- Pattern: Stoney Creek Magazine, Winter 2016
- Materials: 18 ct MCG Textiles Anne cloth, DMC
- Size: 5" x 35"
- Time to stitch: 28 days
My first seasonal bell pull is finished! The pattern is fine, with lots of detail, frequent color changes, and a fair amount of backstitching. Though each block is only about 5" square, the stitching is fairly dense and took awhile to finish. All together, this is certainly a BAP. I wish that I had backstitched as I went along, because it took almost 2 hours to backstitch each block- and there are six blocks- at the end. I used all DMC, because I didn't see any noticeable variegation in the Weeks Dye Works that was used in the model (DMC alternates are provided in the chart). I also omitted the button pack because some of the buttons are positioned over the stitching; it seemed unnecessary.
The fabric is an 18 ct Anne cloth Afghan by MCG textiles, 100% acrylic. It is very soft and would make a nice drapery blanket, but it was rather flimsy for stitching. I used a deliberately loose tension lest the stitches "slip". The 18 count weave is rather open and loose. Backstitching, with one thread, was a rather delicate process. I was able to cut the Afghan into 4 bellpulls, so I have enough for all the seasonal bellpulls. Anne cloth is also a available in 100% cotton, by Zweigart, and I suspect that would be a nicer fabric to stitch on.
My favorite parts are the beachy color palette, and cute little details, like the frog, bubbly drink, and motorhomes. I also really enjoyed the DMC 4020 "tropical waters" variegated, that is used in a few spots, like the water swirls in the R block. The blue and aqua colors were so pretty.
It's good to have Summer finished, and I do want to stitch the other 3 seasons eventually, but these are huge projects so hopefully I can clear out some more WIPs before my next start. Which will probably be Autumn or Winter, in the appropriate season.
What a beautiful finish to this piece. I think the "beach" squares are my favorite...although I really do love the whole piece.
Posted by: Andrea | March 15, 2017 at 10:45 AM
Its a lovely bell pull. Congratulations on the finish.
Posted by: Kaelyn Angelfoot | March 15, 2017 at 12:02 PM
Great to get the first one complete! I love the words on each letter.
Posted by: Bekah | March 15, 2017 at 03:50 PM
Great work! The 2nd M is a lovely block. Did you add the affirmations or were they charted and I've just not noticed them before?
Posted by: Joanne P | March 15, 2017 at 03:50 PM
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Dear Jo,
Thanks for your comment. That block is my favorite as well, it was also less fiddly to stitch. The words are charted. Stoney creek has another series of seasonal bell pulls, but the affirmations are religious in the older series.
Happy stitching,
Stephanie
Posted by: Ohsewcrafty | March 15, 2017 at 08:04 PM
Thank you for sharing your bell pull finish. I just love it. I have finally started Autumn and I also had an afghan in my stash (stitching from) I cut to make the bellpull and am adjusting to the tension. I will backstitch as I go.
Posted by: Melinda Forbes | March 19, 2017 at 05:11 PM
Wow this is so nice .Thanks for sharing i just love it
Posted by: minion names | March 21, 2017 at 02:35 AM
I saw this on your flosstube...it is so pretty!! Congratulations on the big finish!
Posted by: Vickie | March 30, 2017 at 12:40 AM
Beautiful finish. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Yanna | June 08, 2017 at 09:25 PM