EVERYTHING on sale 1/6/25 through 1/15/25
at http://www.etsy.com/shop/averyclaire
All boutis supplies, fabric, dyed fabric, needles, PDF patterns, kits, yarn, scissor holders, etc.
Happy New Year…..Averyclaire
New Year Sale 20% Off
03 Jan 2025 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Boutis, French, French Boutis, Gifts, Needlework, Patterns, Valentine Heart
Haley’s Angel Wings
22 Apr 2023 6 Comments
in Angels, Boutis, Design, Embroidery, French, French Boutis, Hand Quilting, Uncategorized Tags: Angel Wings, Boutis, Embroidery, Quilting
“A Celebration of Her Beautiful Life”
About 18 months ago I wrote a memorial for my granddaughter, Haley. It has been a long time of often inconsolable grief, a dance of sorrow and joy, and often pain and pure love for the entire family. Today I am sharing the way in which I spent these months. I designed and created a set of Angel Wings to celebrate her life using my favorite needlework technique…French Boutis. It is very exciting to share this with everyone who has lost someone special or who knows someone in need of a lovely celebration of a life well lived and a way to keep the memories in their hearts. The pattern for this can be found on my Etsy page.
This is a digital pattern and includes two angel wing patterns, one traditional and one art deco, instructions and more photos.
For those who are not interested in Boutis Needlework, this pattern can also be used for embroidery or even quilting with a thin layer of batting between the two layers of fabric and stitched by hand or machine.
For every pattern purchased a donation of $5 will be made to the Danada Veterinary Hospital in Wheaton, Illinois, where Haley worked for many years. She was studying to become a veterinarian at the University of Tennessee.
Please visit my Etsy page and participate in a celebration of life for someone you love.
Another way I have spent my days was to create a quilt in her memory.
This quilt was started when we began taking Haley for radiation and physical therapy following her diagnosis of a stage 4 malignant brain tumor in November of 2018. Appliquing the blocks gave me peace while I prayed for a cure, a healing, a full recovery, and then for more time. Alas she passed away one week before her 21st birthday, almost three years after her initial diagnosis. The pattern I used was taken from Sue Garman’s “Sarah’s Revival.” Quickly it became “Haley’s Revival.” I did do some altering of the pattern to make it a larger 98″x98″ size. The applique was completed before her death, but the piecing of the blocks, sashing and borders were finished three months after. With much love and sadness, the hand quilting began on January 28, 2022, taking 487.5 peaceful and therapeutic hours, and was finished 10 months later on November 26, 2022. In white thread I stitched her name inconspicuously with birth date and death date. The label on the back is a pocket and is filled with a written page of her story and a couple of photographs. The completion was truly a help in my grief recovery. We miss her with every breath we take.
And then I began the design and creation of the angel wings in celebration of her life and beautiful memories made with all of us.
Amities, Averyclaire
Zippered Bag
15 Feb 2018 14 Comments
in Boutis, French, French Boutis, Quilting, Sewing, Uncategorized, Zip Bag Tags: Boutis, Design, French Boutis, Patterns, Zip Bag
This past year and already into the new year I have been busy teaching French Boutis classes and designing new patterns. I also have done several quilt trunk shows for quilt groups.
After many months my new French Boutis Zippered Bag pattern is published on Etsy as a complete kit and as a PDF downloadable pattern. The small bag when completed measures about 5 x 7.5 inches. It has a 12 inch zipper and is lined with beautiful fabric.
Once again French Boutis is an ancient art. Simply done, two pieces of special fabric are sewn together with a small running stitch (quilting stitch) on drawn pattern lines. Then a double strand of Boutis yarn is drawn through the channels from the reverse side giving the piece a raised relief. (Similar to trapunto but has no batting.) Traditional Boutis is done on white batiste fabric. However, I have fallen in love with the Provencal bright colors. Hence my colorful kits.
Luscious Provencal colors are available with the kit including beautiful lining fabrics. The fabric is 100% pima cotton and the linings are carefully chosen 100% cotton quilting fabrics.
Alas there has not been much time left for my other interests such as stitching. I hope this year allows more time and better health!
Please visit me on Etsy or Instagram at “Averyclaire222“.
Amities, Averyclaire
Boutis Kits on Sale
27 Nov 2017 2 Comments
in Boutis, Christmas, Hearts, Ornaments, Sale, Scissor Case, Uncategorized, Valentine Heart Tags: Boutis, Christmas, Hearts, Ornaments, Sale, Scissor Case, Valentine Heart
For one month, my patterns and kits are on sale for 10% off.
