Burlap napkin ring with freestanding lace acorn from Embroidery Library’s Fall Favorites collection. I’m going to have to press that burlap runner into flat submission with heavy starch and my press!
Thanksgiving is such a joyful holiday. Gathering with family and friends, counting our many blessings, retelling stories of earlier celebrations of plenty, remembering loved ones who joined us before, and enjoying delicious food.
It’s always a happy time. And it always reminds me of a scrap patchwork quilt, with diners coming from locations all over the map, ages from the elderly to the very young. This year our table will seat guests from 86 to 18 years old, from Nebraska, Indiana, Florida and we hope from New Jersey. Conversation will come from a pastor, school teacher, retired missionary, engineer, college student, and me, a babbling needleworker/passionate grandmother/blogger/gardener/etc.
This year we are looking forward to welcoming a crowd of out-of-town family for Thanksgiving week and to our harvest table. They hail from Nebraska, Indiana, Florida, and perhaps (we do hope!) New Jersey!
So many preparations are being made for this big holiday. New curtains for 7 windows in one guest room have been sewn as well as new pillowcases, and more home dec projects. A sewing room clean-up has even begun, but that is a years’ long process!
When Embroidery Library posted a photo of a napkin with a freestanding lace acorn resting on a dinner napkin, the image spoke to me. It was just what I wanted for my Thanksgiving table. The collection includes a turkey, chrysanthemum, and a maple leaf in addition to the acorn, another leaf and pumpkin which I chose. After my selection of these, 3 of each were made for my 9 napkins.
Burlap napkin ring with freestanding lace pumpkin from Embroidery Library’s Fall Favorites collection. That waffling burlap runner WILL be flat very soon, if it takes a full can of starch!
It is recommended that the same thread be used in the bobbin and needle. It takes some time to wind matching bobbins, but the finished look is worth it. DMC 50/2 cotton machine embroidery thread was used for a slightly lighter look. This generates a LOT of lint, so it required very frequent cleaning of my Brother Dream Machine. FYI, 2 ornaments fit in a 5×7 frame.
If you have never done freestanding lace before, Embroidery Library has an excellent free tutorial. I embroidered on two layers of Brother water soluble stabilizer which worked perfectly. Excess was cut away and the stabilizer washed away easily and completely.
Burlap napkin ring with freestanding leaf pumpkin from Embroidery Library’s Fall Favorites collection. That waffling burlap runner WILL be flat very soon, if it takes a full can of starch!
After folding my napkins, I determined that a 1.5 x 11″ wrap of burlap sufficed. With three strands of burlap, one vertical stitch was taken through the overlapped ends of the burlap with a tapestry needle. It was then threaded through the ring at the top of each ornament and tied into a bow.
Looking back at one of my earlier Thanksgiving posts, I came across these images which I think you might enjoy. Norman Rockwell’s traditional holiday feast reflects my personal preference for the mood and setting for this day of gratefulness. The other shows a more contemporary observance.
Whichever suits you, I hope on November 25 you will have reasons to celebrate the many blessings we enjoy.
Traditional Thanksgiving
Contemporary Thanksgiving
Required disclosure: I am a paid Ambassador for Brother USA. Not required: I genuinely love my Brother sewing machines.
At Thanksgiving, with so many blessings, I think it is especially meaningful and important to express your appreciation and love to the important people in your life. Make a phone call, send a card or make a dishtowel for Turkey Day.
