of the colored area
as you use water to smooth them.
The second thing to remember is to allow just enough
water in the brush bristles to dampen the color
as you move the brush back and forth over the color.
Too much water will also cause the fabric to wick
pigment along with access water into unwanted areas.
This should not be a problem as long as you
are mindful as you go through the process.
If you are more comfortable using crayons
or regular colored pencils, those will work fine, too.
Do one color at a time and then heat set
the color with a medium hot iron.
Do not iron over a color that has NOT been
smoothed with the water brush.
The color will then be set and you will not be
able to smooth it.
Here are the colors I chose to use.
The embroidery is done with
12 wt Sulky Blendables Thread,
#4011 Milk Chocolate,
#4020 Moss Medley,
#4103 Pansy.
This thread is about the same weight
as 1 1/2 strands of DMC floss.
I use a needle with a larger eye
and have no problem threading the needle.
I love the variegated look of this thread.
It adds so much dimension to the embroidery.
Ask your local quilt shop if they carry
Simply....made by fay patterns.
Or you may purchase the pattern here.
Happy Stitching.
Fay
