A finished blanket!
It is finished! I have to say, there was a certain degree of relief knowing the mountain of French knots had finally come to an end! And when I say ‘finished’, that isn’t entirely correct, as it still needs to be backed. But the embroidery is done. I’m not overly confident at the sewing machine, and since I have another baby blanket to make up (one which will be much quicker), I’ve decided to do them both at the same time.
After putting in the last few French knots and one more happy face, a decision needed to be made on the ‘garden’ or ‘field’ these little guys are sitting in. After looking at them all completed, I decided on a whimsical, very simple approach – nothing fancy. A few lazy daisies in some different colours, and some very simple ‘tuffs’ of grass.
And the final touches were a few little bees buzzing overhead. I finished these off with a bullion knot for their body, with a couple of straight stitches for the stripes, long armed French knots for the antennas, and a couple of chain stitches for their wings. I was going to get all complicated and change the colour of the wings, but I decided the one colour for all these parts of the bees would be fine!
To decide if I should or shouldn’t put a stem stitch border around the whole blanket, I got my backing ‘sheep fabric’ out, and laid it all out with a (very) rough overlay of the fabric. And the decision was made that I didn’t need to do a border – it had enough going on.
And there we have it, three cute little sheep in a sweet garden!
53 thoughts on “Sheep Baby Blanket update – and a finish!”
So lovely, french knots are fiddly but the result is amazing.
Thanks Cathy. I quite like stitching French Knots, which in this project was a good thing!
Once again you have impressed me. Well Done!!!
Thanks Kathleen, that is very sweet of you!
I am always impressed by your work. Well done!
Yaaaay! A finish! I’m so excited for you. It looks wonderful. A brilliant choice for the little flowers, so effective. Well done!
Thanks Steph ? I’m quite happy with how it has all turned out!
What a wonderfully happy family you have created there!
Thanks Rachel, I’m quite happy with how they have turned out!
well done! and what a gorgeous pastural embroidery ^^
Thanks Claire- I’m glad I stuck with simple!
These sheep are too cute! There are a lot of French Knots, but they are perfect! Great job!!
Thanks Bella. They gave a great effect!
What a fabulous finished blanket for some lucky baby… The meadow of flowers is super-sweet!
Thanks Kate. I thought the flowers finished it off better than expected!
I love the meadow you created with the bit of color, and the bees are the perfect finish. HAppy little lambs, they are. A great finish on the hand work!
Thanks Kathy. I liked my little bees and was thinking about adding in a butterfly too, except I thought that might be too much!
Congratulations on a cute finish. Can’t wait to see the next project.
Thanks Cindy.
Wow they are so cute! You did a great job. Bet it feels great to have the French knots done ?. Looking forward to seeing your next project
Thanks Linda – definitely some relief felt when the last lamb was finished!
It’s a great finish and I’m glad you kept the background nice and simple. I love those busy little bees.
Thanks Avis. I didn’t want to detract from the main event too much!
Seriously cute and the scattering of flowers is a perfect finishing touch!
Thanks Alex. I was pleasantly surprised when it all came together!
This looks fabulous, the little flowers and bees really set it off nicely, and the few extra styles of stitches and colours add a little more interest to the ‘scene’.
Thanks Ann – French knot flowers really would have been a bit much I think!
A stunning finish Catherine and one very lucky baby who will be snuggled up in this lovely blanket.
I love elephants so I am looking forward to your next project.
Thanks Helen, I admit that it has definitely turned out better than expected and I’m glad I popped in the little field of flowers!
I too love elephants- this one is quite elaborately decorated so far!
Congrats on a lovely finish. The field of flowers is the perfect touch and looks gorgeous.
Thanks Carole. I’m pleased with it, I think it suits them well!
This really looks like a labour of love, and the little bees are so cute!
Thank you! It has certainly taken a long time to get to the finish line! But I’m glad I persevered, it has turned out to be a very cute little blanket!
It’s adorable! Kudos on the finish! I hope the blanket assembly process goes smoothly for you so you can send this out the door completely proud and satisfied with your work.
Thanks Sue! I’m really pleased with how it all came together in the end!
Very cute, love their garden too!
Thanks Margaret ? simple and sweet
The whole embroidery is so cute! Looking forward to see the elephant!!!
Thanks Gun. It is a lot cuter than I had thought it would be!
Congrats on finishing your sheep!
Thanks Dima ?
Congrats on the finish! It is adorable!!! All of those french knots! That is a lot of work. Great job!
Thanks Ginny. I don’t want to know how many French knots I’ve stitched!
Gorgeous! So cute, love it! You’ve done a marvellous job
Thanks Bella. They are the type of sheep you want to stroke all the time!
Congratulations, it looks amazing! Thank you for sharing the finished piece at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
I’m very happy with how they all turned out!
An awesome baby blanket, Catherine. I find *simple* hand stitching therapeutic, but give me a sewing machine any day. Your embroidery is beautiful.
Thanks Pam. Sewing machines and I aren’t the best of friends. I’m the opposite to you!
They have ended up just beautifully. i think the ‘extras’ you added are just perfect.
Thanks Julie. They are quite sweet!
Oh my goodness, the sheep turned out soooo cute. I think you made the right decision by adding the simple flowers and the bees. The whole effect is just the right touch of whimsy.
Pinning this to my Embroidery Patterns and Inspirations Pinterest board.
Thanks for much for linking up to last week’s Stitchery Link Party. Aloha hugs.
Thanks so much Sue, I’m honoured!
I’m very pleased with how it all turned out ?