Finished Block Size: 6 x 8"

 

Materials needed: Cream Homespun, assorted scraps of fabric for borders, embroidery threads, colouring pencils, general sewing supplies.

 

Please excuse the dark, or blurry photos. The sun has been hiding behind the clouds recently!

 

 

Firstly, cut a 4.5 x 6.5" rectangle of Homespun. From your assorted scraps, cut two strips each measuring 1 x 6.5". Sew one strip to the right hand side of the block, and the second strip to the left hand side. Press flat.

 

 

Cut two 1 x 5.5" strips, and sew one to the top of the block, and the other to the bottom. Press flat.

 

 

Repeat the process, this time with two 1 x 7.5" strips sewn to the right and left hand sides of the block, and two 1 x 6.5" strips each sewn to the top and bottom of the block. Press flat and well after each one.

 

 

Download the stitchery template from the attachment below and print it off. Using a lightbox, or window, center the design and trace it to your block using a sharp 2B pencil, or pen of your choice.

 

 

Now, get your coloured pencils out, and it's time to colour in! I use Derwent Pencils, and the following are the colours I used. Brown Ochre for the fence posts (pressed lightly), third hens body and the roosters head; Deep Cadmium for the chicks and sun; Copper Beach for the roosters body, top of his tail and the third hens wing; Golden Brown for the second hen; Terracotta for the Roosters wing, and the second hens wing; Black for the tips of the roosters tail, Crimson Lake for the combs; Orange Chrome for the beaks, and May Green for the grass shading.

 

Then using two strands of matching thread, back stitch around the entire design. Use one strand of black thread for the words, and work french knots in one strand of thread for the eyes, dots on the grass, fence and words. Work three lazy daisy flowers, and then a french knot in the center.