I think I've mentioned that I have been stitching from the two Pairie Schooler charts "A Pairie Year" I and II. When I started this project in 2006 it was my intention to stitch each month in the year as it happened and finish each design in a different way. That has obviously not happened, but I have recently picked these designs back up and would like to work on them in earnest again. I thought I'd share my progress.
So here is January finished as a pin pillow with tassles on each corner.
February is finished as a 'biscornu'. or an eight-cornered pin cushion. This is one of my very favorite ways to finish a small design. I've made a number of these but I always give them away. This is one I kept! I should really make more of these.
March is a pinkeep. I love pinkeeps but I am terrible at making them. My bows never look good and I am not very good at stretching the linen over the matte board that needs to hold the design taut. The back is covered with cotton fabric. I had intended to stitch the month, year and my initials on each design, but that sort of got lost along the way after this one.
April is a rabbit. I should really try and finish him this month. I had planned on turning him into a little pillow as I have lots of springtime fabric.
I don't really like the May design on either chart, but this is the one I will likely stitch. Not sure how I will finish it. I have a feeling I'll end up finishing it in the same way as one of the other designs. I'm not sure how creative I can get for twelve different projects.
I very much like June, however. Again, not sure how to finish it. Maybe I'll attempt to make cording, which will be attached and made into a scissor fob. I like making cording, but I hate sewing it on--you can always see my stitches!
I stitched July years ago, but I only finished it last year. It is a pin pillow. I forgot to add my initials or the date. Oh well. Too late now.
And here is August! I finished it last night and am very pleased with it. This is my second try at making a 'mattress' pincushion, and while I was happy with my first attempt I am much happier with this second try!
September has a back to school theme. What a thought when the weather hasn't even turned really nice yet for spring!
October has a witch. I will probably finish her as another pin pillow like the July design as I have lots of fun fall fabric.
November will be a cornucopia.
And December is Santa with a little pine tree. These will be my Prairie Schooler year! If I finish them this year, it will only have taken me a mere six years to complete! See how fast I stitch!
I think I started this project with you and I made it to May. I was stitching it on one piece of fabric over one thread. Everytime I see it in my Wip pile, I get the guilts. I guess I should pull closer to the top of the pile! Your finishes are beautiful!
Posted by: Joanie | April 19, 2011 at 06:05 AM
Dani, these look great! You're finishing is beautiful! I'm finishing phobic. Every year I resolve to get over it but....oh well. I have one of these charts and maybe I should try your idea-might help with my fear of finishing.Thanks for the inspiration! Nancy D. in NY Hedghogmom@aol.com
Posted by: Nancy Dwinell | April 19, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Wow what an impressive post!! I loved your finishes,
especially the mattress pincushion. It was perfection.
Finishing always intimidates me, thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: tammy | April 19, 2011 at 09:39 AM
I think it looks great (especially your January)
And, I positively entreat you to skip May (and substitute something else if it becomes the 12th to be completed and you still don't like it.) and stitch June since you're "feeling" it more. :D
Posted by: beritbunny | April 19, 2011 at 01:25 PM
I really like how you are finishing all of these off. How creative. I really like the January biscornu.
Posted by: Debbie | April 19, 2011 at 03:11 PM
I'm so impressed with all you've done with these cute patterns. I've had that pattern for years but have I stitched from it yet?? NO! Tend to keep buying more and not really looking at what treasures I already have I guess. I think all your finishes are very creative - you could always do a little sachet bag with a drawstring or needlebook too. Will be watching to see what you do with the rest of the months.
Posted by: Jeanne | April 20, 2011 at 02:38 PM
Oh, I really love your finishes. Did you make your own tassels for these?
Posted by: Suzanne | April 21, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Joanie--I know that feeling well! For a long time I stuck the bag with the charts and unfinished designs in a bin and didn't look at them. I should keep going now that I have the desire again to stitch on them! You are brave to do them over one! :)
Nancy--My first attempts are usually pretty awful, but with practice I've gotten a little better. And it's amazing how much advice others can give and how helpful it is! I do stay away from certain types of finishing, but it's nice that these are small. Also I prefer to stay away from the sewing machine as I can't seem to sew a straight line!!
Tammy--Finishing usually intimidates me, too. I can do a few things okay now that I've had practice so I tend to stick with those types of finishes. I was pleased with this mattress pincushion--it was a vast improvement over my first attempt.
Beritbunny--Thanks! I think I am going to take you up on that advice. I plan on pulling out my fabric this weekend and working on those lovely little birds of June! Besides Easter will be over with in only a few more days, so the rabbit can wait a bit! :)
Debbie--Thank you! I really love biscornus. I would love to stitch another one to keep for myself. I have one started that is a Just Nan design--it has two different color fabrics and I love the way it looks--alas it has turned into a UFO. I should dig around in my bins and pull it out.
Jeanne--I am notorious for collecting charts and not stitching them, so don't feel bad. I think I must have seen someone else stitching these at the time and decided to do them as well. I really would love to finish them this year. I love PS designs and I have lots of them to stitch. I have been pretty good the last couple of years however and not bought much in the way of new stash--I have too much and I am not stitching as much as I used to. If I see something I want I try and think of something in my stash that is similar that will make me feel as though I am not depriving myself! Good ideas--I have done both types of finishing (not my best work, but...) and they would both look nice with these designs!
Suzanne--I actually did make the tassles. I just use a little piece of cardboard that I wind the floss around and then tie it together. They don't look too bad do they?
Posted by: Danielle | April 21, 2011 at 09:04 PM
What lovely finishes! Do keep with them because it will be so worth it when you've them all completed. I'm another one who always has the greatest intentions and loves to do charts that are a series. Of course, my intentions are wonderful but I usually fizzle out after the first few months!!!!
Posted by: Lois | April 22, 2011 at 03:39 AM
Lois--I do the very same thing. I'm just happy when I get a little oomph back and am able to pick up where I left off! I may have to start a new one of these this weekend...!
Posted by: Danielle | April 22, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Oh Danielle, I love this project so much. What a great idea to finish each of the pieces in a different way. You have been doing this fantastically. Looking forward to seeing the next finishes and finishings.
Posted by: Brigitte | April 29, 2011 at 04:13 AM
Wow - I love all your different finishing techniques - they all look beautiful! Congratulations!
Posted by: Susan | April 29, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Congratulations on your Prairie Year finishes! I too would like to stitch those two leaflets, but I have never managed more than two or three months! I am very inspired by this post!
Posted by: michele | July 03, 2011 at 07:05 AM