Chickenscratch Quilt

Well, my chickenscratch quilt may just be the most unique quilt I've ever made. The blocks were begun back in January 2021, completely hand-stitched with white perle cotton #8 and a handful of (mostly) variegated Aurifil cotton floss. The project itself was the brainchild of Blair Stocker, and she led us through a year-long block-of-the-month called the Snowflake Sampler, snowflake embroidery being one of the many names for this kind of vintage embroidery.

By definition, Chicken scratch embroidery (also known as Broderie Suisse, Australian Cross Stitch, and Depression Lace) is a variation of cross stitch that is traditionally stitched on gingham fabric using perle mercerized cotton thread or stranded embroidery thread. The gingham squares act as stitching guides and help to form a lacy pattern. [source: Quilting Daily]

For my version, I used 1/4" grey Carolina Gingham by Robert Kaufman, and there were three finished block sizes - 10" squares, 10" x 20" rectangles, and 20" squares. Where some folks in the BOM had issues with not really being able to match those gingham squares when piecing the blocks into a top, I thought the mismatched gingham seams added to its charm and reflected the time-period where this kind of stitching was done. In short, I just went with it.

When it came to a quilting plan for this kind of quilt, I really wondered about it for a while, as I knew I didn't want to quilt over my hand-stitched designs. It was Yvonne/@quiltingjetgirl who first gave me the idea to tie it, and right away, I loved that idea.

That process still took some figuring out. First, I clamped my pieced quilt back to my dining table, added a layer of Quilters Dream Cotton Request batting, then the quilt top of course, and pin-basted it everywhere I intended to place a tie. I had initially thought I would pin and tie evenly every 6", but decided that really did conflict too much with my stitching. Considering the batting recommended a maximum of 8" between quilting, I used that as a guide instead, pinning along seamlines, then uniquely in each block to stabilize but not interfere. 136 pins later, I was ready to tie!

The fun thing about Yvonne's idea to tie the quilt was that she suggested tying so the knots were on the back. That's the part that really sold me. But that did indeed mean that I needed to begin each knot on the back! I used my 12" wooden hoop to secure one area at a time. Then I basically pushed my needle in using a safety pin for placement guidance, removed the pin, and completed the stitch, going through the quilt sandwich twice, then typing a square knot, securing tightly. Once all the ties - all made with size 8 perle cotton - were done, I trimmed their tails to 1/2" long.

The quilt finished at 60" square, bound with more grey gingham. So loosely 'quilted', and with the lightweight batting and hand of the gingham itself, I ended up with a super comfy cozy quilt. Loosely quilted quilts are not my norm, so I'm wondering if I should add more ties. Then again, it's unique in every other way, so why not?  

And yeah, nothing about this project has photographed well. The stitching is colorful and beautiful, and despite all the wrinkled-looking photos, it is really sweet and lovely in person. Let's just say I'm glad I took the time to explore chickenscratch, and though I couldn't quite imagine a quilt made from my blocks, I'm glad I saw it to a finish just to see how it would turn out. Definitely worth the year of handwork!

Snowflake Sampler :: 3 Star Flowers + 3 Posies

Whew. It was really close whether or not I'd finish this month's Snowflake Sampler blocks before month's end, but I made it! There were two 11" x 21" blocks. The Star Flowers were exactly that, composed of plenty of snowflake and star stitches, weaving, and then finished off with backstitched stems. I really enjoyed that there was a good mix of stitches intermingled for this block, as it definitely made me feel like I've learned something about chickenscratch embroidery this last year.

Then I especially enjoyed stitching the Posies block, though I did run out of my primary colored thread, and luckily had a different but contrasting variegated thread that let me finish in a way that looks cohesive.

So, just one more block to stitch in January, and then it'll be time to piece a quilt top!

