Today, I hope you will enjoy a review of some previous projects and ideas, mainly involving handwork. I enjoy doing embroidery by hand, and working with wool fabrics. These projects are easy and finish quickly with no raw edges to mess with. Read on for a fabulous giveaway today!!
Wool projects seem to have more appeal in the fall. I do more pillows in wool than other projects. For the Cornucopia Pillow wool work project, you’ll need a 12-inch square of wool in a base color, and scraps of fall inspired colors for the fruits and vegetables. The design will do well on a larger base if you prefer, and a 16-inch would work well for a pillow. The pattern download is here – Wool Stitch Along Cornucopia Templates. I’ve given you several fruits and vegetables, and you can make your own choices as to which and how many to use. If you want a larger wall hanging, just start with a bigger base and cut 2-3 of each item to go in the cornucopia. I used two of the apples and pears, and one of everything else on mine. See the beginning tutorial on my post Wool Stitch Along Cornucopia Pillow, then click HERE for part two detail stitching, and HERE for finishing. I have to tell you, this is my favorite pillow of all the ones I’ve stitched.
Last year, I discovered the joy of using my embroidery machine to put motifs on wool projects. This opened up a whole new avenue to explore. See the full tutorial on how to make these embroidered wool bowl fillers on my post Bonus Projects.
Wool roving is used to make acorns with acorn caps found in our driveway and back yard. The full tutorial is from a previous Autumn Jubilee. Click on Another Fun Project.
If you’ve ever wanted to felt your own wool, perhaps from wool clothing found at thrift stores, THIS POST will show you how I do it.
Penny rugs are quick and easy projects, great for embellishing with seed beads. My first free pattern was an autumn leaf design – click on Wool-Penny-Rug-Templates to download the pdf. See my post Sunday Stitch Along for a full tutorial. Adding buttons for embellishment is a fun way to use some of my extensive collection.
To see more, just use the Wool Work Projects category on the sidebar. Click on Wool Work Books to see the new ideas at C&T Publishing.
Have you ever tried Sashiko? I got an ebook of Sashiko + Color; 23 Bright & Stylish Accessories to Stitch so now I have more designs to play with. The book has lots of ideas, and I think my stash of pearle cottons will work great for bringing some color to the projects. C&T Publishing has several great books with Sashiko Stencils and Ideas.
Today’s giveaway sponsor, C&T Publishing, will award a $100 gift certificate for their online bookstore! With the variety of subjects in their publications, there’s something for everyone to make a project, learn a new skill or try a new idea. From wool projects to quilting, sashiko and embroidery, jewelry making to woodworking, painting to leather crafts, there’s a new book for you to expand your creativity. Or maybe you’d like a cozy mystery with a quilting theme to read on cold nights, see their Fiction Section. Please visit C&T Publishing, and see the Best Sellers and check out the Gifts and Games section, along with C&T’s Sale Books, too!
What book or gift would be on your Christmas List this year?
From My Carolina Home 
Ooh, I would love to have Home for the Holidays quilt book. I also liked quite a few fiction books, which I didn’t even realize they carried.
Wow. I love the felt embroidery idea, These would make great pincushions!! I love to have books on hand for reference. Anything related to quilting – pieced, modern, art , borders, panels, etc. Thanks!!
My bad – I still need to finish last year’s penny rug. Fortunately, fabric projects have no expiration date, they wait patiently in my work basket hoping I’ll grow tired of knitting that afghan. I can’t decide which of today’s projects I love the most; close tie between the acorns & the machine embroidered leaves. For the first time in weeks I have a day with no outside commitments. I might accomplish (finish) something.
Cute acorns! I’m hoping to do some of them soon.
I would enjoy any of the Foolproof Embroidery books.
So many great ideas today, thanks Carole. On my list would be Kaffe Fassett’s Fabulous Florals Eco Pouch
I’ve always admired your wool work. I’ve yet to give it a try. Those little acorns are so sweet. Love the sashiko bag too. I did a table topper sampler in sashiko that was so fun.
