Jun 12, 2009

Quilts 4Kids + Embroidery Tutorials and Free Cross Stitch Patterns



If you follow my blog at all, you know that I have spend my life as both a seamstress and a quilter helping others. I do my best to donate up to 25 quilts a year to charitable organizations and have been featured on Michele Foster's Quilting Gallery, Project Linus and many other extremely well known sites.

As I give suggestions for creating gifts for others, I incorporate as many free links, patterns and tutorials as I have time to make, create, or find online to honor others and the work they do.

At the end of this post you will find many, many fabulous free patterns, tutorials and helpful advice from others far more talented in their specific arenas that I am. My goal is to showcase them, link directly to them if at all possible, and always give credit where it is correctly deserved.

The one I am sharing today is Quilts 4 Kids is a world-wide effort involving a wonderful cross stitchery group in Australia dedicated to creating and donating squares for children with long-term or life-threatening diseases. Squares are created by individual stitchers with a selected child in mind. Themed squares are stitched on a sign-up basis and stitchers can choose their own patterns and requests. Once you choose a child that you would like to stitch for, you use a linking button on that child's website to link to a sign-up form.

And while specific children/themes can be selected, any and all stitched squares are welcomed and use for non-specific 'emergency' donations.

Being able to see a picture of that child and read about their medical conditions creates a wonderful heart opening experience for each and every stitcher involved and allows quilts to be custom designed for that child's interests.

There is no charge for the quilt to the family and free patterns are given with specific directions for quilt blocks.

List of wonderful FREE Cross Stitch Patterns:

Animals from Alita
Animals and Insects from About.com
Bev's Country Cottage X Stitch
Beyonds Download Cross Stitch Patterns
Carol’s Cross Stitch
Charles Craft Free Designs
The Chart Shop
Crystal’s Cross Stitch
Cyberstitcher’s Pattern Library
Free Cross Stitch Pattern.comFree Patterns.comFree Patterns Online
Jenny’s Free Cross Stitch
Mes Grilles Gratuites


Free Charts
Please choose from the categories below:
Animals
Baby
Birds
Birthdays
Bonfire Night
Cats & dogs
Celebrity
Christmas
Clothing
Designer Exclusives
Easter
Fairies
Flowers
Food
For Dad
For Mum
Free Charts for Frames
Fun sayings
Halloween
Home & garden
Ireland
Keep Fit
Nautical
Office
People
Retirement
Romance
Sea life
Teddies
Transport
Travel
UK
USA
Weddings


Shona's Place, crochet and stitch
Stitch X
Vic Stitch Free Cross Stitch Charts
Wonderful Cross stitch
Yiotas Cross Stitch
And from X Stitch Happy: http://www.xstitchhappy.com/

