Friendship Blooms

A friendship sampler perfect for "Round Robin" or group stitching...includes finishing instructions for three types of ornaments/fobs.

Stitch counts:

Sampler – 143 H x 143 W
Each square in the border - 27 H x 27 W 

Models are stitched on 40-count Straw hand-dyed fabric from Weeks Dye Works.

Models are stitched with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss (DMC equivalents provided) - you will need one skein of each color listed to stitch the sampler and a handful of ornaments/fobs using 40-count linen:

Weeks Dye Works Cotton Floss (DMC):
Charlotte's Pink (3688)
Curry (3820) 
Daylily(3854) 
Dutch Iris (794)
Garnet (815) 
Graphite (318)
Hazelnut (434)
Holly (500) 
Hunter (367)
Iris (3041) 
Michael's Navy (823)
Molasses (3371)
Snowflake (B5200) 

Floss estimation is for stitching the sampler and smalls shown as directed (one strand of floss over-two linen threads) on 40-count linen. DMC equivalents are only approximate, as there are no exact equivalents for hand over-dyed floss. For best results, I suggest using the Weeks Dye Works cotton floss.

Package contains charting for the sampler and smalls, stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, complete finishing instructions for three styles of ornaments (backed with linen, backed with wool or cotton fabric, using finishing forms), alternate verse charting, and an alphabet/numbers with personalization area.

I encourage you to use floss and fabric colors that match your personality and style.

Stitches (diagrams for all stitches are provided):

Cross Stitch over-two linen threads
Cross Stitch over-one linen thread (alternate charting provided)
Satin Stitch 
Back Stitch

*NOTE*: The verse and initials/year on the sampler are stitched in Cross Stitch over-one linen thread - for those who shy away from over-one work, I have provided an alternate verse and alphabet/numbers charted in Back Stitch.

Finishing Supplies for smalls:

• Coordinating cotton or wool fabric (fabric backed ornaments/finishing form ornaments)
  Fiberfill, cotton balls, or your choice of "stuffing" (pillow ornaments)
  Fusible lightweight interfacing (finishing form ornaments)
  Flying Needles Finishing Form Set: 2" square (finishing form ornaments)
  DMC 6-strand embroidery floss in coordinating color(s) for twisted cord (all ornaments)
  Kreinik Custom Corder (mini drill for making twisted cord)
  Basic sewing/stitching supplies, ruler, and iron - sewing machine is optional

This design is perfect for stitching with a group of friends as a "Round Robin" - each of your friends can stitch their favorite block(s).

 There are many other fun finishing ideas that can be taken from this design - a row of three or four squares would make a great bookmark...or you could easily make a needlebook or floss ring tag using the border squares...each border square would make great magnet for a friend...or make a fun pinkeep or pincube...endless creative possibilities!