I love the acorns! I’ve made several wool penny rugs and enjoy doing the hand stitching. Thanks for all the ideas!
That was a nice stroll down memory lane with so much wonderful eye candy. Your creativity is inspiring. Looking at the publisher’s website, I was captured by the book, Sew a Winter Woodland Christmas.
Connie W.
I really love hand sewing and have done a lot over the years. I have a beautiful fall pumpkin penny rug that comes out every year. This post encourages me to buy some wool and start a new wool project for these cool nights that are in our future. I love the pop of color of your cornucopia but since I have a dough bowl, I might be more incline towards those cute little pillows. I have always wanted to try the Quilt Builder Card Deck series so I think one of these would be on my Christmas list this year.
I would really love to try Sashiko, so I’d order that Pocket Guide to Sashiko. Love your wool projects, too. Learning how to make my own felted wool from thrift store purchases is such a great idea. Thanks for the link to that post!
Hi Carole – I love wool applique however I am not the greatest at hand
stitching. I am trying though and did manage to make some Halloween
ornaments. Hopefully I will get better (and faster) in time. Thanks
for the Cornucopia templates. I looked at the C&T Publishing site and
immediately saw a book on Shibori that I would love. Also saw a book
called Barn Start sampler that looked fun.
The projects you presented this blog post make me drool. The cornucopia pillow is gorgeous. Thank you for putting this together. Books on my wish list are Christa Watson’s How Do I Quilt It. Have watched her videos and she offers great ideas. Saw a publication titled LOVE Flying Geese and I truly do so would love to check that out. And, lastly, Home for the Holidays by Sherri McConnell and Chelsi Stratton. The have the grandest patterns and fabric lines.
Love Kim Diehl, so would love another Simple Whatnots book.
The Barn Star Sampler book has been on my wish list for a while. Or add to my Kim Diehl collection. Thanks for the chance!
basaran (dot) family (at) rogers (dot) com
I haven’t bought a book in years – our library joined with others and we have the entire northern half of Illinois “sharing” books. I even ordered a theater script from our system and it came from South Dakoka (I had to pay $0.75 postage!) (Of course that doesn’t mean that I still don’t have an ENITRE WALL of books in the guest bedroom! Hung up the quilt I made from your pattern a while ago – such fun memories of a quiltalong! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!
Patchwork Braids by Kate Colleran looks like an interesting book. And the C&T gift section has several things that I would enjoy getting for myself or for others.
My choice, Linda Johansen, her Fabric Bowls are so interesting and I would love to read through the pages and try out a pattern or two. C&T always has so much for everyone.
playful Freeform Embroidery would top my list
Thank You For Sharing
“The Ultimate Quilt Finishing Guide” by Harriet Hargrave. She was a master quilter and any and all of her tips are wonderful. It would make a great book for my library.
Angela Walters has a new book out that I would love to have: The Ultimate Guide to Free Motion Quilting.. Thanks for having the giveaway!
I would also like to have The Ultimate Guide to Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters. Thank you Carole and C&T Publishing.
Alexandria
I have been wanting Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery by Sharon Boggon for a long time now.
C&T Publishing has so many wonderful books that would make a crafter’s Christmas brighter! One book I’d like is 3-D Illusion Quilts Simplified by Ruth Ann Barry. I’ve always enjoyed the 3-D quilts and would really enjoy making one!
I do have a bag of wool and some projects, should focus on one or two before Christmas, and this is reminding me! I am really tempted by the book Discover Shibori, I love it and Debbie Maddy’s fabric lines!
A friend had gifted to me some Sashiko thread! I would love to get a book on this and make a few holiday gifts!
I’ve always been fascinated with illusion quilts. I would love to have the 3-D illusion quilts simplified book.
I enjoy reading mysteries that involve quilting or crafting so on my wish list would be the books by Barbara Emodi. They would provide many hours of fun with a little mystery.