Hi friends! I am back with another blog tour and this one is very near and dear to my heart. Minki Kim was one of the first people to follow me when I started on Instagram last year; not only follow, but comment and encourage me as a very new maker. I remember the first time I saw her sewing illustrations I could not believe they were done by machine. To me they looked like ink drawings with very tiny, precise hand stitching over them. It boggled my mind to think that these beautiful works of art were done on a home sewing machine. I had the pleasure of trying some of Minki’s patterns earlier this year which you can see HERE and HERE. I have been looking forward to the release of this book all year and to be a part of the blog tour (not to mention along with ALL the super star makers!) is such an honor for me. Ok, enough babbling; lets get to the good stuff!
This beautiful Vignette pattern caught my eye right away, but in more of a “I’ll try that one some day” kind of way. Then after giving it some time and thought, I decided to just go for it. After all, the instructions and writing in this book are amazing! I am convinced Minki and Kristin (Minki’s partner in writing and equal in sweetness) could teach anyone to sew illustrations like a pro.
I pulled my stack (tower?) of Liberty fabrics and used my newest favorites form DuckaDilly Fabrics. It was so fun holding up the templates I had printed onto my Pellon Stick-N-Washaway and choosing just the right colors for each tiny piece. Even my boys got in on the fun of color selections and placements. If you ever enjoyed tracing, drawing, cutting out paper dolls or any other craft as a child, the art of sewing illustration will bring you back to those days. I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to spend a Saturday.
I’ll admit, I did not read ALL of Sew Illustrated, YET. I read just enough for making my pattern and I am saving the rest to read over our Labor Day weekend. This is a very well written book and has a wealth of information, step by step pictures, tips, tricks and ideas for multiple ways to try your own illustrations.
I wanted to make this beautiful design with my own spin on it and what better way than to add my signature Heartstrings! This is pretty much what my work desk looks like most of the time, Liberty mug with coffee, fabrics and threads all over with Liberty Hearts strewn about. Ok, so my actual sewing machine is boring white and I currently have seven stacks of sewing goodness instead of two. So let’s just say this is my sewing desk in an alternate, Liberty of London filled universe!
I used Aurifil 50 weight thread in a deep Navy shade #2745 which I think gives the “picture” an inky look to it. For a bigger piece like this, I started with the larger sections to sew it down, then moved on to the smaller bits. Taking it one small section at a time can take the “overwhelming”feeling you may have out of it.
I love, love, love this tiny “wire basket”! Note to self: buy wire basket to keep Liberty fabrics in… Also, MUST make Capel pin cushion!
As you can see, stitches are not perfect. But they also don’t need to be. This is a super close up picture, the scissors is only about 4 inches and from where I’m sitting looking at it on my wall, it looks pretty perfect. So don’t stress the little imperfections, or mistakes; no one will ever know.
For the miniature Heartstrings I used 12 weight thread to give the “string” a bold look. Minki and Kristin have a section all about stitch length for sewing. I find I work best at a 1.o and 1.5 that way my mistakes are so tiny you can hardly see them anyway!
I turned my Vignette into a mini wall hanging with raw edge Liberty binding, keeping with the whole raw edge theme and saving on precious fabric which for me is a win win!
I also had the thought that any of the pieces from Minki’s designs could be framed in a hoop for a bit of wall art. But…
Perhaps I should have stuck to the patterns a bit more because now I have this girl head button smiling at me from in a “jar”! (Insert horror emoji here and read the whole story of the “girl in the jar” HERE).
So here we have it in my sewing space just above my rather messy desk. See the jam jar pin cushion hanging up there? That is a special giveaway I won last year and it is made by Minki herself!. And yes, the little doll head in the jar is there as well, what can I say; it gives me a good chuckle every time I see it.
I have a whole pile of ideas floating around in my head of sewing illustrations to be made! This book is just full of inspiration and I am happy to say that C T Publishing has offered to give a copy to one of you! Just leave a comment on this post and I will chose a winner on August 31st.
Thank you all for stopping by! Feel free to snoop around and follow along for more fun.
Edit:
Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Mary S.
August 24, 2016 at 9:00 am |
Your little quilt is amazing. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance to win!!
August 24, 2016 at 9:02 am |
I love your vignette. It is so perfect for a sewing area. And I appreciate the encouragement you gave by reminding us the stitches don’t need to be perfect.
August 24, 2016 at 9:11 am |
This may very well be one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen!! So so adorable!! All the fabrics… and the Liberty… those teeny heartstrings… perfection! Well done!
August 24, 2016 at 9:17 am |
Love your take on this, and that you added the heartstrings:)
August 24, 2016 at 9:25 am |
Super adorable! !