Please visit my Etsy site and try your hand at a beginner Boutis project!
Each kit contains all the materials necessary to complete your project. Give it a try!
Three Ornaments
Two Hearts
One Scissor Case in your choice of colors!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Averyclaire
Autumn Returns … and so do I
27 Sep 2017 32 Comments
in Autumn, Boutis, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, French Boutis, Quilting, Quilts Tags: Autumn, Boutis, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, French Boutis, Needlework, Quilting, Quilts, Thank You
Some of my Autumn favorites! THANK YOU FOR RETURNING HERE to see what’s new!
Yes, it’s been nearly two months since I last posted! I have been in absentia! Sometimes life gets in the way of having fun! But I won’t bore you with details.
One thing I must announce to all is that I have ended my “finishing business.” It was creative and wonderful to help others with making their gorgeous stitching into lovely “finishes.” But it became so busy that there was no time left for my own stitching, gardening, quilting, boutis or even family time. My health was not perfect and life became stressful. So TY to all those who trusted me with their projects. I was happy to serve all of you for those two years.
With my free time I am feeling better and slowly getting back to normal. Here is a quilt I had in the works for some time now finally complete. You can zoom in on it to see details of the quilting and lovely batiks. NOTE: Yes, it is hand embroidered with a black/brown DMC thread.
And another one in the works:
My last stitching project begun 1-1/2 years ago remains undone:
But I have been working on some new Boutis designs seen here. Patterns soon to be available.
And a large white on white 24″x24″ piece for myself.
And last but not least are my patterns seen below that I sell on my Etsy page. I also have been teaching them to needlework and quilting groups.
Hand dyed batiste will soon be available for purchase on my Etsy page as well.
Amities, in friendship, Averyclaire
March Already and Halfway Over!
15 Mar 2017 25 Comments
in Boutis, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, Flat Folds, Gifts, Les Muguets Day, Needlebook, Project Bags, Project Roll Tags: Boutis, Cross-Stitch, Gifts, Les Muguets Day, Project Bag, Project Roll, Spring
Hello Spring? Coming soon? It doesn’t seem like it the past couple of days. At least not here in Chicago, nor all of those other lucky people who were blasted with FEET of snow! I am used to Mother Nature and her surprises for us in March and April sometimes. But I won’t show you photos of the mess! I am thinking Spring today. This tiny little pillow was once a free pattern out there on the internet, but it seems to have disappeared. I love it because it not only had a Shamrock for March, but extends into May for Les Muguets Day (May 1st…in France) with the tiny little Lilies of the Valley. I believe it was by Danybrod.
Finishes better late than never:
This one was stitched by Southpaw Stitcher and it is one of my favorites! I LOVE the lone deer and the quiet dusk-like feeling you get with the blue linen and barren trees!
Southpaw also did this Winter Cardinal. She LOVES stitching birds and has quite a collection of them!
These were gifts for the holiday each one done with the recipient in mind. A project roll with a matching project bag! The project rolls open on the end and can hold thread, scissors, needles, patterns, etc. Fun to make and they include charm pulls on the bags dedicated to each person’s interests.
Here is another winter cardinal. This one is Little Red Bird from the Little Stitcher Shop on Etsy. It is SO nice to just go on-line and be able to download a PDF pattern! If you haven’t tried it…you need to! Instant gratification!
I do a LOT of pillows for my client Pat and this one is fun and amusing! I love the fact that the dog has no eyes. He/she could be ANYONE’S pet! And that HUGE bone…why surely that is any dog’s dream! I love the colorful fantasy flowers as well. Fun just to look at!
Here is another one done by Pat. Brings me into Spring for sure. It is so soft and delicate and the purples and blues so pastel. I hand-dyed a silk ribbon to match. Beautiful.
This Lavender Needlebook was stitched by Lynn. I adore lavender (although I can NEVER seem to get it to grow in my garden). The inside has a lavender lining and wool lavender pages for needles. I hand-dyed more silk ribbon for the closure. Lovely.
New Techniques and Stitchers Alive and Well…
It has been very busy the last couple of months stitching French Boutis needlework. I will be teaching a couple of classes in French Boutis coming up soon and I have been busy with stitching more patterns for other classes and kits. It is nice to know that there are adventurous women out there wanting to learn this ancient art. So often we look at our young people today and wonder if the Needle Arts will disappear. I don’t think so. We had this discussion just the other day at a needlework group with waning membership. One friend mentioned that she knows of a lot of young people doing stitching…they have lots of digital connections and just are not joiners of our “old” needle work groups! (So true Marj!)
