Monday 5 May 2008

Irish Wallhanging

I bet you're thinking "Oh no! Not her again! Does she never shut up??!!" Hehehehe!
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Anyway, I can't wait any longer! I've finished the wallhanging I told you about here and I think it's safe to show you as I doubt that our friends will be looking at my blog before we see them tomorrow.


The eventual arrangement of images and lace differs quite a bit from my original thoughts. I laid some of the images on background fabrics to frame them. (Don't look at the wonky lace!)
I decided that some hand stitching was needed and I used feather stitch and seeding stitch as you can see above. I also used lines of straight stitching to suggest waves on the top panel which you can see on the finished piece below.
Once I was sure I had finished the hand sewing I backed the wallhanging on a taupe coloured linen and machined a zigzag three times round the edge to hold it all together. I was going to hand couch a cord round the edge but I decided after machine stitching that this wasn't needed. The shamrock embellishments were painted with inks and ended up stitched on at the bottom (more wonkyness!). I've sewn two linen tabs on at the top and at the moment a cinnamon stick is providing the hanger.
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I've really enjoyed making this wallhanging, although I did have a nasty moment yesterday when I dismantled the hook race (otherwise known as the bobbin casing) on my machine and couldn't get it back together again. The air was blue! I nearly rang Gina! Then I had dinner and tried again. This time I put the things in the right way round! Bingo! VBG. Mind you, I am now having the 'collywobbles' wondering if my friend will like it. I hope it's not too twee.
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18 comments:

artisbliss said...

This finished up very nicely, Julie. I'm sure your friends will love it.

Gina said...

Julie... it's lovely and I'm sure your friends will think so too! ... and you can ring anytime!

Maureen said...

A beautiful wall hanging - of course they'll like it.

Maureen said...
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Judy Scott said...

Julie this is really special and they will be delighted, youve done some wonderful stitching on it too. Jx

Guzzisue said...

they will love it :)

Robin Mac said...

Julie, the wall hanging is lovely, of course your friends will like it. I tried to leave a message yesterday to say that I have signed up for Sharron Boggon's course after reading about it on your blog and Doreen's. Should be fun. Cheers, Robin

Genie said...

Your friends will be over the moon, The wallhanging is lovely.

gunnelsvensson said...

Such a lovely wallhanging! GREAT!

sharon young said...

The hanging has worked out a treat ,Julie, I love the addition of the hand stitching. Your friends will love it.

Mrs Moog said...

It's lovely Julie!! I love your handstitching, it adds so much texture.

I should think your friends will be thrilled with such a beautiful gift.

xxx

Frances said...

Julie your wall hanging is beautiful, full of memories of their holidays and of good friends, I hope they loved it,

thanks for all your photos I have to admit I have skimmed some of the writing as I had such a lot to catch up on, I'm pleased you enjoyed your hols,
best thoughts Frances,

Purple Missus said...

There you go - what can I say that hasn't already been said? Your friends will love it, all those memories to take back with them.

Your watercolour pieces are fantastic - what a great technique.

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Gosh yu ar so clever!
I like this.
I like all the diffrent bloos!

:@D

DeeMom said...

I will say again, you are one talented woman

Beautiful hanging

Julie said...

Ooh Bob! Thank yu! I just reelized abowt the bloo and Gills! How slow am I?

Julie said...

Dee, Thank you very much xx

Becky Mairi Farrell said...

Wow! I can't imagine how many hours of work are in this piece. Your friends will love it!