Each year I try to come up with a different theme for the daily Birthday Freebies. As well as being unique, the design elements need to be versatile and perhaps incorporate a new technique. This year I wanted to go very traditional so I have based the elements of these designs on what I would call a French linen theme that consists of motifs, clusters of grapes, leaves and flowers in muted colours. I have chosen two of my favourite pale threads, Sulky Rayon 1508 putty and 1074, pale powder blue for my stitch outs.

Having visited many beautiful Chateau in the Loire valley, France, enjoying the styles that come out of that era, I have created delicate vines, buds and tiny leaves, along with stylized flowers and grapes. I have also found inspiration from some of the quilting fabrics I have collected over time. I prefer these to the more modern designs.

Along with the usual designs I have decided to have an alphabet alongside them which features some of the tendrils and buds, so will find you get more than one FREEBIE each day. As I love to see what combinations I can create with small designs, I also thought it would be fun to create some combos for you all, although as the main designs get larger I don’t think I will be able to group them around the letters without going too large! 

These days I do not restrict my freebie designs to the 100mm by 100mm (4” x 4”) hoop as was the practise in the past, but I am aware that not everybody has the huge hoops that are available now, so I will try not to get carried away. So if I do create a very large combo I will try to split it for those with smaller hoops. These type of designs being open are much easier to split.

Although I probably will not be showing you any special machine embroidery techniques these time around, I will be looking at design placement and how small designs can work together to form a larger embroidery. There is more to this than just random placement. I hope to share this in my software as well as in the hoop at my machine!

Do experiment with colour. Try another delicate palette. I don’t think these designs lend themselves to primary or bold colours, so I sugges you avoid those. Here is my stitch out of one of the combinations, done off white thread. Notice how the knots that form the grapes stand up above the fabric.

As the designs are released you will see a few other characteristics emerging. In time these designs will be part of a whole collection at Graceful Embroidery, so I am looking for a suitable name perhaps in French. Please let me know your ideas after a week or so of collecting the designs.

I anticipate that there will be over 60 FREEBIES to collect, including some unique ones on the last day when we have our GRAND FINALE. If you would like to download ALL the 18th Birthday Event FREEBIES, please create an account at Graceful Embroidery (please make sure you add all your details including your full address) and them apply to join the NEW Graceful embroidery Society by clicking on the image below.

During our Birthday event you can also take advantage of our 75% off GRAND SALE which lasts intil November 3rd.

Happy embroidering from Hazel

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