Sunday, November 21, 2021

Holiday Sewing

I am sure a lot of you sew or create for the holidays.  I love to give presents that I have made or at least partially made.  This year I am embroidering some flour sack towels to give as gifts to some of my family and extended family.   This is relatively inexpensive but will hopefully give them something that is decorative and useful.   
The first towels I ordered seemed a bit thin to me. Some of those were embroidered while I awaited the second order.  When the 2nd order arrived, I was surprised at the large size of the towels. (Yes, I know it was in the description - but I apparently didn't think it through.)   They are 33" by 38" towels.  You could use them as aprons!  There as a review that mentioned cutting them into quarters and hemming the two cut edges.  I did that with one and realized that it makes them too small. Those four are the size of cloth napkins.   So, I decided to cut them in half - making them 33" by 18" roughly, after hemming the cut edge.  I still have a few to cut and embroider. 

Here are some of the results. 
I love the Sunbonnet Sue ones.  I did a couple of Holiday tree designs at first. 
Then I decided, if it were me, I would prefer some I could use all year. 

And, as I had created the design below - and never did a test sew, 
I decided to change the outer petals to a thicker stitch (a bean stitch)
and use it also.  This one may be for me. 

The design is one I created to be a single run quilting design. 
That means it starts and ends at the same point and only sews a single 
thread for each stitch - just as if you were doing FMQ. 

The top set of towels have been washed and they came out of the wash just fine. 
I was using cut-away stabilizer, but on one I tried a tear-away/wash-away stabilizer. 
I was pleased to see that it did not distort in the wash. 

The star-flower that is on the bottom towel has not been washed. 
The tear-away/wash-away stabilizer is still behind most it.  
I did tear away the outer edges. 

Are you sewing for holidays?

By the way,  any of my family  that may be reading this:
Sorry if I spoiled your surprise. 



Until Next Time,  
Stay Creative 


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

6 comments:

Barbara said...

Gene, you are so creative! No matter the size, they will be treasured and appreciated.

Julierose said...

Lovely work, Gene!! I also love Sunbonnet Sues--such charming vintage looks with them.
My Christmas sewing this year is a group of three "JOY" banners...i have limited amts. of time available to me these days, so these work really well...
Hugs, Julierose

Kathleen said...

Wonderful work, Gene. I don’t sew too much for the holidays and we do very little exchanging now that the kids are all young adults. I rather like it that way.

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

What a terrific idea! I like the ones that you can use all year, too! - ;))

Vicki W said...

That's a great gift idea and I love your star flower!

Jeanna said...

Those towels are adorable, Gene. I think receiving a holiiday towel and one that can be used all year would make a great gift.