Did you get your shapes stitched to your base this week? Today will be embellishing the leaves and pumpkins to add detail and shine. To begin, mark two curved lines on the pumpkin shapes to enhance the illusion of roundness. Mark vein lines on the leaves. I use a yellow chalk for marking as it brushes off easily.
Stitch the lines in a complementary color with 2 strands of floss, using a backstitch. Don’t worry about how it looks on the back, it won’t show in the finished piece.
Do the leaf veins in the same manner.
Dig out your seed beads and choose some to add a bit of shine. Buttons and other embellishments can be used too. Auditioning several things, I chose gold seed beads and green buttons.
The container of gold seed beads is pretty full, and I didn’t want to take the chance of spilling them on the floor.
So, using the lid, I put five or six beads in the lid and stitch those, then reload with a few more.
Bringing up the floss from the backside, use two strands of matching color floss. I started with just one strand and had to stitch each one twice, so I switched to doubling the floss.
Sew five seed beads on only the left detail line on the pumpkins, spacing them out. I think putting the beads on only one side will enhance the feeling of three dimensional light on one side. But, you could put them on both lines if you like.
Then sew five or seven seed beads on the leaf main vein. Using odd numbers is more pleasing to the eye.
One last detail, I wanted to add some small buttons in an evergreen color. Trying to match the green was a bit of a challenge. None of them were an exact match, so I just picked the one that looked the closest.
Place one button between the appliques about a half inch from the edge. Don’t worry if they aren’t all exactly the same distance apart or the same distance from the edge. A bit of variation just adds to the charm of handwork.
Stitch each one with double strands of matching floss. I used an X pattern, but you can use an = pattern if you like. Doesn’t matter, just do what pleases you.
All done for this week’s steps.
Next week, we will finish the piece so it is ready to give as a gift or use with a candle or other autumn item. Update – Click HERE for finishing.
Today’s giveaway will be a pair of Karen Kay Buckley’s Perfect Scissors. You will get to choose the size you want, visit the Perfect Scissors website to see all the options or to order from Karen directly. Or, get the 4-inch ones at this Amazon link, and if you win you can get another size to complete your set. Karen Kay Buckley 4-Inch Perfect Scissors.
Rafflecopter Giveaway Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Scissors Click Here!!
Good luck in the drawing. What size Perfect Scissors would you like to win?
From My Carolina Home 
I have not seen those scissors before. I watched her demo. I hope to get some at the Houston quilt festival.
Love your beading & button accents! When it comes to applique, precision cutting scissors are certainly a must! Thank you, Susan
I have recently begun my first larger applique project. I think precision scissors would have made cutting some of the more involved shapes easier.
I’ve never seen these scissors before, but I’m always interested in learning about new and improved items.
I haven’t got to start the fall candle mat yet because I’m dealing with a new puppy, but I really want to get caught up this week. I really like Karen Kay Buckley’s scissors. My friend has a pair and I’ve used them. I think I need my own pair!
I set my pumpkins on black and did I mention this is my first wool applique? I have not posted pics, still on extended blog break, but I will share with you soon!
I could use precision cutting scissors for many projects. These look to be really high quality scissors 🙂
The 4 inch looks like it would be the best for this type of applique.
I’d love to win the small, 4″ size, to make cutting appliques quicker and easier. :o)
I have the little 4 inch scissors so would want the 6 inch or the 7.5 inch – love your wool applique
I like the 7.5″ scissors.
I’d love some small very sharp scissors. I often find it frustrating cutting out small shapes for applique. These scissors look like just the thing to solve that problem. Thanks for all the wonderful tutorial photos.
I would love a pair of these scissors. Thanks
I think the 4 inch scissors would be ideal
Love the sew along! Wishing for the 6″ pair of scissors❤️
I do use precision scissors because of the great results you get when cutting applique pieces. If I am going to spend all that money on wool for applique I want it to look good after I cut it out.
I would love to have a pair of precision scissors. Saw them at PIQF this weekend and they looked awesome! Thanks for sharing the great giveaway.