Acorns and Leaves Scissor Fob




  • Alphabets for Personalizations
  • Baseball Charts
  • Best Mom Needleroll
  • Busy Bees Needlework Set - Needlecase
  • Busy Bees Needlework Set - Pincushion
  • Busy Bees Needlework Set - Scissor Case and Fob
  • Cheetah/Leopard Biscornu
  • Cheetah/Leopard Needle Case
  • Cheetah/Leopard Print Scissor Fob
  • Cheetah/Leopard Scissors Case
  • Cheetah/Leopard Scissors Fob New
  • Coffee Break Scissor Fob
  • Coffee Mug Mat
  • Cross Stitch, Coffee & Cats
  • Dragonfly Scissor Fob
  • Fall Harvest
  • Falling Leaves
  • Fern Frond Chart
  • Football Chart
  • Friendship Heart
  • Friendship Heart Scissors Fob
  • Garden Chart
  • Gingerbread Man Scissor Fob
  • Gingerbread Treasure Bag
  • Gone Stitching Scissor Fob
  • Guiltless Dragonfly Biscornu and Needle Case
  • Guiltless Dragonfly Scissors Pocket & Fob
  • Humming Along Scissor Fob
  • Hummingbird Biscornu & Needle Case
  • Hummingbird Hoedown
  • Hummingbird Scissors Pocket & Fob
  • Hummingbird Triangle Scissors Case
  • Jewels of Summer Bookmark or Needleroll
  • Jewels of Summer Scissor Fob
  • Koi Pond
  • Kortney's Hearts Part 1
  • Kortney's Hearts Part 2
  • Kortney's Hearts Part 3
  • Maria Scissors Fob
  • My Stitching Friend Double Heart
  • Needlework Set Part 1 - Scissor Case
  • Needlework Set Part 2 - Scissor Fob
  • Needlework Set Part 3 - Biscornu
  • Needlework Set part 4 - Needlecase
  • Nine Lives & Quilt Cats Scissor Fobs
  • Octagon Snowflake Fob or Ornament
  • Plant Kindness
  • Princess of Perpetual Projects
  • Pumpkin Fob
  • Quaker-Style Scissors Fob
  • Queen of Procrastination
  • Roberta's Bunnies Scissors Fobs & Biscornus
  • Roberta's Cats Biscornu
  • Roberta's Cats Scissors Fob
  • Roberta's Flowers Scissors Fobs & Biscornus
  • Roberta's Pups Scissors Fob & Biscornu
  • Sandcastle Scissor Fob
  • Scarecrow Stand-Up
  • Scissors Crosspatch
  • Small Heart with Hummer Scissor Fob
  • Small Octagon Snowflake Fob
  • Small Scissors Crosspatch
  • Small Scissors Fobs Mix & Match
  • Snowman Mug
  • Snowman Scissor Fob
  • Sorry, Gone Stitchin'
  • Stork Scissors Square
  • Summer Sizzles Scissor Fobs
  • Swirly Acorn Fob
  • Swirly Autumn
  • Three Flowers
  • Three Pumpkins Scissors Fob
  • Where Stitchers Meet

    • And if you don't mind signing in at this site, and having a password, these very popular x stitch patterns are also free:
    Bright Butterflies
    Dragonflies
    Sweetheart Roses
    Butterflies Are Free
    Garden Buddies
    Today We Dedicate
    Garden Guardian
    Floral Teacup
    Country Girls
    Classic Flowers


    Free charts from Needles and Threads:

    Stitch Dictionary from the amazing Sharon B. at pintangle.com

    http://pintangle.com/stitch-dictionary/

    This Stitch Dictionary of hand embroidery stitches enables directly links to the website of the original creator and designer of these fabulous tutorials. 

     If all I did was share her link, you wouldn't visit her, this way you can see just how much as has compiled while I still honor and respect direct linkage to her! Please thank any and all of us who share our time consuming work with you as we do it out of great love for the art of stitching, sewing, and quilting.

     Thank you and many blessings to Sharon for sharing her amazing work with all of us!!!!

