It has been quite a month…broken…dead computer and my DH and I were traveling for several weeks. I am very much behind on my finishing, but the class I was preparing for took precedence. I did get some finishes completed, but I will save them for the next post. New Etsy site is now running.
For fifteen years now I have been an avid fan and student of French Boutis Needlework. My dear French friend, Nicole, sent me a piece as a gift when my granddaughter, Sophia, was born. I was enthralled by the exquisite detail of this needlework. Via the internet and some lovely books she sent me, Nicole, patiently taught me how to do this. And over the years my dear friend, Maggy, has sent me LOTS of wonderful books and magazines regarding French Boutis. I have perused all of them over and over and learned and dreamed.
Boutis Heart
I set aside the Boutis for a while in favor of other stitching and quilting, but my interest was revived when I met my friend, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a talented “boutiseusse” and a designer extraordinaire. She asked me to pilot her pattern and this was the result.
Together we taught a class using her “Cicada Needle Book” pattern for the Great Lakes Region of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America this past weekend on Saturday. We spent MANY hours over the summer preparing kits and researching other necessities for the class. We had 25 women students who very much enjoyed this new, but exquisite technique.
Besides the necessities in each kit, we included a lovely handmade lavender sachet and a piece of “Merci” chocolate. We even had a drawing for a beautiful boutis project bag, three of Elizabeth’s new “Rose Window” kits were given away, as well as three of my new “Boutis Ornament” kits. Everyone enjoyed the day.
Karen (Averyclaire) and Elizabeth (Seams French)
Elizabeth is currently in the process of creating a new website and Etsy shop that will not be ready until mid to the end of October. Her current blog is Seams French. She also designed a “Rose Window” box which I finished for her. It can be finished as a small round box or table mat or wall hanging or any other creative ideas you might have! If anyone is interested in Elizabeth’s patterns you can leave her a message on her present blog site and I am sure she will let you know when the items are ready for sale.
This summer I stitched a boutis piece from Hubert Valeri at Boutisarchi. His website has many modern patterns and is a feast of eye candy for the interested boutis seeker. The piece is done on two pieces of white batiste (no batting), stitched with a variegated green quilting thread in a “point d’arriere” (back stitch). All boutis is translucent when held up to the light and is completely reversible.
Over the summer I designed three French Boutis Christmas Ornaments which will be for sale on my new ETSY site. There is an Etsy link on the side of my blog now. I have included in each kit enough materials for three ornaments which includes everything necessary to make them. These ornaments are a simple, easy, small project with which to learn the basics of French Boutis. I think you will be as enthused about this lovely needle work technique as I am.
Here are some Boutis blog sites to visit:
“Seams French”: (Elizabeth Janzen): http://www.seamsfrench.blogspot
“Boutis Provence”:(Madame Francine Born): http://www.boutis-provence.com
“France Boutis”: http://www.franceboutis.canalblog.com (The local boutis association in Nimes in the South of France)
“Boutis Archi”: (M Hubert Valeri): http://www.boutisarchi.com (contemporary)
“CRE-DO”: (Dominique Fave): http://www.dominiquefave.com (contemporary)
La Maison du Boutis (Madame Francine Nicole): http://www.la-maison-du-boutis.fr (traditional)
Hopefully my new little substitute computer will hold out until my new/old one is repaired! It sure is hard to get used to somethings all over again and again!
Amities, Averyclaire
Averyclaire 
Southpaw Stitcher
Sep 19, 2016 @ 18:14:21
Thank you so much for teaching such a wonderful class! It was fun and inspiring to learn a new technique. Your new Boutis designs are beautiful!
averyclaire
Sep 19, 2016 @ 18:17:47
Thanks! I very much enjoyed bringing this lovely needlework to this group and hope I will be able to do so again in the future. ALL of the students seemed to enjoy it.
Jessica Grimm
Sep 20, 2016 @ 01:01:48
Oh, I love the Boutis Christmas ornaments! Do let us know when your shop is up and running. They seem perfect to try my hand at this stunning technique.
averyclaire
Sep 20, 2016 @ 06:50:25
Thank you. The Etsy shop is up…I am just having a hard time putting up an Etsy link on my blog…I am not sure why.
Etsy shop is “Averyclaire”.
Jessica Grimm
Sep 20, 2016 @ 08:31:20
Thanks for your prompt reply! I’ve just ordered the kit.
averyclaire
Sep 20, 2016 @ 09:26:33
Jessica….thank you SO VERY MUCH. I appreciate your order. And I have already taken it to the post office! Now you will be known as a “boutiseusse”!!!
Brigitte
Sep 20, 2016 @ 02:55:14
It must have been so great for the group to earn this new technique. All the pieces you show here are just gorgeous. I once saw some pieces stitched with this technique at a needlework show many years ago. Very impressive.
averyclaire
Sep 20, 2016 @ 06:51:01
The ladies really enjoyed the class and it was fun to share this technique!
LaNelle Schaffhauser
Sep 20, 2016 @ 05:52:01
Just spectacular what a treat to learn by taking a class from the two of you!
averyclaire
Sep 20, 2016 @ 06:51:59
Thank you SO much! It was a pleasure to be in the midst of such wonderful needle artisans!
Annie
Sep 20, 2016 @ 21:35:21
I’ve never heard of this before. The pieces are gorgeous. You are one fast learner! From student to teacher in a wink!
averyclaire
Sep 20, 2016 @ 22:11:35
Not exactly in a wink. I learned it 15 years ago. I do love it. It is an ancient art. I created the ornaments for those wishing to learn on a simple piece. LOVE your mad scientist!
Carol
Sep 22, 2016 @ 12:55:19
I haven’t heard of this needlework, Karen, so I found your post very interesting… How wonderful to teach and I’m sure the students were thrilled with learning how to create something so beautiful 🙂
Looking forward to seeing your new finishes and best of luck with your new Etsy shop!! I was just telling my family that that is something I might like to do when I retire 🙂
averyclaire
Sep 27, 2016 @ 16:47:07
Thank you Carol. It was a big I undertaking. Made 50 kits for the class and another 25 for my ornaments. Then making patterns, instructions, packaging and scouting out the best materials…well it used up the summer getting ready. Enjoyed it very much. The Etsy site is only “in process” even though it is up and running. Needs fine tuning. Enjoying it as well. Hope you are able to retire soon. I love it!
Margaret Chess
Sep 27, 2016 @ 15:04:59
I’m so impressed with all you do! This French Boutis is new to me — so so lovely! What a wonderful class piece and the box is wonderful too! Congratulations on your new etsy site too!
averyclaire
Sep 27, 2016 @ 16:49:14
I hope you have an opportunity to try “Boutis”. I enjoy it very much. Thank you for your kind note. I am still working on my Etsy site even though it is up and running. Happy Autumn!
Jessica Grimm
Sep 28, 2016 @ 05:30:39
Dear Karen, today your kit arrived. It looks great and I can’t wait to start. And then the lovely packaging with the cute lavender sachet. Thank you very much and have a nice day, Jessica
Jessica Grimm
Oct 04, 2016 @ 12:48:37
And thank you for your lovely postcard which accompanied the receipt. Good luck with your Etsy shop! Love, Jessica
Sheryl
Oct 06, 2016 @ 10:38:10
Interesting post Karen as is this beautiful needlework technique which has caught my interest. Such wonderful work, thank you for the links, I am off to investigate, must learn how to do this.
averyclaire
Oct 06, 2016 @ 11:31:52
Thanks for your kind words Sheryl. Boutis is really simple…just a running stitch on 2 pieces of fine fabric like batiste and then corded with white yarn from behind. Hope you will love it as much as I do!!