Redwork Tree Skirt- Part 4: Finish-Along is complete

Well, I did it! I finished all of the redwork for the custom tree skirt. The only hang up now, is that my mother (& my partner in crime when it comes to putting these pieces into quilts & things) is laid up with a broken ankle. But my part is complete. & done in time to have successfully completed the UFO finish-along!

Panel no. 7 is traced out & tools are gathered

Panel no. 7 is complete

Underside of panel no. 8 in progress

Panel  no. 8 is complete

I have to say, that I really dig redwork with a touch of turquoise. It came out wicked cool as snowflakes. Can't wait to see the whole tree skirt together & underneath Heather's tree next Christmas!

Oh! & a huge "Thank you" to Vicki of the GYB party & all my new followers!

Redwork Tree Skirt- Part 1

Most of the items I am currently working on are for gifts, so I can't share them yet. However, this particular custom redwork project was designed by my little sistar, so I can start posting the process.

Heather was (& is) the kind of kid that would go sneaking through the house looking for the Christmas presents that mom would wrap & hide throughout the house. One year she found the coveted Cabbage Patch dolls & had the nerve to hint that what she really wanted was a bald boy doll with a tooth. So mom had to brave the stores again to replace the blond, blue-eyed girl doll with the requisite bald boy.

She also loved to guess her gifts before opening. This was not a problem on her birthday, but at Christmas it was annoying. This was because we are very close in age & mom would buy us the same things but in different colors. So, I had to watch what she was doing so I could open the same gift at the same time (pink & purple hairdryers, Walkmans, dolls).

Anyway... Heather drew the redwork patterns out for me & I am just trying to get them done in time. Here goes...

Original drawing by Heather Dolton- Acorns

 Above is one of Heather's original drawings for her new tree skirt. She then had to scan the drawings & send them to me via email because she lives in Las Vegas & I'm back home in Upstate NY.

After adjusting the size of the drawings, I was able to create the patterns. Below I am tracing the pattern out on cotton muslin using a #2 pencil.

Using pencil to trace the pattern

First stitch

 I started stitching on the long trip to New Orleans to see my brother & his family over Thanksgiving. I got quite a bit done: 2 whole panels (out of 8). I could have done more but the highway in Alabama was so bumpy that I couldn't embroider without poking myself & bleeding all over the fabric.

Finished first panel

Second panel is started- bird

Heather chose DMC floss #321, which is a typical redwork color that I always have on hand.

Tools of the trade

Starting panel 3- pine cones

I've gotten a bit farther on panel 3. I should finish it today. Some of the other panels are not as complex, so they should go a little faster... I'll keep you posted on my progress.


Click for UPDATE.