Long-and-Short Chinese Lotus---Progress

Sorry for the short post. I just wanted to share with you all my progress of the long-and-short Chinese lotus.

More images

Here are some close-up pictures of my silk saree embroidery.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas.

Friends, I'm Back!

Hi Friends,

I am back after a long break. I try to update my blog everyday, but lot of responsibilities keep me away from devoting some time for my blog. Well...below are some photos that show the progress of the embroidery on the silk saree which I mentioned in my last post. Actually, I did not finish embroidering the whole saree. My poor friend, she understood my situation and said I can finish it whenever I find time. I have a dozen UFOs and I keep on adding UFOs. I hate this habit of mine. Now I am planning to finish at least the two projects---the Chinese yellow lotus and the silk saree---as fast as i can.

I will post the close-up images tomorrow.

Long-and-Short Sweet Pea---Images

When I was digging out my closet today I found this piece which I embroidered in 2009. I did not post the images of the finished piece then. I thought of sharing some images with you all now.

 

Embroidery on Silk --- Progress

I did not make much progress with my new project. This is what I have done so far on the saree pallu design.

Embroidery on Silk

I have started a new project---embroidery on a silk saree. I am planning to finish this project as fast as possible, because I am doing this for one of my friends. She wants to wear the saree for a family function next month. This project appears to be a daunting task for me.

The image below shows the border of the saree:



The paisley design is my own creation. I have finished only one paisley (in the image below) out of fifteen.



Fourteen more to do........... :-(

And, here is flower design I am stitching on the pallu (the ornamental end piece of the sari usually draped over the shoulder). I decided to test whether long-and-short stitch works fine on silk, and I am really pleased with the result. In my own experience, I find it very easy to stitch long and short on silk than on cotton or georgette. Since I have less time, I didn't use split stitch for the corners of the petals.



I got the design for the pallu from a book I bought at a local embroidery shop. I will post the design tomorrow.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me.... I hope I will make some progress tomorrow.

P.S.: I have kept my Chinese lotus project aside, at least for some time.

Quick and Easy Embroidery

A few months ago, I stitched this simple little embroidery on a plain table napkin — just to add a bit of charm and color to an otherwise ordinary piece of fabric. It’s one of those projects you can start and finish in a short afternoon, yet it brings so much satisfaction when you see the delicate texture and cheerful design come to life.

The pattern is made using buttonhole circles and detached chain stitches, which many of you might also know as the lazy daisy stitch. Both stitches are beginner-friendly and can be completed in just a few minutes. The buttonhole circles form lovely, raised blossoms, while the lazy daisy stitches add graceful little leaves around them. Together, they create a simple floral motif that looks elegant on almost any fabric — from napkins and handkerchiefs to cushion covers and tote bags.

To make this piece, I chose a deep blue base fabric that contrasts beautifully with the white, pink, and green threads. The colors pop vibrantly against the background, making the embroidery look fresh and lively, even though it only uses a handful of stitches.

Now, I must admit something — I still haven’t used the napkin! The reason? I haven’t sewn the hem yet. Hemming is my least favorite part of any sewing project. I always find myself too impatient to start stitching right away. The excitement of seeing the embroidery unfold on the fabric is irresistible. I tell myself I’ll hem it later… and, well, “later” hasn’t quite arrived yet!

If you’re anything like me, you probably understand that feeling — that irresistible urge to skip the “boring” prep work and jump straight into the creative part. I hope there are many of you out there who feel the same way. After all, embroidery is supposed to be joyful and relaxing, not about rules and routines.

So, if you’re looking for something quick, easy, and satisfying to stitch this weekend, try this little floral design. A few buttonhole circles, a handful of lazy daisies, and a splash of color. That’s all it takes to brighten your linens and your mood.