Hello everyone
Firstly a BIG THANK YOU for the wonderful response to the idea of miniature embroidery. Your comments and thoughts are greatly appreciated and have been very helpful. I think we can safely say that everyone is in agreement that this is something you would like to see in kit form and I have every intention of pursuing it – actually am on to it already between other things like Colour Scheme booklets. Never a dull moment! Actually this is a very exciting concept for me – it has opened a whole warehouse of ideas and am now sleeping and eating miniatures much to my family’s dismay who live in hope of getting dinner on the table and homework done before bed time!
There were varying preferences for the background fabric some of you prefer the good old reliable cotton satin and some of you would like the flexibility of a muslin/cotton fabric to use for quilting, needlework accessories etc so the research for this is still in the pipeline. I have ordered samples of different fabrics and will test them out to find the most suitable. I think one needs to take into consideration the fineness of needle painting in miniature which requires a very close weave to allow for the specific stitching.
I have decided to base the miniature collection on the Victorian gift book and postcard illustrations. Not only are vintage illustrations gaining in popularity but the Victorian style lends itself so beautifully to this form of embroidery. The year is 1890 and I dream of sitting on a chair in the rose garden in my long flowing dress stitching and thinking sweet nothings. Perhaps I should have lived in this era ………… but then panic – no computers, could not do without the computer!  This weekend I did a trial run on a little pair of bluebirds from a gift book by Charlotte Murray. The actual picture is approx 6 cm (2inches) square.
Here are some illustration examples to give you an idea. Most of these old postcards are available for purchase through Etsy or online Vintage shops but if anyone is able to point me in the direction of a good source of vintage postcards that would be great.
When I embark on a new idea I like to try something that is challenging first so if it works I feel more confident about tackling similar pictures. The original illustration was weeny and not very clear so was relieved to satisfy myself that it could be done! Having done the preliminary sketches in crayon and come up with some plausible ideas I am ready to start –  Perhaps I will show you the working of a design from start to finish over a couple of blog posts because it is quite a process?
Just to be clear with regard the pansies I showed you last week. These are one of a collection of 4 projects that I have designed for Country Bumpkin in Australia and will be available from their shop as soon as they reach their destination. These 4 designs are exclusive to Country Bumpkin but this does not mean that all my other kits including the new collection of Miniatures are still available through the usual channels – my online shop:
and the new Etsy Shop.
Until next time wherever you are have a wonderful week and many happy stitching hours. Trish
Love the idea of vintage postcard miniatures – fabulous! A suggestion for your backing fabric – have you stitched on the Robert Kaufman Radiance fabrics? They are a cotton silk blend. I’ve used them in my crazy quilting and they are truly gorgeous to stitch on – the needle glides through the fabric. Not sure if it would be suitable but an idea.
Thanks for the suggested fabric. Lorraine will certainly look into it. Trish
Showing some of the process of your design in a couple of blog posts would be just lovely, watching one of your creations grow.
I Loooove the rose – the lower right postcard (hint, hint 🙂
Yes I plan to do this in the future Megan – the year is whizzing by and I have a lot to get through but maybe in the new year. Trish
Hi Trish
I love your work! Your talent is outstanding! I have all 5 of your books and love all of them. I hope you’ll do another book with more birds w/ branches & flowers. Your bird designs are really exciting. Guess you can tell I love birds. I’m just getting started with needle painting. I love it!!!
Thanks Carolyn glad to hear you are enjoying needle painting. Trish
Goodness me, those Bluebirds are just exquisite and I am waiting now for the pattern/kit to come out. I saw first hand in Adelaide just how wonderful your embroidery is so these new miniatures are going to be just divine. Good luck for this new venture.
Thanks Jo glad you like the birds. Trish
Darling baby birds! Thank you!
Diane in Maryland http://etsy.com/shop/dianegbean
Delightful bluebirds tell me you will make the pattern available.
Thanks Renee the kits will be ready in the next few weeks (before Christmas). Trish
Trish:
Love, love, love your new project. Yes, computers are allowing me to learn from you and do some wonderful embroidery. Trish, I am very limited in the ability to find fabrics locally. But I tried a 200 count cotton on my sample pansy from you and it turned out beautifully. All my friends are thinking about this project also. Many of us have quilted all of the quilts that we have a place to put them. Many stores in my state do carry the 200 count cotton. It has a lovely feel and is so easy to hoop and work with it.
Thanks for your use of your talent and sharing it with the world of emberoidery and those who love to do it.
Jane Splawn
Georgia Gal
USA
Thanks for the info on the fabric Jane. I am currently trying out Southern Belle 200ct muslin as recommended by Tanja Berlin for needle painting and yes it is very nice to stitch on. I think we are onto something here but think it best that it has a backing fabric? Would certainly be much easier for you to obtain. Trish
Wow… those look so cool! Gail J.
I love minatures myself:) Thanks for sharing your needleworking journey with us!
It’s a pleasure thanks Lisette. Trish
I love crazy quilt making. It takes a lot of embroidery skill embellishing all of the seams, etc. I see this mini stitch pattern idea as a way of making individual blocks look more like the bird and flower embroidered crazy quilts of the Victorian era.
I have to admit that personally, I was doubtful about the miniatures idea, because I feel like I already have too many little bits of things floating around. BUT, this sample has totally changed my mind! It is so gorgeous. Two inches! The stitching will have to be perfect. A fun challenge!
Thanks Monica and glad you changed your mind:) Trish
Hi Trish, the bluebirds and daisies are stunning!
Hope we see them soon in the shop (pdf will be nice for me, as the post is not reliable.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Have a nice day!
Yes PDF good idea Alet will make this available also. Trish
The vintage flowers postcards are lovely idea. They would make fantastic little designs for wood-box tops, book marks, make-up brush holders, etc. Great idea.
Great ideas thanks Cynthia. Trish
Hi. Trish!
You might try Dover Publications for the Victorian images. They have certain copyright restrictions, even in their “royalty free” stuff, but you can always contact them for permissions for use. They have some books with very clear illustrations of these types of things…
Sounds like a beautiful “little” (big!) idea.
Love the CB collection, by the way!
Hope all’s well with you!
Best regards, Mary
Trish, this is gorgeous!!!!
It will be a challenge to work on these little birds. Can hardly wait.
Hi Trish, your Bluebirds and Daisies are gorgeous. I love the idea of miniatures and am sure they are going to be a huge success. I love working on the cotton satin for the background material and I’m with you – I could not live without my computer.
Kerry
Thanks Kerry no what would we do without them. When I look back at how I worked on my first book with Windows 3 and the limitations I am so grateful to have technology now. Trish
A suggestion — to have kits for people who are into dollhouses – they’re always looking for wall art!!
Good idea thanks Marny. Trish
Trish, your Bluebirds and Daisies are stunning and oh so appealing! This new venture is going to be so exciting and I’m sure will draw a following of note! You are truly inspiring!
Hugz
Thanks Moz its nice to get your positive feedback. Trish