August 24, 2016 at 9:37 am |
I love how you took her designs and made them your own. Very sweet and very well done. Thank you for sharing your talents.
August 24, 2016 at 9:48 am |
Beautiful work! Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win this great book.
August 24, 2016 at 9:51 am |
[…] wonderful Faith over at Sarana Ave is taking her turn on the Sew Illustrated blog tour today! Faith is no stranger to sewing […]
August 24, 2016 at 9:58 am |
Faith this is so awesome. I love all the detail of your sewing mat, and using Liberty fabrics makes it so very pretty💞💞
August 24, 2016 at 9:59 am |
It seems so easy!!!
August 24, 2016 at 10:05 am |
Your wall hanging is beautiful!! I love how you added your heartstrings!! Such a pretty touch!!💗💗💗
August 24, 2016 at 10:20 am |
Beautiful work & great post! Thank you for giving me the confidence to try this. I love it!
August 24, 2016 at 10:30 am |
Love your mini! It is gorgeous!!!
August 24, 2016 at 10:43 am |
This looks beautiful, well done. I really want to give it a go, I’m still plucking up the courage!
August 24, 2016 at 10:56 am |
love your projects and your sewing bravery!
August 24, 2016 at 10:58 am |
I love the way you have rearranged the picture and added your own hearts…. As for the head in a jar :o)
August 24, 2016 at 11:09 am |
I love your work! The Liberty sewing machine is my favorite! I am a newbie at blogging too, I hope you will follow me! Also would love the book!!!!
August 24, 2016 at 11:18 am |
Beautiful work!!! You make it sound so easy. I have to give this a try!
August 24, 2016 at 11:26 am |
I love this wall hanging
August 24, 2016 at 12:13 pm |
You did a beautiful job, I love your Liberty sewing machine!
August 24, 2016 at 12:22 pm |
Wow! I have been a fan of Minki’s for a while. I love her work. I love your sewing machine, too. The heart strings are a cute touch.
August 24, 2016 at 12:26 pm |
Love this little quilt and the vignette! Thank you for sharing.
August 24, 2016 at 12:27 pm |
Such a cute picture! And I love the personal touches you added!
August 24, 2016 at 12:33 pm |
Your added touch with the heartstrings is adorable!
August 24, 2016 at 1:00 pm |
Love Love Looove all you made!! What an AWESOME Sewing Machine etc etc picture for your Wall! The Jar is cool…even with the head…giggle…
Thank you for chance to win this Book!! 🙂
August 24, 2016 at 1:15 pm |
Very creative and would love to have a copy of this book!
August 24, 2016 at 1:32 pm |
Great job! love your extra touches
August 24, 2016 at 1:38 pm |
I love seeing all of your beautiful creations! I’m a beginner, but love sewing so much already!
August 24, 2016 at 2:41 pm |
I love the Liberty fabric with the sewing machine! I would love to win this book!!
August 24, 2016 at 2:43 pm |
I love your Liberty sewing machine mini!!! Thank you for the chance to win.
August 24, 2016 at 3:28 pm |
The details especially in your sewing machine are wonderful – love the dark inky blue thread that you chose. Using such a small stitch length is a great tip.
August 24, 2016 at 3:30 pm |
Nice projects thanks for sharing
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
August 24, 2016 at 3:56 pm |
I love your project!
August 24, 2016 at 4:01 pm |
The Liberty fabric is perfect for these projects. Super cute minis.
August 24, 2016 at 4:12 pm |
Everything looks so pretty! My favorite part was the sewing machine😊
August 24, 2016 at 4:34 pm |
I can’t wait to get this book, so many cute patterns inside.
August 24, 2016 at 5:02 pm |
Very cute project- I love how you incorporated your hearts on the string into the illustration.
August 24, 2016 at 6:28 pm |
Wow I just discovered how the sewing machine can sew illustrations and I am so excited!!! This is a to-do by the end of this year!
August 24, 2016 at 6:32 pm |
Great job, on the illustration! I can’t wait to try this too. Very inspiring!
August 24, 2016 at 6:33 pm |
I can’t wait to get a copy of this book and experiment with the technique!
August 24, 2016 at 7:39 pm |
Oh my! Your selection of Liberty fabrics was just perfect for these appliques! I so admire the free-motion stitching around each piece. There really isn’t a “perfect” stitching to expect and I like that!
August 24, 2016 at 7:52 pm |
Oh my gosh, that sewing machine and your heart string – perfection!! I love all of it of course, but those two just made me want to make a sewing illustration like right now!! Beautifully made Faith!!
August 24, 2016 at 8:14 pm |
I love what you made for your sewing room- I love sewing themed projects near my sewing machine.
August 24, 2016 at 9:01 pm |
I love how you added the heartstrings!
