This is the third in the series of four companion bookmark patterns for a cozy mystery series by Monica Ferris set in and around a needlework shop in Minnesota. These designs were originally used as give-aways at the book signings for the Needlework Mystery series.
This design reflects a piece of the plot of the book Sins and Needles, the tenth book in the series. The plot featured a hidden map and an old 49-star American flag. Yes, there was a short period of time in 1959 when the USA only had 49 states and a flag that reflected that number. It’s an important clue to solve the mystery!
As with all of the designs in the series, this bookmark makes a terrific small project to make for yourself or as a gift.
The design uses only one specialty stitch, the Nun’s Stitch for finishing and the usual cross stitches and a small amount of back stitching for the letters. Once you finish cross stitching the pattern, work the Nun’s Stitch all the way around, then remove the loose threads to create the fringe. No framing or other sewing is needed to complete the project.
The fabric and thread colors can be modified slightly. Although the pattern chart calls for Wedgwood 32-count evenweave, if you prefer another shade of blue as a background color to represent the water on the map, that would work fine.
If you do change the background fabric, you may also need to adjust the color used for the lettering and the stitches that represent the map’s pathway to another color or shade so that it contrasts well with the background fabric and won’t disappear into the water. And remember to use a floss color that matches your fabric for the Nun’s Stitch finishing so it will blend into the background.
Keep in mind that if you select an evenweave or linen fabric in another thread count, you’ll need to re-calculate the amount of fabric needed. For a fabric with more threads per inch such as 36-count, you’ll need less fabric and the finished bookmark will be a bit smaller; for a fabric with fewer threads per inch such as 28-count, you’ll need more fabric and the finished bookmark will be a tad bigger. Best to err on the too-big side than not-enough. Sorry, this pattern isn’t recommended for use with Aida-type fabrics.
If you’ve stitched any of the other bookmark patterns in the series, you’re sure to be an old hand at the Nun’s stitch by now, so dive right in.
But if you’re new to doing the Nun’s Stitch, as with other specialty stitches, it’s best to practice on a piece of scrap evenweave or linen fabric before you begin working it around your almost-finished bookmark. The chart has diagrams included that will show you how to work the stitches and how to make the turns at each corner.
To get started, click Here There Be Treasure Bookmark Chart to download and save the chart. Print it out zoomed to full-page size in portrait mode and start pulling out the colors of your fabric and fibers.
Keep visiting LogicalInsight.net for the final bookmark pattern to complete the series plus other projects to keep you stitching.
Did you use a different fabric or select different colors of floss for the design? If so, we’d love to see your finished project! Email us photographs of your finished bookmarks.
