I was up early and decided to do a little sewing and finish up this dish towel I started last week. The design is from a group of old liquid embroidery patterns I found somewhere. Remember liquid embroidery? I never went down that road; seemed like a rather messy craft with all those fat tubes of paint. There are two more darling motifs that compliment this tea cup, check *Sweet Surprises* if you want them. If you need a refresher on how to band a dishtowel, visit my tutorial here. (Watch-out for that peanut butter cup though! Just scroll down...)
As I went digging through my stash of jellyroll strips I found this print that matched perfectly! I wish I could remember the name of this bundle; they get all mixed up after I unroll them. Maybe it's one of these. I checked but didn't see it. And while I was over there innocently "checking", I found way too many new rolls calling my name. Now that could be dangerous. At least they're not fattening.
Just the touch of sweetness I was craving... a post from Turkey Feathers!
Thank you.
Posted by: Natalie | April 16, 2009 at 09:53 AM
So beautiful!! Like always!
Posted by: Miss Paula | April 16, 2009 at 10:34 AM
So pretty - thank you for sharing the pattern with us!
Posted by: Nadine | April 16, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Thank you for the sweet surprise and the tutorial for putting the band on. I am going to look for a jelly roll to use just for this purpose. I don't sew much but love embroidery and I think I can handle this easy finish ;)
Posted by: Paula | April 16, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Very pretty and so charming! I so enjoy your handwork :) Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: Sharon D. | April 16, 2009 at 10:52 AM
So pretty, the print is from Shangri La!
Posted by: Janet | April 16, 2009 at 11:46 AM
I think this towel is so pretty. One of your prettiest, and the fabric is the perfect choice.
Thank you for sharing yet another wonderful design, Vicki.
Posted by: Lena | April 16, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Oh simply wonderful! I've been stewing a bit about Mother's Day and I think that I can stop now. That fabric is a perfect complement to your embroidery.
Posted by: Vee | April 16, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I am so impressed with this little tea towel..it is so perfect. It's such a simple sweetness...just the kind of thing to bring a smile to one's face!!
Posted by: cathleen | April 16, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Beautiful - I LOVE the colors. I do remember liquid embroidery. I never went down that road either - I'd much rather embroider with needle and floss!
Posted by: Susan | April 16, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Oh yeah, I did the Artex paint thing back in the day. Everything was stiff & the dumb paint things always clogged up and didn't spread right. I tried about every craft I could when I was young, so I guess you learn from every experience.
Your tea towel is extremely cute! Definitely puts Artex to shame.
Posted by: Sue | April 16, 2009 at 08:13 PM
I love making dish towels too! I love to make them for gifts for my girl friends and give recipes with them. Yours are darling!
Posted by: Debbie | April 16, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Darling! I have that same jelly roll unrolled in my sewing room. I've been pulling bits and pieces from it here and there. I had a thought about keeping them together and organized- use a sock organizer! Then you can stick the label in the bottom and you will always know which line it is from. :)
Thanks for sharing this and I'm glad it is not liquid embroidery. ;)
Posted by: Karin | April 17, 2009 at 04:39 AM
I love love love your towel! It would be perfect in my kitchen... so I uess I'll have to make me some from your sweet surprises pattern. Thank you! :-)
Posted by: Velma | April 17, 2009 at 06:13 AM
What a pretty tea towel! Thank you for sharing the idea as well as link to your banding tutorial.
Posted by: Junie Moon | April 17, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Thanks so much for the pattern, it was just what I was looking for for some Mother's day gifts!
Posted by: Loralyn | April 17, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Thank You Vicki!
xo
debbie
Posted by: debbie h | April 17, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Thanks, Vicki! I must have missed the band tutorial earlier. I make lots of dish towels for gifts!
Posted by: Teresa | April 17, 2009 at 01:54 PM
Simply lovely!
Posted by: Sue | April 17, 2009 at 04:03 PM
The tea towel is adorable! That little strip of fabric you added goes perfect.
Posted by: Gina | April 19, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Oh! That is "sew" pretty! The fabric you trimmed it with couldn't be more perfect!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | April 20, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Hello...wandered on over from Big Yellow Farmhouse...what a beautiful tea towel. Lovely embroidery! And your little grand daughter looks absolutely scrumptious! Hope to stop by again soon!
Stay Cozy, Carrie
Posted by: Carrie | April 20, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Love the tea towel with it's teacup and flowers. Very pretty.
Posted by: Maureen | April 21, 2009 at 06:23 AM
Adorable pattern!
Posted by: Zee | April 21, 2009 at 06:32 PM
This is sooo pretty. It's stuff like this that first inspired me to be a crafter!
Posted by: Kristena | April 22, 2009 at 01:49 PM
I'm just beginning embroidery--do you use all six strands when you work? the stitching in the tea towel is so lovely 3d.
my reply::
Thank you Molly!
I rarely use all six strands at once for any type of embroidery. The thread will be doubled and it's hard to pull 12 strands through at once--plus it's impossible to get fine detail with that much bulk. You'll need to carefully separate the strands into groups.
To do this, cut a length of 15" and select the number of strands. Hold the floss up in front of you and pull it apart slowly so the threads don't tangle, allowing them to unwind on their own.
For the teatowel, I used 4 strands on the cup, leaves, white flower, and all three yellow flower centers; 3 strands for the red flowers.
Good Luck with it!
~V.
Posted by: Molly F | April 23, 2009 at 04:43 AM
Absolutely adorable!!!
Posted by: belinda | April 23, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I believe the fabric is Shangri-La by 3 Sisters...I LOVE that fabric and have way too much in my stash ;-) Great towel. I will bookmark your tutorial. Thank you for sharing!!!
Posted by: Bugzmommy | April 23, 2009 at 05:10 PM