So keep on stitching everyone and keep on learning new techniques and methods and pass them along to our young people everywhere!
Amities, Averyclaire
French Boutis
28 Jan 2017 31 Comments
in Boutis, Hand Quilting, Needlearts, Needlework, Quilting, Uncategorized, Valentine Heart Tags: Boutis, French Boutis, Hand Quilting, Valentine Heart
The past month or so I have been avidly working on designing more French Boutis patterns. Today I published one just in time for Valentine’s Day on my Etsy site.
This French needlework technique is easy to do if you like handwork. Stitching the piece is rather like hand quilting, a small running stitch, on two pieces of batiste. Then the boutis yarn is drawn through the channels by inserting a tapestry needle from the back between the two layers of fabric. Voila!
In my kit I provide the pattern, instructions with photos and finishing technique, the white and pink batiste needed to complete two hearts, a white sun catcher and a pink sachet. Also included are the two needles necessary for stitching and toothpicks needed for stuffing in the tail ends of the yarn cording. Other materials you provide are white and pink thread, a ribbon or cord for finishing, and filling for your sachet.
I am working on about six other designs as well. If you love handwork and would love to try this ancient French Needlework Art, give it a try. There is also a digital pattern available. It’s a small piece, easy to work up quickly…just in time for Valentine’s Day! I also teach French Boutis to anyone interested.
Thank you to my dear French friends, Nicole, who introduced me to this beautiful art nearly 15 years ago with a gift for my newly born granddaughter, to Maggy and Nicole, who have supplied me with lots of books and magazines for inspiration, to Elisabeth, who sent me a piece of her own hand worked Boutis, and last but not least to Elizabeth from Canada at Seams French who shares this passion with me!
Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! (The comment form is at the top of the page under the date)
Stay tuned for more finishing work next time!
Amities, Averyclaire
My Clients Do Such Lovely Work
09 Nov 2016 12 Comments
in Boutis, Christmas, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, Flat Folds, Garden, Needlebook, Ornaments Tags: Autumn, Boutis, Christmas Ornaments, Cross-Stitch, Finishing, Flat Folds, Pincushion
Well, I survived the hacking of my email, although I spent a full day on my computer changing passwords, etc. I don’t know if that will help any, but it made me feel good. I had been meaning to do that anyway.
Each time I do finishing for clients, I am competely in awe of the lovely stitching that they create. I always wish that the item was mine when it is finished. Alas, with all the finishing I do, there is little time left for my own creations. I promised myself in the coming months to save a day or two a week just for me! I actually did finish something which I will show another time.
For now, feast your eyes on the lovely work of my clients!
Pat did the first one here. It is from the Plum Street Sampler Leaflet entitled “Good and Plenty.” She found the perfect burgundy mini pom pom trim to go with it! I love pieces like this that go all the way through Autumn!
Beth managed to create some beautiful beaded ornaments. First is this adorable turkey named “Bruce.” She has a lovely story to go along with it after cooking a 40 lb. turkey one year! Nice memories.
The next she did is this Sailboat Ornament. It’s very elegant with the rayon floss I used for cording and is perfect with the “sea” themed backing I had in my stash.
And talk about elegant…well this Santa is quite stunning! His beard is made of all beads! A work of art! And I finished it will a green velvet back.
And the last one for Beth is this lovely needle book/ornament. This was a gift to her stitched with her friends’ initials. How lovely is that?
Nancy stitched this beautiful reindeer from last year’s Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue. The color of the linen she chose for this is perfect for the wintery day it depicts!
And Betsy…well there are no words to describe this luscious sampler. It is from By the Bay Needle Art and is called Serenity Harbor Sampler. She changed the flowers from pink to yellow and the large house at the bottom to yellow as well. It took her a year to complete and is stunning! I added a coordinating plain fabric backing and used handmade cording. I painted the dowels to match the cording and the look is complete!
Vivian made this lovely primitive pillow from the pattern “Christmastide” by Notforgotten Farm. She said it reminded her of she and her sister decorating the Christmas tree! I used the antique lace she gave me and I hand-dyed silk ribbon to coordinate with the pillow. It is a very pretty piece.
Vivian is an extraordinary quilter, but loves to do cross-stitch too. This one is called “Deck the Halls” by Stacy Nash and was made into a pinkeep filled with walnut shells by Vivian. She asked me to attach the mini pom pom trim to it after it was finished, but I like it better within the seam allowance. So I took it apart and finished it with the trim in the seam. She loved it that way.
