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Celebrating the Holidays with
Ellen Johnson's Online Class
Click here for info about Ellen Johnson


 

Holiday Sachet Pouch
Designed by Ellen Johnson

Materials

Soie Cristale 12 ply silk embroidery thread

___#5081 for holly leaves
___#2071 for ribbons
___#2073 for holly berries
___#10 crewel needles
___2 5" x 9" pieces of white linen fabric
___1 yard of 1/8" white double faced satin ribbon
(Ribbon should be cut into 6 pieces--each measuring 6" in length.)
___iron and ironing board
___spray starch
___tape measure
___straight pins
___Fray Check
___fine line water soluble marking pen
___5" embroidery hoop
___embroidery scissors
___paper scissors
___white sewing thread
___sewing machine
 
Click Here for Pattern to print out

Instructions

Please read all instructions before beginning.

1. Lightly spray starch over the entire surface of each strip of linen and iron dry. Zigzag stitch the raw edges of the fabric (with white thread) on the sewing machine. Put one of the strips aside until time to construct the sachet pouch.

2. Fold the remaining strip in half so that it measures 5" x 4 1/2". Finger press the fold to create a crease.

3. Cut out the sachet pouch pattern along the designated lines. Slide the pattern inside the folded fabric, making certain that the fold line on the pattern and folded edge of the fabric are properly aligned. Secure the pattern to the fabric with straight pins. Trace the pattern markings (including the embroidery design) onto the linen fabric with a fine line water soluble marking pen.

4. Work the embroidery according to the instructions supplied. Refer to the color picture of the project as necessary. Happy Stitching!

* Special note to stitchers: Ellen's website contains a resource page,The Embroiderer's Workbook, which uses photographic illustrations that demonstrate how to do certain embroidery stitches. To access that information go to http://www.heirloomembroidery.com

5. Fold the unembroidered strip of fabric in half so that it measures 5" x 4 1/2". Finger press the fold to create a crease.

6. Place the two 5" x 4 1/2" squares of fabric right sides together. Align the edges and make certain that the folded edges are matched. (The folded edges will serve as the finished opening of the sachet pouch.) Pin the sides and bottom of the pouch with straight pins. Machine stitch the sides and bottom using a 1/2" seam allowance. Trim the seam down to 1/4" and zigzag stitch the raw edges to prevent fraying. Turn the pouch so that the embroidery is on the outside.

7. Treat both ends of each 6" length of ribbon with Fray Check and allow to air dry.

8. Stitch the ribbon ties to the inside of the opening--3 on each side. Space the ties equal distances apart. (Refer to the picture of the project, if necessary.)

9. Place the sachet pouch, embroidered side down, on a thick terry towel. Spray lightly with starch, wait two minutes, and iron carefully.

10. Fill the pouch with potpourri and tie the ribbons in tiny bows to close. The ribbons may be trimmed if the streamers are too long. (Remember to treat the ends of the ribbons with Fray Check if the streamers are trimmed.) Empty the pouch when the potpourri loses its fragrance and replace with a new batch.

***Traces of the (blue) water soluble marking pen may be removed by moistening one end of a Q-tip swab with cool water; very lightly and carefully dab (only) the affected areas with the damp Q-tip. Take special care to avoid touching the silk thread with the moist Q-tip. (Squeeze the excess water from the Q-tip to prevent the dye in the silk thread from bleeding onto the fabric.)

Working the Embroidery

Shadow work embroidery is the technique used to stitch this charming holiday project. Work all of the embroidery with two strands of Soie Cristale threaded in a #10 crewel needle. Begin by stitching the elegant red ribbons. Next, work the shiny green holly leaves. Use a backstitch to form the vein down the center of each holly leaf--after the shadow work embroidery of each leaf has been completed. Finally, stitch the bright red holly berries. As an alternative to stitching the shadow embroidered holly berries, you may substitute 4 mm red onyx beads. These are available at most fine needlework shops as Item # 290 from Access Commodities.

Use a waste knot when beginning the embroidery. Make a knot in the thread. Go down into the fabric at least two inches away from the starting point; bring the needle up at the starting point and begin stitching. Upon completing the stitching with that thread, cut the waste knot off and pull the thread through to the back of the fabric. Thread the short "tail" into the needle and secure to the back of the embroidery using three or four small loop knots.

About Ellen Johnson

Ellen Johnson is the maven of an "Heirloom Cottage Industry." When she made her mind up in January of this year, that she wanted to publish her embroidery patterns, The Heirloom Embroidery Collection was born. From that auspicious start came other ventures: developing a needle collection, The Heirloom Embroidery Needle Collection, and an instructional video tape series, The Heirloom Embroidery NeedleArts Classroom. The first tape in this series was Embroidery 101, with the second, Beyond the Basics, to follow in January, 2000 along with an exclusive collection of linens, embellished with designs from her line of embroidery patterns, The Heirloom Embroidery Collection of Fine Linens. Ellen introduces you to these and more on her fascinating website, http://www.heirloomembroidery.com, specifically designed to be educational, enriching, inspiring and entertaining.

Ellen Johnson works as a freelance designer, teacher and author. Her project-based articles have appeared in publications including Decorating Digest Craft and Home Projects, Creative Needle, Fancywork and Handcraft Illustrated.

Ellen's patterns use a few basic embroidery stitches and techniques: stem stitch, lazy daisy stitch, French knot, bullion stitch, fly stitch, backstitch, and shadow work embroidery. She stresses: "Beginners will find that the stitches I use are quite simple when the appropriate tools are used...The combination of simple stitches into intricate patterns makes the work look difficult, but it is very easy to do."

Ellen's company mission statement says it all: "Our mission is to produce a variety of aesthetically appealing needlework projects which feature the following components: clear and concise instructions, utilization of readily available materials, and a useful / practical application." She is devoted to the preservation and perpetuation of needlework as a fine art. Therefore, it stands to reason that Ellen encourages stitchers to use only the finest materials available, for if valuable time is to be spent working on a project, the final product should be something of which that stitcher can be proud. You will certainly experience this pride in completing her class.

For more information contact Ellen Moore Johnson

Fine Designs for Heirloom Treasures
3806 Somerset Place
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Phone: (205) 556- 9222
Fax: (205) 556 - 4761

E mail: ellenjohnson@heirloomembroidery.com

Website: http://www.heirloomembroidery.com

© 1999 The Caron Collection / Voice: (203) 381-9999, Fax: 203 381-9003

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