Words about Words!!!

At the beginning of August, I picked up a set blocks from my UFO pile. I had won these blocks through a Block Of the Month (BOM) activity at my guild at least two Decembers ago. The block was a Christmas package. I stitched a couple and then not long after, I managed to squeeze seven more out of the fabrics I had in my stash. I liked them so well, I decided to keep the nine blocks. Then I had none for the block contest so I made three more blocks! I haven't set the nine blocks; but, that is a story for another blog!

I won these six blocks. My plan was to make them into two wall hangings. I decided to use my machine embroidery to insert words between the blocks as well as in the outer border. 

I want to machine embroider words on a border on another WIP. So this would be a good practice project.

I gave myself three days to complete the words and a week to quilt, bind, label and sleeve one of the wall hangings. After three weeks, I'm was still struggling with words!!!

I have had words about words!!! I have learned that for small letters-- these are about 3/4 of an inch tall--step fill patterns don't show and that the satin stitch looks cleaner. The photo on the left is an example of a practice stitch to see what color thread and pattern I liked best.














I decided would try stitching a border. This is practice fabric that is pictured. I had challenges trying to position the next stitching with the previous stitching line when I rehooped the design.

Thanks to JoJo Hall,  I learned that words look better when the letters are spaced more like one would write them. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get my machine to cut the jump stitches between the letters so I cut these stitches at the end. I did stitch the short words (Joy, Love, Hope, Peace) and insert them into the blocks as sashing strips.

I liked it and thought that I could stop here; but I wanted a border on the outer edges so I tried another sample. I was getting closer, but still far away from being happy with the results.

I scheduled an appointment with the owner of Quilting Delights  to help me achieve the results that I have pictured in my head. After a two and a half hour one on one class, I think I'm a few stitch outs from success. Check back next week to view my progress.

Words are hard!!!!