The Accidental Embroiderer

A free dove for July

A lot of people have been interested in the “new” applique method I’ve been playing around with – that is, rather than laying down a border around the raw edges of the fabric, just overstitching the whole area of fabric with a thin layer of embroidery. Last week I posted a dove which had been done with the overstitching method, so I thought he might be a good freebie for July.

Dove2

An applique dove

There’s nothing complicated about the overstitching method – you just stitch down the applique fabric and trim the raw edges as usual, and then carry on with the overstitching step. The only difference between this and some other methods is that the final “applique” step is done with a running stitch rather than the more usual zig-zag. For the applique fabric on the dove, I used very thin white felt, but there should be no reason why any reasonably firm fabric wouldn’t do as well. But I haven’t tested a wide variety of fabrics in this kind of applique, so if anyone has any problems or suggestions, I would be very pleased to hear about them. The dove has an embroidered tail and wing tips – it’s only the head and body that are appliqueed

As usual, if you’d like to receive this design file, just drop a comment to the blog asking for it, and I’ll send it out to you

89 thoughts on “A free dove for July

  1. Hi Mia
    It is inspiring to see your website with all the beautiful things you have made. I am looking forward to try your dove if you would be so good to send it to me. Here it is it raining. At the moment it looks as if the summer fell on three days last week.
    Karen

  2. Mia,
    I love the new technique with the dove. It really gives it character. I’ll try that out the next time I am digitizing applique. Thanks for your inspiration. I would love a copy of your work.
    Jane in soggy Kansas

  3. Hi Mia.
    Yes, I would love to please have your dove. It is graceful and elegant. Thank you so much. Best to you always.

  4. wonderful design for dove. So different from other digitisers.
    Smiles
    Charmaine

  5. Your stitching is so beautiful and intriguing! Thanks so much for allowing us to tag along with you on your journey of embroidery exploration!

  6. Yes, please! I love your dove. I think I’d like to try it on a delicate, shimmery white fabric.

  7. Mia,
    As usual you inspire me to haul out my laptop and start playing with my software and stitching. Hope OESD or Urban Threads sees your work!,
    Thx. I eagerly wait for tomorrow morning when I can do look at the design in detail.

  8. I just discovered your site – I would love to have the dove- I was looking at your older posts and wondered how to get the Christmas pot holder- I cant find a price or link to that.

  9. I love the dove! and would like to stitch it onto a pillow for my bed. Please send it to me. THANKS

  10. Your stitching is so beautiful! I would love to try your Dove design.
    Thank you in advance for sharing.
    Chincolady

  11. This will be a gorgeous addition to the embroidered aviary! Can’t wait to stitch it. Thank you, oh generous one.

  12. Thank you. The dove is such a beautiful one and my granddaughter is getting married in October and I would love to have this dove to put on some towels and a pillow for her.

  13. Ýour design is so beautiful and has such a peaceful feeling about it. Would you kindly send it to me . I would love to sew it on an item
    Kind regard Michelle

  14. The tail feathers on the Dove are SO beautiful. Someone posted a comment at the Sick Chat Room and said they had already stitched the design and loved it. Please send the Dove to me so I can test it out as well. Thanks so much.

  15. If you remember me from my other posts requesting your birds, you know I’m in need of your beautiful dove.
    Still sunny in Tucson,
    Shelley

  16. Hi, I have just found your site and am very interested in your designs. The dovecote looks very animated and I just love the fishing scene. The raised letters evoke the feeling of a fishing pier and are very effective. This approach to embroidery brings it to a whole new level….glad I found your site. If you have a moment, could you forward the monthly design? thanks.

  17. Very pretty – I love the textures! and would like to have this design – Thank you for sharing!

  18. Very pretty – I love the textures! and would like to have this design – Thank you for sharing!

  19. this looks like it may be really neat I would love to try it could you please send me this beautiful dove

  20. Someone like you are always coming up with something different in the ME world. I like the effect this technique gives your dove design. It gives it more depth. Could you please send the dove design to me so that I can try it? Thank you very much.

  21. Like all your work, this dove is lovely! His beautiful self needs to fly to my home post haste. Is he here yet? Let me check the birdfeeder outside my window!

  22. WOW you just continue to amaze us all…how awesome is your dove. I would so much appreciate this design..thanks for sharing your time and awesame talent. Betty

  23. Your dove is beautiful. I especially like the fine detail in the tail feathers. Could you please send me the dove to try? Thank you.

  24. Ditto to all the other comments.
    I cant wait to stitch in out and put in the
    middle of a quilt.
    Peace to the all the quilters

  25. I love your designs they are so different
    I would really like to have the beautiful dove.

  26. Wow! Your designs are just awesome! I just love the doves! Can you please send me this design? I would love to use it. Blessings!

  27. Lovely dove–the tail feathers make me feel so gentle and peaceful as they seem to softly move in the summer air. Please send me the design.

  28. I love all of your birds! This dove is beautiful and I would love a copy!
    Thanks for sharing your techniques.
    Liz

  29. I just discovered what Zentangle is and found your site. Unbelievably beautiful! I would love to try out a free design. I will probably buy some owls after I try one first.
    Thank you!
    pauletts@microsoft.com

  30. Your dove is beautiful. I especially like the fine detail in the tail feathers. Could you please send me the dove to try? Thank you.

  31. Mia,
    You continue to amaze me with your creativity. Please sent the charming dove so he can settle in with all your other birds.love him.
    Just returned from Scottsdale where the birds landed on my lunch when eating in the courtyard. I seem to attract birds.
    Lots of thanks for your sharing.
    Spanky

  32. Such a light and figure, I can see wind moving its feathers. You were so right to change it from original one.
    Would love to have it, please

  33. Just got home from a great camping trip and found your lovely dove. I would love to stitch this cutie out…thanks, paged

  34. Hello
    This dove is just beautifull! Would you please send it to me? Thank you in advance!
    Best regards,juliette

  35. Please send me the dove. I am interested in the technique. Thanks so much for offering this.

Leave a Reply to ruth Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *