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I came across a beautiful whitework embroidered bee on Pinterest. I was fascinated by it.
The pattern was created by Sarah Homfray. Sarah has achieved one of my life-long desires in attending the Royal School of Needlework in England. She teaches embroidery classes in England. You can see more of her work, and sign up for her classes on her website, SarahHomfray.com.
I ordered the pattern for the bee from Sarah on Etsy (using money I had saved from taking surveys) and I made the lavender sachet above. I embroidered the bee using a combination of a single strand of white pearl cotton thread, and a single strand of white embroidery thread. The entire thing could be stitched with two strands of white embroidery thread for the most frugal option. I love whitework and have recently started stitching with DMC pearl cotton in size 12
I embroidered it on a 5 inch scrap of linen, and transferred the pattern with a blue Mark B Gone pen
I then used the pattern again to embroider a handkerchief for myself. This time, I embroidered the entire thing in pearl cotton, and I spaced the buttonhole stitches much closer together on the body of the bee.
I am envisioning several other ideas with it; I’ve pinned several bee embroidery ideas on my embroidery board on Pinterest, which I may make using this same pattern. I also think it would be beautiful on a girl’s dress.
Today, I’m giving away a copy of this pattern to one lucky reader! The reader will receive a pdf pattern of this bee with stitching instructions. This giveaway is open to all readers worldwide!
To enter, please enter in the Rafflecopter box below, and leave a blog comment telling me on which embroidery project you currently are working/are planning to work on next!
I love the bee and the white-on-white embroidery!
I just finished embroidering a table runner with pastel roses. My next project is actually lavender filled bags too 🙂 The bee is gorgeous, especially in white!
I have not embroidered anything in years but would love to take it back up! I spend most of my time now quilting.
Your handiwork is beautiful!
I am working on quilts for my children. I would love to embroider their names on them.
I am making my daughter a crazy quilt.
Good morning! I just noticed I didn’t mention my next project. It will be a handkerchief for my sister’s wedding.
I think it is so funny that you posted this – I have been longing to learn how to embroider (mostly due to seeing the beautiful things you have posted), but haven’t done anything about it. I got to thinking this week that I should look online, as surely someone would have video tutorials! I am so glad you posted Sarah’s info – I am going to hop on over there and see what I can learn! But in order to enter the giveaway – I have not been embroidering anything, yet! 🙂
Not sure If last comment went through. I truly enjoy blog.
i am not currently embroidering but this makes me want to pick back up again! great job Brandy!!
wsow.. this is really a very pretty embroidery piece.. I’m currently working through some christmas ornaments for craft exchanges.. ;)thank you for a chance to win
I am working on 2 embroidery projects right now….a tea towel and a sampler. Blessings from Kansas! Gail
I have never embroidered but would love to try as it looks beautiful. I saw a gorgeous hen pattern on Pinterest in what they called a redwork but it was for machine embroidery 🙁
I am working on a pair of pillowcases with a floral embroidery. I would love to have this bee pattern.
I’m working on some hankies for Christmas gifts. 🙂
What a fun gift. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
I haven’t embroidered in MANY years, but would love to get back into it!
I smock for my girls, and usually have several dresses going. We are FINALLY moving to the country, and I want each of them to embroider a pillow for their bed. I think we will copy a cute font, and just wing it!
This is darling. I haven’t embroidered in awhile, but I’d love to try this!Lizzy
I love this! I just started to embroider and would love to embroider this one.Brittany
I’m going to make my niece an apron for her birthday and I’m going to embroider a cupcake on it (and use long beads for sprinkles).
I make embroideries of herb plants and country kitchen scenes. I got the patterns from Walmart with gift cards I earned on swagbucks! I usually give away my embroideries to friends.
I’m embroidering faces on some small felt farm animals I made using blanket stitch that I am setting aside to give my son for Christmas. Your sachet is such a beautiful project, I’ve been keeping my eye out for this post since
Oops!…since I noticed your post on facebook
Wow! I love the unfinished chalk marks and stains! Is there a name or address to research the embroiderer? I would try to look into it and if nothing, I would make up a history. The piece could become an artwork between stitchers through time, though I would leave the original stitches as is and add new completely different images too. Enjoy whatever you decide:)