X and O Star   +   Tiny Snowflakes   +   Lacy Flowers

Large Snowflake   +   Woven Star   +   Pearvocado

Classic Star   +   Simple Woven Flower

Favorite Coffee Mug   +   Small Classic Star

Five Diamonds + Flowers with Borders

Flower Pot + L'Orange + Lacy Star

Snowflake Sampler :: Flower Pot

Right off, I'll admit that this month's Snowflake Sampler block was supposed to be a coffee pot, but I decided to change it up a bit and instead, made a "Flower Pot." I kept the block size the same - 21" x 21", and used the same stitches, just altering the design into a diamond.

That way, I actually was able to place five flowers in the center, rather than the originally intended three, and I liked that.

I feel just a little naughty for forgoing the proposed design, but I think this will suit my desired finished project better. Plus, it was fun to kind of make things my own.

Snowflake Sampler :: Five Diamonds + Flowers with Borders

September saw two new blocks in the Snowflake Sampler block-of-the-month. First up was Five Diamonds, 11" x 21".

The "oval" weaving was especially enjoyable. And then on to the next block, Flowers with Borders, which was also 11" x 21", and boy did the variegated floss do its thing on this one. 

I think the scale of the stitches was part of it, but this just may be one of my favorite blocks yet. Also, there were four different stitches, which kept things very interesting from the beginning stitch to the last.

In case you missed my previous blocks, here they are!

X and O Star   +   Tiny Snowflakes   +   Lacy Flowers

Large Snowflake   +   Woven Star   +   Pearvocado

Classic Star   +   Simple Woven Flower

Favorite Coffee Mug   +   Small Classic Star

Snowflake Sampler :: Simple Woven Flower

Another block in the Snowflake Sampler block-of-the-month, this month's design was easy to follow once I got comfortable with it. I may not have ever actually said this, but for each block, it's up to the maker to mark the gingham squares with the stitching design, at least the foundational stitches. I've been using a Frixion pen to make a tiny dot in each square that needs a stitch, per Blair's suggestion. The dots are usually covered by my stitching, but I also press the block once I'm done, which has taken the dots completely away. I don't usually use these pens for marking on the right side of a fabric project, but it seems just fine for this particular use.

Again, most of the work on this block consisted of star stitches, so by the time they were complete, the variegated weaving was a treat for sure. Once trimmed, this block will measure 10" x 20".

In case you missed my previous blocks, here they are!

X and O Star   +   Tiny Snowflakes   +   Lacy Flowers

Large Snowflake   +   Woven Star   +   Pearvocado

Classic Star

Snowflake Sampler :: The Classic Star

At 21", this month's Snowflake Sampler block was one of the largest, and will be a key focus in my finished chickenscratch embroidery quilt. 

With all the embroidery I've done this last year, I don't think I've ever used up an entire spool of any one color of perle cotton. But in this one block, I used an entire spool of white perle 8 and then some.... stitching over 400 white star stitches.

Even so, this was a really enjoyable block to stitch. I chose to stitch one complete 'point' at a time, to break up the stitch type monotony.

I thought it was about time to share all my blocks together, so you (and I!) could see the size variations. They don't photograph well, but still. I think it all looks very promising!

 

In case you missed my previous blocks, here they are!

X and O Star   +   Tiny Snowflakes   +   Lacy Flowers

Large Snowflake   +   Woven Star   +   Pearvocado

Snowflake Sampler :: Woven Star + Pearvocado

Lucky me, there were TWO new chickenscratch embroidery blocks in the Snowflake Sampler this month! The first, the Woven Star, was plumb full of the white eight-pointed 'stars' used in two of the previous blocks. The weaving felt unique though, and was a pleasure to stitch.

The second block was the Pearvocado, and it's definitely a stand-out among my blocks so far. For one, it was a first for the green floss I chose; then with the weaving, I had to be extra careful with the tension, as afterwards, the woven threads were stitched down with bar stitches. Filling in the shape with three different stitches playing together made things pretty interesting, both to stitch and in the end result.

In case you missed my previous blocks, here they are!

