The fishmonger’s fish that I posted last week proved so popular that I thought it might be a nice idea to make them the basis of a freebie. My first thought was to give readers the complete design – that is, the two fish together with the scrolled background. But then I realised that the whole design was for a very large hoop (7 x 12 inches, or 180 x 300 mm) and not everybody has machines that can use hoops of that size. Also there isn’t really much you can do with such a big and complicated design except frame it and hang it on the wall, and not everybody really wants embroideries on the wall
So I thought it might be better just to give one of the fish, which could be used in several different ways. And this is the free fish
A freebie from the fishmonger
I strongly recommend stitching it out with a layer of Mylar, to give it that nice sparkle and shine. If you can do this, then stitch the first three colours -that is, the fins in silver, and the bottom and top of the body in cream yellow and mint green. Now, lay a sheet of Mylar over the embroidery , making sure that it covers the entire body. Reduce the speed of your machine to very slow and holding the Mylar in place, stitch “colour 4”, which is described as “appliqué”
Now remove the hoop from the machine and pull or cut the loose Mylar away from the stitching, leaving it in place over the body. Put the hoop back on the machine, increase the speed to what you usually use and carry on with the stitching
If you can’t get Mylar or don’t want to use it, then the fish will be fine without it, although it will lack those nice shiny scales
Good luck! Here is the fish, in .pes v.6, for the 5 x 7 inch (130 x 180 mm) hoop
What?! Who WOULDN’T want a wall full of embroidery?! Ha ha. I embroider and make into wall hangings, stretch over canvas, or just frame my embroidery all – the – time! You should see my walls; it’s Nuts! Anyway, I love this fish and how it will look with mylar. I might just do a bunch of these beauties as a border across the bottom of a white dish towel. I think it would look fishtastic.
So, thank you!
i’ve been stopping by your blog for years now, and realized i’ve never actually left a comment!
anyway, i really admire your use of machine embroidery as fine art. glad you have found exhibition spaces that recognize the talent that goes into digitizing.
one day i hope to drop by with a photo of one of your free designs on a finished garment.
Mia, how lovely the fish design, this will be a have to do embroidery. My walls are covered with hand embroidery, stumpwork and machine embroidery. My husband says please no more for the walls. However I continue to keep on sewing. MY ENJOYMENT. I am sure the fishmonger would be delighted to have your creations in the shop, what better advertising for you.
Wow, a fishmonger’s fish. That is totally unique. He will look great on a summer shirt. I have a few other sea oriented shirts. A big shell which is an outline style, and a seahorse, also an outline.
I think using two of the fish, I could align them to make a heart shape and have a “Fishy Valentine” with some red in the fish, and a little pink. But I already have some thing set up for Valentine’s day, Still making some beaded bracelets and necklaces for my family, re-working an old coral necklace. The coral would like nice with the fish shirt, just one of course, I need a few blank shirts before I start getting too many ideas.
Hope you have a good chocolatey Valentine. Linda
Today is my birthday! What a great gift! I can’t wait to stitch this out with the Mylar. Your fish are so wonderful.
Thank you!
Mia, Really like the larger one, but this smaller fish is wonderful. Will have to stitch this one and hang it in our camper. We used to fish, but daughter and family now do all the fishing. Thank you. Hope you have several fish hanging in the Fishing place soon!
I love this little fish, Mia! And I love the effect Mylar gives to embroidery, especially fish and water-related projects. Last year I made a dozen small cushions with leftover embroidery samples I had, and the ones of mermaids and water lilies that had Mylar sold very well!!! Keep up the GREAT work!
Oh, thank you! I loved the fish pair, and this will be a perfect introduction to Mylar. I’ve seen nice designs, but none I was interested in trying, nor any in which the Mylar itself seems intrinsic. Not many shiny flowers out there, right? Fish scales are perfect! With all the lakes and rivers in this part of the US, this little guy is going to end up on lots of gifts! Thanks again for your sharing heart!
What a lovely gift, from the fishmonger’s walls to ours! Yes, I have a number of embroidered items adoring the walls in my living space. And, your fish are always a delight… Now where did I stash my mylar…..