Signal Flags Sampler Finish

Buy the pattern here

Ahoy, the signal flags sampler is finished! I am so pleased with how it turned out; although I did have a dye-bleeding scare when I washed it, I have fixed it and now it is perfect.

You can’t even tell that the DMC 321 gave it pink spots! I think that the dye bled when I ironed it with a steamy iron. I managed to get the stains out by soaking it all day in an ice water bath, and I rubbed some of the pinkest areas with an ice cube. Now I know to prewash that floss!

The big flags on top are the alphabet flags (A-Z), the small square flags in the middle are a famous message sent by Horatio Nelson, and the trapezoidal flags at bottom are the numbers 0-9. The border is a visual representation of Morse Code, starting with A at the top left and continuing around clockwise through the numbers, ending with zero (the bottom border should be read upside down).

I backed the project with this great blueprint-style nautical print. There was no designer information on the selvage, just a note that it was exclusively available at Joann Fabrics. I found it in the quilting section with the other cotton prints. I bought a yard and have a lot leftover, so I might make some pillowcases.

And here it is hanging up in my bedroom, right above a poster for my alma mater’s centennial (it’s also right above the wireless router and the modem, but I didn’t think you’d want to see those.) I attached a length of ribbon to the back so that it can hang invisibly from a dowel (or from a take-out chopstick, which is what I actually used, being short on dowels at the moment).

And if you want your own signal flag sampler (to hang above your wireless router or anywhere else), you can buy the pattern in my Etsy store! It’s only four dollars and the pattern includes an explanation of what the flags and the Morse code mean.

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WIP Wednesday July 22

I missed WIP Wednesday last Wednesday because I was busy seeing the sights of Portland with my parents who were visiting (OK, we really only saw one sight, the Portland Japanese Garden, but then we got really nice matcha lattes downtown).

But I’ve still been working hard on the signal flag sampler. I finished the cross stitching on the alphabet flags and started on the little flags that will eventually read “England expects that every man will do his duty.” Then there’s just a lot more backstitching and more cross stitching to go!

And then today I also went to the quilt shop and got a ‘quilter’s dozen’ of fun patterned fat quarters. I do have an idea for some of them, but some I just got ’cause they’re so darn pretty.

That’s all for work in progress Wednesday! What are you working on today?

WIP Wednesday: More Signal Flags

Another Wednesday, another work in progress shot. I’ve nearly finished the alphabet flags and made good progress last night on the Morse code border.

Just two more letters to go and then I’ll start on the numbers!

WIP Wednesday: A Suffusion of WIPs

I’m getting a bit carried away with projects I’ve got in the works this week. I have three started-but-not-finished cross stitches and my first attempt at needle felt.

First there is the ongoing signal flags sampler. I’ve done at least one flag in every row & column of the main alphabet, and so far I haven’t had any more major mistakes that required me to rip out parts. I also started the Morse code border up at the top right. And I put this pattern in my Crafsty shop, so you can stitch it, too!

I had to take a break from the signal flags to work on June’s flower of the month. This month is the wild rose. The pattern is a free one from Ellen Maurer-Stroh. This is the fourth flower of hers I am doing and I like how it is so far requiring not very much parking. I stitched this while watching a few episodes of Continuum and Angel last night.

The third cross stitch I’m working on is Steotch’s Steotchalong; the pattern for Week 2 was released Monday but I haven’t gotten around to stitching it yet, so a progress photo wouldn’t look any different from the post from Week 1.

Last but not least there is this, my first attempt at needle felting. It is supposed to be the snow golem from Adventure Time. Eventually this will be sewn into a bag that can hold crafting supplies for when I’m out and about. The ground fabric is some wool suiting fabric from Joann Fabrics. I had a terrible time marking the fabric for a guide on where to do the felting; the fabric pen shows up OK in the photo but is almost impossible to see in real life. So I’ve been guessing and going with what looks good. Eventually there will be a fire wolf pup to keep him company.

Whew, I’ve got a lot on my crafting plate. What are you working on this week?

WIP Wednesday: I Didn’t Forget!

I took a picture of my work in progress cross stitch this morning, but then I kept forgetting to post it when I was at my computer. There are still a few hours of Wednesday left here, so here it is!

As you can see I have added a few more flags since last week, and I fixed the mistakes I made on the “Z” flag. Tonight I’ll work on the “K” while we watch some new television. We finished up Buffy the Vampire Slayer last night, and now we’re starting Angel.

In other news, the Malcolm Tucker cross stitch chart is now available on Craftsy, so go buy it!

WIP Wednesday: Five Flags Down

I want to apologize in advance for the dark photos, but the sun in Portland has decided to take a vacation. I’ve finished five of the flags on my signal flags sampler:

And since people have been asking for an explanation:

Each flag represents a letter. Now you may be wondering why I say that I have five flags finished. Well, obviously, the Y isn’t done yet, and even though the Z looks done, I actually made it two squares too short and I have to go back and pick out all the red and redo it. I literally threw this piece across the room when I discovered that last night. I’ve had to do too much unpicking on this project! But I like how it is turning out.