Create an Autumn embroidery hoop using fishbone stitch

I love all the Autumnal colours that start to appear at this time of year. I decided to create an Autumn themed embroidery hoop using Fishbone Stitch to represent falling leaves.

Fishbone Stitch is great for creating leaves or feathers. There are lots of tutorials on the internet, I suggest searching youtube for a video to help give you a visual step-by-step guide. If you've never tried this stitch before, practise on some scrap fabric first. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I did...I fell in love with Fishbone Stitch.

I started this hoop by using pencil to sketch onto linen fabric a number of teardrop shapes. These will make up the falling leaves pattern. When stitching Fishbone, I like to also draw a central line down the middle of the teardrop to help guide me. I find this central line helps me to create a neater shape.

I drew 12 teardrop shapes in various sizes, but you could add more or less depending on your hoop size. I then selected a number of threads in Autumnal shades, such as mustard yellow, crimson red, warm orange and russet brown. I could then begin to create the Fishbone Stitch.

I found this was the sort of project I could dip into now and again, adding a leaf or two in the evening once my daughter had gone to bed. Once the Fishbone stage was complete, I added two small backstitches in dark brown thread at the base of each teardrop to create a leaf stalk effect.

What do you think?I am really pleased with the way it has turned out.
I've had a great response & lots of lovely comments on this piece over on my Instagram feed...
I think it is a simple but effective hoop to create on these darker evenings.

– And finally, if you would like to follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, you’re more than welcome!

My Pouch Vintage Etsy shop is now open for business

My Pouch Vintage Etsy shop has now reopened!
In my online shop, you will find handmade homewares, vintage fabric and trims
Pouch Vintage has temporarily been closed whilst I studied a supporting teaching college course.
I've always loved having an online shop and have been running my business on Etsy since 2007.
I also love making items for my shop, so I've started to stitch again.
There is a fresh batch of Lavender Rabbits and Lavender Owls now listed.

I have been making these little guys since 2009. They have always been one of my bests sellers.
I have sent them to new homes all around the United Kingdom...and across the globe to Australia, the USA and Japan, to name a few.
New vintage fabric colourways will be listed as and when I complete them.
Each owl and rabbit is handmade by me using vintage fabric and filled with dried lavender.

Alongside my handmade homewares, I sell a wide range of vintage trims.
Perfect for adding a retro twist to your next crafting project.
If you're looking for inspiration, then you might like to read my blog post: "15 creative ideas for using vintage trims, ribbons, fabric scraps and haberdashery items"

If you have any questions about the items in my online shop, please don't hesitate to contact me...I am always happy to help.

And finally, if you would like to follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, I would love to connect with you there :)

Join our Instagram crafting community in October

I can't believe how quickly September flew by. We're into a new month, which means time to introduce October's hashtag. If you post crafty photos on Instagram, we'd love to see them in our gallery. Simply add the #craftingismytherapy_october hashtag to join in. We will feature a selection of photos throughout the month. Also look out for our round-up at the end of the month.

Looking back to the previous month, September's gallery was full to the brim with goregous projects. A big 'thank you' to everyone who used the #craftingismytherapy_september hashtag. Below is a grid featuring just a small selection of the creatives makes tagged last month. Aren't they amazing? Head over to September's gallery to see all the makers who got involved.

Top row, left to right: @claregetscrafty, @themessybrunette, @ella_makes

Middle row, left to right: @annehaakt, @forthejoyofcraft, @zeensandroger

Bottom row, left to right: @thisgeeklove, @tangleandstitch, @jellybean_junction

I know lots of you have beautiful Instagram accounts and I love the supportive nature of the creative community over there. Please feel free to tag as many crafty images with #craftingismytherapy_october throughout the month. At the end of the month, Jennifer and I will choose our favourite images and put together a round-up post over on Instagram. You can find my Instagram here

The focus of our hashtag is crafting for pleasure, basically taking some ‘me-time’ to unwind in our busy lives. It doesn’t have to be a finished project, we love seeing work in progress, planning posts or tutorials too.

– Please share the love and comment on other people’s images added to the gallery.
– If you share your images and use the hashtag #craftingismytherapy_october on any social media channels that would be great. This will help us to grow the community. We will retweet all your posts via Twitter if you mention us (@pouchvintage/@JenniferJain )
– And finally, if you would like to follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, you’re more than welcome!
Jennifer Jain’s links are here too: Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.