I have the 7.5 inch Karen Kay Buckley scissors (bought on your recommendation) and the small curved scissors—and they are wonderful! I’d love to win the 4 inch pair. The candle mat is so cute. I’ll admit I’ve never worked with seed beads but it adds so much to the little mat I think I’ll get some, bite the bullet and try to embellish with them. Thank you for all these great Autumn Jubilee projects.
I most certainly do need precision scissors! tried a pair once, what a difference!!
I have a pair and love them. Still looking for wool so i can start this project. Wool is not popular in my local (Texas) quilt shops. Thanks
I like the 4 inch scissors- perfect for cutting those small pieces of wool. Thanks for the chance to win a pair!
Would love any size of those scissors! They look really useful! Your wool project is fun! I just got mine from last year out. I really enjoyed making it!
I do need precision scissors. I want to try some new appliqué pictures that need me to cut out all sorts of flowers.
I think i would like persission scissors. Do i need them? I’m not sure. I’ll know that answer after i try them.
There is nothing like a cute fall project. And yours in wool is just adorable. The embellishments really add personality! For me I like all her notions. But if I had to choose, it would be the 6 inch scissors.
Would really love the whole set, but if I have to chose only one it would probably be the medium 6 inch size. Thanks for a chance to win such lovely prizes this month.
Thank you for conducting this fall wool stitching. I hope you do more.
Who wouldn’t need them? Of course! They’d be perfect to add to my applique tool box.
Hi Carole,
Those buttons and seed beads really make the project, I think. Without them it was missing that special umph. I really like this! ~smile~ Roseanne
SOOO cute Carole!!! LOVE it!
Jenna
Presision Scissors would be great to have when doing applique. Am not doing this project, but Love watching it unfold.
I never seen serrated scissors before. These would be great to have for fussy cutting. Thanks for sharing.
Karen Kay Buckley scissors are supposed to be one of the best! I would love to own a pair. Thanks for the opportunity to win them.
I have never heard of Karen Kay scissors before, but will definitely look for them in the future. Love you wool applique – I haven’t tired it yet, but every time I see one of your beautifully done candle mats, I get more and more tempted.!
Hello Carole; I would love to own the entire set of these scissors, but starting with the 6 inch size would be my choice. I have been trying to find a certain pattern for my Dad and I just can not seem to, yet I keep loving your Candle Mat more and more. So, I do think I am going to find the pattern page and get started. I do not have wool, but have felt or whatever…do you mind me using something besides wool? Once I hear from you then I will get started. Have a great day!
Carole, already I can not remember what the exact question was I am supposed to answer. Taking a guess here, because when I go back to the Rafflecopter it will not let me see already checked answers. I would like to own these scissors, in this 6 inch size, because I do so many different types of techniques with applique and also I do hand embroidery that I feel this size would be the best to begin with and see if I really do like them.
Use whatever fabric you like. The pattern is designed for felted fabrics so you use the raw edge and don’t have to needleturn.
Love the wool work. Good job!
Wool is just beginning to seriously enter my life in the stitching time – and a good sharp scissors would certainly make life easier! Love your fall tabletopper.
I found some wool on Etsy and bought a few sheep 🙂 Do you use regular DMC Floss or wool floss? Also, did you use a stabilizer or fusible on the back of your leaf and pumpkins? thanks!
Regular floss. No stabilizer under the individual applique leaves and pumpkins.
Thanks so much!
A pair of 7 1/2″ Karen Buckley scissors would complete my set. Her scissors cut every type of fabric I have used them on. I am a bit behind but I cut my fabric for the Autumn Jubilee table topper project last night.
I haven’t stitched in wool yet, but have used a lot of felt. I think it would feel somewhat the same way.
I do need precision scissors! I have the 4 in scissors for applique, and would love the 6 in! Thanks
I have the 6 inch scissors and they are great–would like to try the curved ones.
barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
This looks lovely! Love the use of the beads on the leaves. I need some precision scissors for some felting I want to do. Carla from Utah
Whenever I do applique I realize how much I need some good little scissors.
Love this project. I’m going to try this – I’ve never done applique before. 🙂