Kathy Schmitz: PUMPKIN PATCH

When I was a kid, my favorite part of Halloween was watching the Charlie Brown special. Now THAT

will put you in the fright night spirit!

This spooky design, Pumpkin Patch, was designed for my monthly embroidery club One Stitch at a Time.

Members receive a new 6" x 6" design on the first of every month. We also have a monthly prize, an annual contest with prizes, a private FaceBook group, and members are the first to know about upcoming kits and receive occasional coupons and discounts. Members can purchase any of the older designs for the member price - all for only $2 a month!

If a club isn't for you, these designs are also available for purchase individually for $4.00.

They are available on my website for those of you in the US - MONTHLY DESIGNS

If you are outside of the US the designs are available on my Etsy shop -HERE

Interested in joining the monthly club?

Here's more info -

One Stitch at a Time

With this month's design, I wanted to show you an easy way to finish the block. This method comes in handy for finishing all sorts of smaller projects.

Faux Binding

When you finish your embroidery, press it on the backside. Using a nonpermanent marking tool (I like the Pilot FriXion Pen) mark a 6" x 6" square with the design centered. Then draw diagonal lines 1/2" apart for a crosshatch design for the quilting. I didn't quilt through the embroidery, only around it.

Cut a piece of batting larger than the design. I used a piece that was 8" x 8". Using a temporary spray adhesive is a great way to "baste" them together.

Quilt, taking the stitches to the outside line, but not beyond.

Trim the quilted piece to 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" with the design centered.

For the faux "binding" cut 2 pieces 1" x 6 1/2" and 2 pieces 1" x 7 1/2.

You will also need backing fabric - 2 pieces 4 1/2" x 7 1/2"

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the shorter "binding" pieces to the top and bottom and press.

Sew the longer pieces to the sides and press.

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the backing pieces together on the 7 1/2" sides switching to a basting stitch for the center 3". Backstitch before and after the basting stitches.