August 24, 2016 at 9:05 pm |
Very cute project especially the girl button on the jar..
August 24, 2016 at 10:12 pm |
Your projects are so sweet. I love the miniature Heartstrings.
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
August 24, 2016 at 10:16 pm |
Wow this is such a adorable piece of fun! I would love to win! Thank You!
August 25, 2016 at 12:42 am |
Great job, so much fun in one book.
August 25, 2016 at 12:53 am |
This is the book I need to work my way through my linen stash! It is on my list!
August 25, 2016 at 5:59 am |
I would love to ‘draw’ that well with my sewing machine!
August 25, 2016 at 6:45 am |
I love the mini wall hanging. That would be perfect in anyone’s sewing room.
August 25, 2016 at 7:18 am |
Such a cute wall Hanging! Would love this book!
August 25, 2016 at 7:21 am |
Beautiful work. I would love to have this sweet book.
August 25, 2016 at 8:00 am |
I would LOVE to win a copy of this book. I think all of these creations are adorable and would make such wonderful gifts for friends and all that we love
August 25, 2016 at 8:10 am |
This is so very fun!! I have admired these illustrations for ages! Thanks for opportunity to win!
August 25, 2016 at 9:01 am |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
August 25, 2016 at 9:26 am |
Thanks for a chance to win this darling book. You make it look easy to do. !😍
August 25, 2016 at 10:48 am |
Your wall hanging with the heart string is beautiful! 💕💕💕 I would love to win this book, so many lovely projects….
August 25, 2016 at 11:46 am |
Wow. I’d love to win this book! I have read so much about and enjoyed the photos so much.
August 25, 2016 at 1:41 pm |
I would start with the same mini you made. I love it! Thanks for the giveaway.
August 25, 2016 at 2:57 pm |
I have a “THING” for all things sewing – I have a collection of patterns for sewing room items. This book would be a wonderful addition and maybe even a kick start to finally start decorating my little space!
August 25, 2016 at 4:17 pm |
Gorgeous work! I can’t wait to get started on these projects.
August 25, 2016 at 8:30 pm |
Beautiful designs and love how you have used the Liberty prints!
August 25, 2016 at 10:58 pm |
I love these designs and would love to try it
August 26, 2016 at 8:10 am |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
August 26, 2016 at 8:12 am |
What cute projects!
August 26, 2016 at 2:14 pm |
Love that you just went for it and did the bigger project. Sometimes it is the right thing to do,
August 26, 2016 at 2:33 pm |
Faith, as always, your attention to detail and combos of lovely florals is perfect! The addition of your heartstring shows just how versatile the book can be.
August 26, 2016 at 4:18 pm |
I love this, been looking a while for a book such as this. Would love to win
Fingers crossed !
August 26, 2016 at 7:43 pm |
I love all the sweet projects in this book!!
August 26, 2016 at 9:42 pm |
So many great projects!
August 26, 2016 at 10:22 pm |
Looks like a really FUN book! I would love to win it!! 🙂
August 27, 2016 at 4:09 am |
Oh wow….I already have ideas bubbling over from just this blog post
August 27, 2016 at 6:36 am |
I need that mini quilt in my sewing room. Great job!
August 27, 2016 at 9:10 am |
Wow your sewing mini is adorable. I’d love to give this a try!
August 27, 2016 at 9:16 am |
Love the use of fabric and thread in this book of projects. gives me ideas to do some of my own with traditional embroidery patterns. Just what I need more ideas
August 27, 2016 at 9:54 am |
Love this book, the black outlining just gives life to all the fabrics, thanks for giveaway.
August 27, 2016 at 10:05 am |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
August 28, 2016 at 9:42 am |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
August 28, 2016 at 11:03 am |
Love your wall
hangings! So
cute and fun,
especially the
jar girl!
Carla from Utah
August 28, 2016 at 8:33 pm |
Too cute! The girl in the jar made me laugh- apparently my sense of humor is a bit “off”! Beautiful job!
August 29, 2016 at 6:15 am |
I think I might just ‘need’ this book!
August 29, 2016 at 11:35 am |
So cute! I can’t wait to get this book.
August 29, 2016 at 12:13 pm |
Love this! Want!
August 29, 2016 at 4:27 pm |
Wow, I love the way you have personalised yours. What beautiful work – I would love the chance to win the book and give some of the ideas a go!! 😊
August 30, 2016 at 8:56 am |
I love how you personalized yours! I follow you on IG and I recognized your heart garland right away! Thanks for the chance to win a book, I would love to try these techniques!
August 30, 2016 at 9:06 am |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
August 30, 2016 at 9:58 am |
So lovely! And the hoop is just so cute!
