Give Thanks

By Jenny of Elefantz

2011 free block of the month

www.elefantz.com

about Give Thanks

~~~
Over the last couple of years there have been many challenges facing our neighbours, nations, our world, our neighbours, family, friends, and our own lives. When struggles occur it is far easier to focus on the sorrows and trials than on the continuing goodness that still exists in our lives. This BOM is my small attempt to have our hearts and thoughts dwell on those good good things for which we can give thanks. This month, January, we shall make the wall hanging part of the BOM. Then from February 1st December 1st Ill share a small stitched verse of thankful inspiration, made up into a mini hanging that you can display in the blank in centre section of the wallhanging. If you know of someone who is struggling, I encourage you to make one for minithem as well, or even to use the mini-hangings each month as encouraging postcards you can mail out, or even display in small frames. Whatever you choose to do with this BOM, I pray sincerely that it blesses you through 2011. Hugs Jenny of Elefantz xxx

January: The Wallhanging

Requirements:
1 fat quarter cream tonal fabric (you will use the remainder for the monthly mini-hangings) mini 1 fat quarter red and pink spot fabric fat 1 fat quarter turquoise and cream spot fabric One, 5 length of turquoise/red floral fabric (44 inches long) One, 11 x 15 inch piece of fusible wadding One, 1 cream button 21, crystal seed beads 2, turquoise seed beads DMC threads, 1 skein each of 57, 94, 225, 598, Ecru Cream machine thread Vliesofix or bonding paper 10 inch square of Whisperweft (or your preferred fusible stitchery backing)

Cutting:
From the red and pink spot fabric, cut Two, 2 1/8th x 4 inch strips strips Three, 9 x 1 inch strips Two, 4 x 1 strips From the turquoise and cream spot fabric, cut One, 6 x 4 inch rectangle One, 11 x 15 inch rectangle (backing fabric) From the turquoise/red floral fabric, cut Two, 2 x 44 inch lengths, and crosscut crosscut One, 2 x 9 inch length

Block Preparation:
1. Cut two blocks from the cream tonal fabric one, 8 x 5 inch, and one, 10 x 2 inch 2. Trace the give thanks design onto the centre of the larger block, and the row of roses and hearts across the centre of the long narrow block. 3. Trace the reverse heart shapes onto the smooth side of a scrap of Vliesofix or other bonding paper. 4. Fuse the heart shapes onto the back of one end of a 2 inch strip of turquoise/red floral fabric. 5. Cut them out and fuse in place on the traced designs. 6. Cut the Whisperweft to size and fuse to the back of both blocks before you begin stitching.

Stitched Blocks:
(Large block)
1. Use two strands of 598 to blanket stitch around the heart. 2. Backstitch the roses with two strands of 57, and the leaves with 94. 3. Using just one strand of 598, chain stitch the wording give thanks 4. leave the rest of the stitching and beading until the front of the hanging is complete

(Small block)
1. Blanket stitch around the small hearts with two strands of 598. Backstitch 2. Backstitch the roses with two strands of 57, and the leaves with 94. 3. Using just one strand of 598, chain stitch the scroll at each end 4. leave the beading until the front of the hanging is complete

Assembly
1. Trim the long embroidered hearts and roses block to 9 x 1 inches red/pink 2. Sew the two, 2 1/8th x 4 inch strips red/pink spot down both sides of the 6 x 4 inch turquoise/cream spot rectangle 3. Use two, 9 x 1 inch strips of red/pink spot to sew onto the top and bottom of the turquoise/cream spot rectangle.

4. Sew the long embroidered block across the top. 5. Sew the 2 x 9 inch length of turquoise/red floral fabric along the top of the long embroidered block. 6. Trim the large give thanks block to 7 x 4 inches 7. Sew the two, 4 x 1 strips of red/pink spot fabric down both sides 8. Sew the remaining 9 x 1 inch strip of red/pink spot across the bottom of the block. 9. Sew the top and bottom sections of the wallhanging together. 10. Fuse the fusible wadding to back of the wallhanging front.

Finishing the embroidery and beading:

1. Use two strands of 225 to stitch the running stitch/cross-stitch border of the Give stitch/crossblock. Thanks block. 2. Use two strands of 598 to running stitch a line just outside the blue/cream spot centre rectangle. across 3. Use two strands of 57 to running stitch a line across the bottom of the turquoise/red floral strip at the top of the wallhanging. 4. See photo for placement and stitch the cream button in place using 2 strands of 598. 5. Using one strand of Ecru thread, backstitch the crystal seed beads in place along the right top right of the large heart in the Give Thanks block.

6. Use one strand of Ecru thread to backstitch the crystal seed beads in place on the top block, and one strand of 598 to backstitch the turquoise seed beads in place.

15 7. Use basting spray to fuse the 11 x 15 inch rectangle of turquoise/cream spot to the back of the wallhanging.

Binding & Finishing:

1. Join the two 2 inch wide lengths of turquoise/red floral fabric strips together end to end with 45 degree seams. 2. Trim the seams and press them open, then press the strip in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together. 3. Starting at the midpoint on one of the sides and about 4in along the binding strip, pin the binding through all layers to the raw edges of the wallhanging. wallhanging. sew 4. Using a walking foot on your machine, sew the binding in place, mitring the corners as you go. When you are a couple of inches away from the start, fold a narrow hem in the outside binding, trim the surplus off the inside one and slip one end inside the other. 5. At this point you may want to add a hanging sleeve as I did. Use some scraps of fabric to do so, and sew in place along the top edge of the wallhanging back. 6. Trim the batting and backing 1/4in beyond the edge of the quilt top. Turn the folded back slipedge of the binding over the raw edges to the back of the quilt and slip-stitch it in place. 7. Slip a quilt hanger into the hanging sleeve, or even a smooth branch, and wait for miniFebruary 1st when I can share the first mini-hanging with you. ~~~~~ Jennifer Reynolds, Give Thanks is an original and copyright design by Jennifer Reynolds, Jenny of Elefantz 2011 It is shared for your personal use or gift giving only, but in no way are you permitted to profit from my design. Please respect my rights as a designer. Hugs, Jenny

heart reverse for appliqu

hearts Small hearts reverse for appliqu