And last but not least is a simple photo of the lovely “Princess Diana Serviceberry Tree” in my yard. The colors are so lovely in the Fall. It doesn’t last long but when it turns colors, it’s beautiful. Alas, I think our Autumn is coming to an end making way for the fun-filled holiday season.
Once more I have to put in a small advertisement for those of you who have not tried French Boutis Needlework yet. On my Etsy site you will find an ornament kit with three French Boutis Christmas Ornaments. I am in the process of designing more Boutis patterns so I hope you will give them a try.
In friendship, Averyclaire
A Few More Photo Finishes
17 Oct 2016 9 Comments
in Boutis, Christmas, Cross-Stitch, Disney, Finishing, Flat Folds, French, Gifts, Halloween, Hardanger, Ornaments, Pillows, Wall Hanging Tags: Boutis, Christmas, Christmas Ornaments, Cross-Stitch, Disney, Finishing, Flat Folds, French, Halloween, Hardanger, Pillows, Wallhanging
Here is another post with photo finishes! The finishing studio is humming where each week my clients challenge me with their work. There is always something new and interesting to see. Enjoy the eye candy handiwork of my clients!
Vivian did this lovely Brenda Gervais small pillow “Merry Noel”. Since the fringe was unavailable for her, I hand dyed some mini ball fringe to match. It’s perfect. The soft colors in this piece are beautiful. Nice work Vivian.
And Laura did an equally beautiful job on this Stacy Nash medium sized pillow entitled “Pine Tree Farm”. She gave me handmade antique lace to use as an accent around the pillow edge and the perfect fabric backing. It’s gorgeous! And the colors in this one are equally soft and delicate. Lovely!
Judy created this beautiful white work pillow. She wanted a brown backing behind the stitching, so I used the same brown fabric for handmade cording and the pillow back. I included a zippered back so the pillow insert could be taken out if needed. Such intricate detailed stitching!
Pat did a couple of gifts for little ones this time around. She requested a rather large flatfold for the first one. I added the “sticky kisses” across the bottom and the cute little matching buttons. On the second one I added a handmade multi-colored cording with multi-colored french knots along the accent fabric. And for privacy, in the photos I have deleted the birth date and weight from both.
Pat’s needles were on fire this last month and she created this very large wall hanging for someone who just LOVES Halloween. The tomb-like shape just adds to the fun!
She also did these two cute wall hangings as Christmas gifts. All the little girls seem to LOVE the Disney Princesses, especially the mermaids. Here is one of Ariel!
And another one of Snow White…this one is certainly elegant with the rosy red apple and the red rattail trim around the perimeter of the stitching! I LOVE the Disney fabrics on the back! These little girls will love to look at both front AND back!!
If you are interested in learning Boutis (a simple running stitch and corded French needle work technique), I now have on my Etsy page not only a kit for the three ornaments I designed (containing ALL materials needed for the three ornaments), but a “pattern only” choice, as well as the “hard to find” special cotton yarn that is needed for the kit.
I have lots more photo finishes…so come back again soon! Thanks so much for your continuing visits!
Amities, Averyclaire
Finishing Photos Finally
01 Oct 2016 10 Comments
in Boutis, Christmas, Eiffel Tower, Finishing, Flat Folds, French, Needleroll, Project Bags, Project Roll Tags: Boutis, Christmas, Eiffel Tower, Finishing, Flat Folds, French, Needleroll, Project Bag, Project Roll
It’s been a while since I posted some finishing photos except for what was done for the Boutis Class. So I am trying to catch up on showing some of the lovely things my clients have done!
Pat quickly finished this very pretty needleroll. It came as a kit and I did the finishing for her. What a lovely piece!
Nancy was very busy stitching up a couple of gifts for a good friend. I love the nautical theme.
I kept the nautical theme going with the “whale-like” stitching on the accent piece. Click on photo to zoom in a bit.
And I added some of that accent color to the back as well!
And here is Nancy’s second gift item…sailboats…made to match the first one!
For this one I added “wave-like” stitching on the accent piece and some accent color on the back as well.
Vivian requested a simple Christmas pillow with ten rusty bells. I love the backing she chose to go with it. Simple and elegant.
A new project roll is born with a hidden place to keep your thread and scissors, etc.
And a couple more project bags were finished with a French theme. Eiffel Tower on one with an Eiffel Tower zipper pull and a Boutis needlework piece mounted in the center of the second one, which also has an Eiffel Tower zipper pull.
Thank you again to all my clients who keep my “in-box” full of beautifully stitched pieces. More to come as soon as I have the photos ready and downloaded!
Amities, Averyclaire
Averyclaire 