August 30, 2016 at 7:50 pm |
Love this book and love, love your work. Absolutely gorgeous.
August 30, 2016 at 8:01 pm |
I love how you personalized your mini by adding the heartstrings so much! It turned out so beautifully! Thanks so much for the chance to win this book – I would love it!
August 30, 2016 at 8:09 pm |
Would so love to win!!! Just love the ones you did!!!
August 30, 2016 at 8:13 pm |
Beautiful work Faith! Your projects are my favorite on this blog tour.
August 30, 2016 at 8:15 pm |
Love the designs in this book! Thanks for the chance to win!
August 30, 2016 at 8:19 pm |
I love your work and love the book. It`s been in my Amazon cart waiting for a while now. Thank you so much for sharing your work, your thoughts, and a chance to win this inspirational, eye candy, book.
Mary
August 30, 2016 at 8:19 pm |
Very sweet wall hangings!!! Love how you personalized them!! I must get my hands on this book, the projects are awesome!!
August 30, 2016 at 8:20 pm |
Your work is beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win the book. It’s inspirational.
August 30, 2016 at 8:22 pm |
I love the projects you made!
August 30, 2016 at 8:26 pm |
Awww! You are soooo sweet making this awesome giveaway, Faith!! I loooove all your work!!!💖💖💖💖💖
August 30, 2016 at 8:37 pm |
I saw the bear pillow and fell in love with it. I would love to win!
August 30, 2016 at 9:01 pm |
Sew inspirational ! Would love to win a copy x
August 30, 2016 at 9:06 pm |
It’s so beautiful!! Would love to win the book👍🏻.
August 30, 2016 at 9:15 pm |
Your work is so inspiring for new beginners, like me! Keep up the great work!
August 30, 2016 at 9:37 pm |
Lovely projects from this cute book. Will love to win a copy!
August 30, 2016 at 10:18 pm |
I just love all of the projects that you’ve all shared, and yours is especially wonderful! Thanks for a chance to win a book! God bless you all ❤️ Dana at danasbusstop 😘
August 30, 2016 at 10:29 pm |
Love, love, love this little quilt – so cute!
August 30, 2016 at 10:43 pm |
I absolutely love your work and I am anxious to try this technique!
You create beautiful works of art.
Thank you so much for the inspiration and can’t wait to buy the book
Take care and keep creating!😉💜
August 30, 2016 at 11:21 pm |
Good job Faith! Wish I could win this book!
August 30, 2016 at 11:58 pm |
Would love to take this on my trip😊!
Becky
August 31, 2016 at 2:38 am |
Lovely work Faith. Great giveaway. I never tried this. Bea.
August 31, 2016 at 4:00 am |
So inspiring! Your work is beautiful. I want to try this, too!! Thank you for sharing.
August 31, 2016 at 8:52 am |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
August 31, 2016 at 8:59 am |
Such a sweet book! Thanks for the chance!!!!
August 31, 2016 at 9:14 pm |
Is it too late to enter the contest? I love what you did, and the way they all work together.
September 1, 2016 at 5:47 pm |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
September 2, 2016 at 4:09 pm |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
September 3, 2016 at 7:17 am |
[…] August 22: Debbie happy little cottage August 23: Generation Q Magazine August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave August 25: Ayda at cafenohut August 26: Melissa at Oh, how sweet August 27: Jemima at Tied with […]
September 3, 2016 at 9:34 am |
[…] August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave […]
September 4, 2016 at 10:00 am |
[…] Faith at Sarana Ave […]
February 5, 2017 at 2:20 pm |
[…] Si estás en Instagram, seguro que conoces a Minki Kim y su talento para las ilustraciones con hilo. Minki (@zeriano en Instagram) plasma en arte textil los momentos cotidianos del día a día con su familia y crea detalladas composiciones usando como motivos los utensilios de cocina o de costura que la rodean . Sus escenas son tan acogedoras y hogareñas que la mayoría de veces me dan ganas de ponerme una taza de café y comprarme una planta para casa. Si quieres echar un vistazo a sus creaciones, puedes saltar a su blog desde aquí: Minki’s Work Table . Hace una fotos preciosas! Y tiene vídeos en YouTube explicando cómo realiza sus dibujos textiles.Pero es que además, para suerte de todas las enamoradas de su arte, hace unos meses se publicó el libro Sew Illustrated, que ha escrito junto con su amiga y vecina Kristin Esser, en el que explican la técnica de la ilustración textil paso a paso, con estupendas fotografías, descripción de materiales, consejos, y con un montón de proyectos preciosos para ponerse manos a la obra. El libro es realmente bonito…Si os queréis hacer una idea de los proyectos del libro, visitad este post de Sarana Ave Sew Illustrated Blog Tour . […]