X and O Star   +   Tiny Snowflakes   +   Lacy Flowers

Large Snowflake

Snowflake Sampler :: Large Snowflake

Well, I just finished my latest Snowflake Sampler block, and it's the biggest one so far at 21" square! I used the same variegated blue floss as in the Tiny Snowflakes block due to the snowflake 'theme.' A couple of new stitch designs were included in this block so that added to the enjoyment.

Sadly, I tried several times to get a good photo of my block, and wasn't too successful. But here are a couple of close-ups!

In case you missed my previous blocks, I'll keep a running list as I stitch along:

X and O Star   +   Tiny Snowflakes   +   Lacy Flowers

Snowflake Sampler :: Lacy Flowers

Just finished stitching this month's Snowflake Sampler block! I learned a new stitch - the white ones used throughout the block - many of which supported the weaving that became the 'flowers.' 

I chose my own thread palette for my Snowflake Sampler, and this block shows off my MOST variegated thread. Fortunately I had a nice dark purple in my thread stash from one of those Aurifil mini thread samplers, and I used that for the accent stitches. They're the same double cross-stitch as used in the Tiny Snowflakes block, and like the white stitches, were the foundation for those flowers. For me, the smaller stitches were enjoyable enough, but that weaving and seeing the variegated floss do its magic was the most fun of all.

So here are my three blocks so far. It's hard to see the detail, but I feel good about them and am looking forward to what's next.

In case you missed my previous blocks, I'll keep a running list as I stitch along:

X and O Star   +   Tiny Snowflakes

Snowflake Sampler :: Tiny Snowflakes

Once I had the X and O Star block done for the Snowflake Sampler, I immediately started in on the second block! I was excited to try my hand at the Basic Star Stitch sure, but I was even more anxious to do the subsequent weaving. So far, on both blocks, that has been the most fun for me, I'm sure because it feels new and definitely is a way of stitching I haven't tried before. And obviously it adds so much  to the white 'base' stitching.

This block is also 11" square, though it'll get trimmed up before final quilt assembly. The spool of Aurifloss I used for this block was variegated blue, with a good bit of white in it, so some of the snowflakes look 'frostier' than others. But all's good, and I look forward to the next block being released in a few weeks.

Snowflake Sampler :: X and O Star

After waiting weeks and weeks for the Snowflake Sampler to begin, it's finally started and I have one block finished!! It's my first time using Aurifil Cotton Floss, and it's felt great so far. I'm using a variety of variegated floss paired with #8 white perle cotton, and I've found my size 5 Bohin Embroidery Needles are perfect for this task.

So this is chicken scratch embroidery. The base of X-stitches felt oh-so-familiar; and the weaving with the floss, new and exciting (you know, for handwork). I did make a tiny little goof, as I got so in the groove with the weaving that I didn't leave the center four squares open for the orange weaving per the pattern instruction. Oh well, I added my own little detail and I'm happy enough with the result. The X and O Star block measures 11" square, and I've got one more block assignment yet this month, so I expect I'll be back before long to share it too. I was just too excited to wait!

Snowflake Sampler

One of the most satisfying things about this long stay-home time has been that I've picked up hand-stitching again. With all the Dropcloth Samplers, and Stitch Club, I've been wondering what could/should be next. And then Blair/wisecraft announced this....

At first I didn't know what I was seeing. But after reading Blair's post I was seriously mulling over if this just might be it. I didn't even know that this kind of stitching was called Chicken Scratch Embroidery (AKA Snowflake Embroidery) but it looked vaguely familiar. And it led me to the hooks in the laundry room where I keep my aprons, and lo and behold, look what I found!

That pretty much settled it. This vintage apron was stitched by my husband's paternal grandmother, Caroline, for his mother, Dorothy. I'm pretty sure it was handed down to us after Dorothy passed away. At any rate, I knew at once that I wanted to experience that kind of stittching for myself. So yes, I signed up! And if you are even vaguely interested, go take a look, because you can sign-up at a nice discount until December 17.

So stay tuned! It'll be late January before I actually get to stitching, but I'm looking forward to it!