*NEW* Summertime Coverlet

Inspired once again, by the graphic appeal of woven antique coverlets from the beginning of the 1800’s, meet my newest design!

I pulled the various elements of this pattern from different antique coverlets, combining them in my own way. The included chart only has one row of the flower rosettes, but I chose to stitch the model with another repeat, in tribute to the central portion of most antique coverlets which held repeating patterns. I was tempted to take the pattern up for one more repeat, but got a little tired of only stitching with blue, and felt that I had probably done enough.

I chose the name “Summertime Coverlet” not just because of the nature of the motifs, which remind me of sunny days, but also because in my imagination, most middle and upper class households back in the day had heavy quilts in the winter time, but reserved their lighter coverlets for summer use. I don’t know if this is actually how it worked, but if I was a weaver and designing a light summer cover for my own bed, I would fill it with frolicking animals and flower bouquets.

Stitch count: 165 x 310.
Stitched with one thread over two on R&R Reproductions’ 35ct. Old Mill Java.

Using thread from The Gentle Art: 7055 Uniform Blue (4 skeins).

Frame by Valley House Primitives.

Full alphabet and number set included so that you can customize it with your own initials and date.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

21 Reasons to Follow Me on Instagram

Reason 1: I've been so busy in my daily life that this blog is getting neglected. I have no plans to let blogging go, but if you want a little more steady stream of peeks into my life, then you'll find my Instagram feed to be much more consistent. Photos are all taken by my phone (MotoX), so don't expect the same clarity you see from my Canon. You can find me here.

Reasons 2-21 (all taken from my Instagram feed over the past month):

Old House (Lasting as Eternity) :: Coffee Date :: Just Dandy :: Future Heartbreaker :: Old Flowers (from my collection) :: Shining Through :: Gluten-Free Vegan Banana Bread that Doesn't Suck :: On and On :: Tattered (Scottish Band Sampler) :: Onward and Upward :: Sunroof Weather :: Microcosm :: I would like to Hide Under There :: Sweet from the Sweet :: Coming Soon :: Supper's Ready :: Old Heart (Sarah's Companion) :: Make a Wish :: In the Greenhouse :: Old Pincushions (from my collection)

Marching On

And just like that, March ended. So fast, so soon. I'm barely keeping up with the days, barely keeping on top of the things that need to be done. School, housekeeping, grocery shopping, laundry, designing, homework, music lessons, stitching (the fun part!)... you know how it goes. I am counting down the days until Summer break. I imagine the days being lazy and relaxed. We'll see how that one pans out.

In the meantime, here are the last images from our March...

:: Hail ::

:: Last Light ::

:: Never Too Old for Pooh Bear ::

:: Lavender-y ::

:: Cooper's Hawk ::

:: Coming Soon ::

:: The Lady Hummers Have Returned ::

:: Inside, Outside ::

:: Seed Ordering is Fun ::

:: Dance Party in Heaven ::

:: The Best Way to Re-Use ::

:: This is Spring ::

:: Rain Dance ::

:: They Were All on His Bathroom Vanity ::

:: Tiny Bubbles ::

:: Sometimes in the Morning ::

:: Drip ::

:: This is Oregon ::

:: Somebody Has Been Snacking ::

:: Double Catnap ::

:: Grandma Cuddles are the Best ::

:: Through the Iris ::

:: Robin Hunting Grounds ::

:: I Like Red Umbrellas ::

:: Well Worn ::

:: A Perfect Sky ::

:: That's Not a Clothespin ::

:: Flowering Currant ::