    Stitch Dictionary of hand embroidery stitches Index

    A . B . C . D . E .F . G . H . I . J . K . L . M . N . O . P . Q . R . S . T . U . V . W . X . Y . Z
    A
    A sample of Arrowhead Stitch used  in contemporary embroidery
    B
    Back Stitch
    Back Stitch beaded see Beaded Back stitch
    Back Stitched spider’s web see Whipped wheel
    Back Stitched Wheel see Whipped Wheel
    Barb Stitch
    Barb Stitch Beaded see Beaded Barb Stitch
    Barred Chain
    Basque Stitch
    Beaded Alternating Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch
    Beaded Back Stitch
    Beaded Barb Stitch
    Beaded Butterfly chain stitch
    Beaded Buttonhole Stitch
    Beaded Eastern Stitch
    Beaded Feathered Chain Stitch
    Beaded Fern stitch
    Beaded Hedebo Edge
    Beaded Herringbone
    Beaded Knotted Buttonhole Band
    Beaded Linked Chain Stitch
    Beaded Lock Stitch
    Beaded Long Tail Chain
    Beaded Looped Cretan
    Beaded Oyster Stitch
    Beaded Shell Chain Stitch
    Beaded Stitch see Coral stitch
    Beaded Triangular Buttonhole Stitch
    Beaded Vandyke Stitch
    Berlin stitch see Cross Stitch
    Berry Stitch
    Blanket stitch see Buttonhole Stitch
    Blanket stitch up and down see Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch
    Bonnet Stitch
    Bouclé Stitch
    Breton Stitch
    Briar stitch see Feather Stitch
    Bullion Buttonhole Stitch
    Bullion Knot
    Bullion stitch see Bullion Knot
    Bullion Vandyke stitch
    Butterfly Chain
    Butterfly Chain beaded see Beaded Butterfly Chain stitch
    Buttonhole Bar
    Buttonhole barb stitch see Barb stitch
    Buttonhole disk see Buttonhole Wheel
    Buttonhole Eyelet Flower
    Buttonhole Flowers see Buttonhole wheel
    Buttonhole Picot made with bullion knot (version 1)
    Buttonhole Picot made with chain (version 2)
    Buttonhole Rings see Buttonhole Wheel
    Buttonhole Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Alternating Up and Down
    Buttonhole Stitch: Barb stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Beaded see Beaded Buttonhole Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Beaded Barb Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Beaded Alternating Up and Down Buttonhole
    Buttonhole Stitch: Beaded Triangular Buttonhole
    Buttonhole Stitch: Bonnet
    Buttonhole Stitch: Bullion see Bullion Buttonhole
    Buttonhole Stitch: Buttonhole Bar
    Buttonhole Stitch: Crossed buttonhole
    Buttonhole Stitch: Eyelet flower see Buttonhole Eyelet Flower
    Buttonhole Stitch: Fancy Bobbin Edging
    Buttonhole Stitch: Feather Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Feathered Up and Down Buttonhole
    Buttonhole Stitch: Interlaced Up and Down Buttonhole
    Buttonhole Stitch: Knotted Buttonhole Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Mirrored see Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Picot
    Buttonhole Stitch: Reversed Buttonholed Bar
    Buttonhole Stitch: Sailors Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Sailors Edge Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Top Knotted Buttonhole Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Triangular Buttonhole Stitch
    Buttonhole Stitch: Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch
    Buttonhole Wheel
    Buttonhole Wheel Cup
    Buttonhole with extra line see Reversed Buttonhole Bar
    Buttonholed Cable Chain
    Buttonholed Cable Chain Alternating
    Buttonholed Double Chain Stitch
    Buttonholed Herringbone
    C
    Cable Chain Stitch
    Cable Chain Stitch: Buttonholed Cable Chain
    Cable Chain Stitch: Interlaced Cable Chain
    Cable Chain Stitch: Knotted Cable Chain
    Cable Chain Stitch: Slipped Cable Chain 
    Cable Chain Stitch: Threaded Cable Chain
    Cable Stitch see Cable Chain Stitch
    Candlewicking Knot see Colonial Knot
    Cast on stitch
    Caterpillar stitch see Bullion Knot
    Catch stitch see Herringbone Stitch
    Chain Stitch:
    Chain Stitch: Alternating barred chain
