House for a Wife, a Huswif: Part 3

Design by Charlotte Smyth of Charlotte’s Web Needlework

Join us as we wrap up part three in this stitching series that showcases a delightful huswif design from Charlotte Smyth. The last installment features a stately Elizabethan house and detailed finishing instructions. Featuring a myriad of specialty stitches, this project is bursting with texture, dimension and style.

Skill Level: Advanced

Stitch Count

Complete Stitched Area: 280H x 76W House 1: 52H x 76W House 2: 54H x 76W House 3: 60H x 76W House 4: 62H x 76W House 5: 52H x 76W

Design Size

Complete Stitched Area: 175/8" x 43/4"

House 1: 31/4" x 43/4"

House 2: 33/8" x 43/4"

House 3: 33/4" x 43/4"

House 4: 37/8" x 43/4"

House 5: 31/4" x 43/4"

Materials

• 24" x 11" piece 32- count limestone Belfast linen from Zweigart®

• One skein each DMC® or Sullivans® USA six-strand embroidery floss

• One skein DMC® Color Variations

• One skein each The Gentle Art Sampler Threads

• One skein each The Gentle Art Simply Shaker Sampler Threads

• Size 26 tapestry needle

• Straw needle**

**Also known as a milliner’s needle, a straw needle is long and fine with a sharp point and a round eye that is not wider than the needle shaft.

Instructions

House 5: Use center arrow on chart to position House 5 under House 4.

Cross stitch over two threads using two strands of floss.

Backstitch over two threads using one strand of floss for windows and garland and two strands for remaining backstitch.

Work cashmere stitch for roof using two strands of floss.

Work Scotch and reverse Scotch stitch using two strands of floss.

Work chain stitch over two threads for fence using one strand 3371/45351.

Work lazy daisy stitch for garland on house using two strands 522/45118.

Work ray leaf stitch for garland using two strands 367/45080.

Work French knots using two strands of floss and wrapping around needle twice.

Finishing Materials & Instructions

• 1/2 yard shot silk taffeta for lining • One each 8" x 6" and 31/2" x 2" rectangle shot silk taffeta for needleroll • 1/2 yard 3/4"-wide coordinating satin

ribbon • Pearl cotton #12 to match satin ribbon • Two 1" plastic rings • Coordinating sewing thread • Ruler or sewing gauge • Fabric marking pen or pencil • Straight pins • Polyester fiberfill • Sewing machine (optional)

Note: Refer to photos throughout.

Press stitched piece from reverse side, straightening as much as possible.

Measure 1" from top of stitching and mark a line across linen using marking pen or pencil. Measure 11/2" from bottom of stitching and mark a line across linen. Count six threads from widest stitching on each side of design and mark lines from top to bottom.

Baste along marked lines using contrasting sewing thread, making sure lines are straight. Count out 10 threads from basting on all sides and mark lines. Count eight more threads (18 from basting) and mark lines. Count another eight threads (26 from basting) and pull eighth thread out on all four sides. Cut linen where thread was pulled.

Fold linen back to 18th thread line, then to the 10th thread line and fold again to the basting line. Miter corners and pin in place.

Being careful not to stitch over basting line, work hem stitch over two threads using pearl cotton along edge of folded hem. This will gather the thread as it secures the hem to the back of the fabric, resulting in a decorative border to the embroidery. Remove the basting thread once the hem stitch is complete.

Lining with folded pockets: Cut lining fabric 63/4" wide and leave 1/2-yard length. Be sure to cut the lining fabric as straight as possible. On one short end (this will be the bottom edge), fold a 3/4" seam allowance to the wrong side; press and pin in place.

From the seam-allowance fold, measure 8" and fold the fabric away from you, to the right side, along this measurement; press. Pin the fabric slightly above 8"-fold. Make sure edges of fabric align.

Measure 3" away from the 8"-fold and fold the fabric back toward you. Press the fold. Pin the entire 3" length of both sides, making sure the edges align as closely as possible. This is the first pocket.

From the top edge of the first pocket, measure 8" and fold the fabric away from

you; press the fold. Pin slightly above the fold. Measure 3" from the 8"-fold and fold the fabric back toward you along the 3" line. Press the fold and pin the entire 3" length on both sides. This is the second pocket.

Repeat the step for second pocket two more times. You will have a total of four pockets that resemble giant pleats.

Once all four pockets are made, fold the top raw edge of fabric 3/4" to the wrong side. Baste down length of both side edges to hold the pockets in place, removing pins as you sew.

Fold under 3/4" seam allowance on both side edges of fabric. Note: Adjust bottom seam and side seams as needed to fit within hem-stitched border on stitched piece.

Lay stitched piece right side down on work surface. Place lining on stitched piece, wrong sides together (pockets will be faceup). Pin in place, adjusting lining as needed to fit within hem-stitched border on stitched piece.

Using coordinating sewing thread, stitch lining to stitched piece by taking a small stitch into the lining and then around the line of hem-stitching, repeating until all edges are secured.

Needleroll: Fold the 31/2" x 2" rectangle of taffeta in half lengthwise. Stitch long raw edges together using 1/4" seam allowance, leaving ends open. Turn right side out. Fold in half so that both open ends are on the same end to make a loop.

On the 8" x 6" rectangle of taffeta, measure in 1/2" from longer side along short side and cut a 1"-long slit perpendicular from shorter raw edge. Once hem is folded this will be the entrance for gathering thread. Repeat on opposite. Repeat on other long side. Fold in the short sides 3/4" to the wrong side and press; sew 1/8" from folded edge. This will allow for threading the seam for gathering.

Place the loop on the right side of the larger rectangle, centering it along one 8" side and aligning raw edges. Pin in place. Pin long edges of larger rectangle together, right sides together, and sew using a 1/2" seam allowance. Make certain the loop is secured in the seam. Turn piece right side out to form a tube. The loop should be on right side.

Cut two 10" lengths of pearl cotton. Starting at slit in seam on inner short side of tube, thread pearl cotton through seam to other slit. Gather pearl cotton to close one end of needleroll. Tie securely and cut extra thread. Stuff needleroll with fiberfill until firm. Thread other end of needleroll with pearl cotton and gather. Tie and cut extra thread.

Center the loop 1" from bottom edge of lining and stitch free end in place. Needleroll should now be secured to lining.

Rings: Using pearl cotton and a buttonhole stitch, stitch around one plastic ring. When ring is completely covered work ends under previous stitches and trim. Repeat on second ring.

Fold under one end of ribbon approximately 1/2" and lightly tack. Place both rings onto folded end of ribbon. Fold another 11/2" over rings and sew ribbon to itself to secure rings.

On top front of stitched piece, center ring end of ribbon, folded side down. Sew ribbon to huswif just below the hem-stitched border. Trim opposite end of ribbon diagonally to desired length.

Starting with needleroll end, roll up the huswif. Once rolled, wrap the ribbon around the huswif and thread the ribbon through the rings to secure.