    Chain Stitch: Alternating Double Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Barred chain
    Chain Stitch: Beaded Butterfly Chain
    Chain Stitch: Beaded Shell Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Beaded Oyster Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Berry Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Butterfly Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Buttonholed Cable Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Cable Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Cable Chain Stitch Slipped 
    Chain Stitch: Crested Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Detached Chain
    Chain Stitch: Double see Berry Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Double Zig Zag Coral stitch
    Chain Stitch: Feathered Chain
    Chain Stitch: Interlaced Cable Chain
    Chain Stitch: Knotted Cable Chain
    Chain Stitch: Linked Double Chain
    Chain Stitch: Long Tail Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Magic Chain stitch
    Chain Stitch: Oyster stitch
    Chain Stitch: Raised Chain Band V1
    Chain Stitch: Raised Chain Band V2
    Chain Stitch: Shell Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Slipped Cable Chain 
    Chain Stitch: Spiked Knotted Cable Chain
    Chain Stitch: Threaded Cable Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Triple Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Twisted Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Whipped Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Whipped Long Tail Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Woven Detached Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Zig Zag Chain Stitch
    Chain Stitch: Zig Zag Coral stitch Double
    Chained Bar Stitch
    Chained Cross Stitch
    Chained Feather Stitch see Feathered Chain Stitch
    Checkered Chain stitch see Magic Chain
    Chevron Stitch:
    Chevron Stitch: Half Chevron Stitch
    Chinese Stitch see Pekinese Stitch
    Closed Base Needlewoven Picot
    Closed Herringbone Stitch
    Cloud Filling
    Coil stitch see Bullion knot
    Colonial Knot
    Convent stitch see Couching
    Coral knot see Coral Stitch
    Coral knot with extra wrap see Wrapped Coral Stitch
    Coral Stitch
    Coral Stitch: Wrapped Coral Stitch
    Coral Stitch: Zig Zag Coral Stitch
    Couching or Simple Laid Work:
    Crested Chain Stitch
    Cretan Stitch:
    Cretan Stitch: Beaded Looped Cretan Stitch
    Cretan Stitch: Knotted Cretan Stitch
    Cretan Stitch: Laced Cretan see Raised Cretan Stitch
    Cretan Stitch: Looped Cretan Stitch
    Cretan Stitch: Open Cretan Stitch
    Cretan Stitch: Raised Cretan Stitch
    Crewel Stitch see Stem Stitch
    Cross Stitch:
    Cross Stitch: alternating see Alternating Cross Stitch
    Cross Stitch: Chained Cross Stitch
    Cross Stitch: Flower see Woven Cross stitch
    Cross Stitch: Flower see Raised Cross Stitch Flower
    Cross Stitch: Half
    Cross Stitch: Quarter
    Cross Stitch: Raised see Raised Cross Stitch Flower Stitch
    Cross Stitch: Rice stitch
    Cross Stitch: Whipped see Raised Cross Stitch Flower
    Cross Stitch: Woven see Woven Cross Stitch
    Crossed Buttonhole Stitch
    Crossed Corners see Rice Stitch
    Crossed Feather Stitch
    D
    Daisy stitch see Detached Chain Stitch
    Damask stitch see Satin Stitch
    Darning stitch see Running Stitch
    Detached Chain Stitch
    Detached Chain Double see Berry Stitch
    Diagonal Satin Stitch
    Diamond Stitch
    Disk Stitch see Buttonhole Wheel
    Double Back stitch see Closed Herringbone Stitch
    Double Detached Chain see Berry Stitch
    Double Herringbone Stitch
    Double Knot stitch see Palestrina Stitch
    Double Lazy Daisy see Berry Stitch
    Double Lock Stitch
    Double Zig Zag Coral stitch
    E
    Eastern Stitch
    Eastern Stitch Beaded see Beaded Eastern Stitch
    Egyptian Buttonhole see Eastern Stitch
    F
    G
    German knot stitch see Coral Stitch
    Grub knot see Bullion Knot

    Half Chevron Stitch worked in hand dyed cotton perle #5
    H
    Half Buttonhole Wheel
    Half Chevron Stitch
    Half Cross Stitch
    Hedebo Beaded Edge see Beaded Hedebo Edge
    Herringbone Ladder Filling see Raised Cretan Stitch
    Herringbone Stitch:
    Herringbone Stitch: Beaded Herringbone
    Herringbone Stitch: Buttonholed Herringbone
    Herringbone Stitch: Closed Herringbone Stitch
    Herringbone Stitch: Double back see Closed Herringbone Stitch
    Herringbone Stitch: Double Herringbone 1
    Herringbone Stitch: Fancy Herringbone Stitch
    Herringbone Stitch: Raised Herringbone Band
    Herringbone Square
    I
    J
    L
    Laced Cretan Stitch see Raised Cretan Stitch
    Laced Herringbone Square
    Laid Work see Couching
    Lazy daisy stitch see Detached Chain Stitch
    Linked Chain Stitch
    Linked Double Chain
    Lock Stitch
    Lock Stitch: Beaded Lock Stitch
    Lock Stitch: Double Lock Stitch
    Long Armed Palestrina see Palestrina Stitch
    Long Armed Feather stitch see Cretan Stitch
    Long Armed Fly Stitch see Fly Stitch
    Long Legged Chain stitch see Long Tail Chain Stitch
    Long Legged Palestrina see Palestrina Stitch
    Long Tack Knot Stitch see Pistil Stitch
    Long Tail Chain Stitch
    Long Tail Chain Stitch Whipped
    Loop Stitch see Detached Chain Stitch
    Looped Cretan Stitch
    M
    Magic Chain Stitch
    Mirrored Buttonhole see Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch
    Mossoul stitch see Herringbone Stitch
    N
    Needlewoven Picot leaf see Closed Base Needlewoven Picot
    Needlewoven Picot Open Base see Open Needlewoven Picot
    O
    P
    Padded Satin Stitch
    Palestrina Stitch
    Pattern Darning see Running stitch
    Pekinese Stitch
    Persian stitch see Cretan Stitch
    Persian stitch see Herringbone Stitch
    Picot stitch see Detached Chain Stitch
    Pistil Stitch
    Plaited Feather Stitch
    Plaited stitch see Herringbone Stitch
    Point de chainette see Chain Stitch
    Point de marque see Cross Stitch
    Point de sable see Back Stitch
    Porto Rico rose see Bullion Knot
    Portuguese Knotted Stem Stitch see Portuguese Stem Stitch
    Portuguese Border Stitch
    Portuguese Stem Stitch
    Post stitch see Bullion Knot
    Pulled Buttonhole Wheel
    Pulled Satin Stitch
    Q
    Rice stitch worked in a freeform contemporary manner in a mix of threads on even weave linen
    R
    S
    Sailors Edge Stitch
    Sailors Stitch
    Sampler stitch see Cross Stitch
    Satin Stitch
    Satin Stitch: Diagonal Satin Stitch
    Satin Stitch: Outlined Satin Stitch
    Satin Stitch: Padded Satin Stitch
    Satin Stitch: Raised see Outlined Satin Stitch
    Satin Stitch: Slanted see Diagonal Satin Stitch
    Scroll Stitch
    Shadow Stitch see Closed Herringbone Stitch
    Sheaf Stitch
    Shell Chain Stitch
    Siennese Stitch
    Single Coral Stitch see Feather Stitch
    Single Feather Stitch see Feather Stitch
    Single knotted line stitch see Scroll Stitch
    Single Wheatear see Wheatear Stitch
    Slanted Satin stitch see Diagonal Satin Stitch
    Slipped Cable Chain Stitch 
    Slipped Detached Chain Stitch
    Smyrna stitch see Palestrina Stitch
    Snail trail see Coral stitch
    Sorbello Stitch
    South Kensington Stitch see Stem Stitch
    Spanish Feather Stitch
    Spanish Knotted Feather stitch see Spanish Feather Stitch
    Spiked Knotted Cable Chain
    Square Boss Stitch
    Square Herringbone see Herringbone Square Stitch
    Stalk stitch see Stem Stitch
    Star eyelet stitch see Algerian Eye
    Star stitch see Algerian Eye
    Stem Stitch
    Straight Sided Feather Stitch
    String of Pearls see Coral Stitch 
    Stroke stitch see Straight stitch
    T
    Tall chain stitch see Detached Chain Stitch
    Tambour stitch see Chain Stitch
    Thorn Stitch see Knotted Feather Stitch
    Threaded Cable Chain
    Tied coral stitch see Palestrina Stitch
    Tied loop stitch see Detached Chain Stitch
    Top Knotted Buttonhole
    Triangular Buttonhole
    Triangular Buttonhole: Beaded Triangular buttonhole
    Triangular Feather Stitch
    Triple Chain Stitch
    Tulip Stitch see Slipped Detached Chain stitch
    Turkman Stitch
    Twilling Stitch see Palestrina Stitch
    Twisted Chain
    Twisted daisy border see Basque Stitch
    Twisted daisy stitch see Basque Stitch
    Twisted knot stitch see French Knot
    Twisted Lattice Band
    Twisted Satin Stitch
    Twisted Satin Stitch with a bead
    Twisted Zigzag Chain stitch see Spanish Feather Stitch
    U
    V
    W
    X
    Y
    Y’ stitch see Fly Stitch
    Z
    shown above:
    Julian's quilt....read about Julian and how much he loves his quilt:
    http://www.quilts4kids.com/html/julian_b.html

    To see photos of children still needing quilts    :
    http://www.quilts4kids.com/html/kids_of_2009.html



    Michele Bilyeu Quilts With Heart and Hands for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) Join in my Liberated Quilting Challenge...and buy or donate a quilt, today!! We are changing the world...one little quilt at a time.Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska. Sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join in the Liberated Quilting Challenge and make or donate small art quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!


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    3 comments:

    Scrappy quilter said...

    Awesome list. I'll be checking some of these out later. What a wonderful thing to be making these squares for children.

    8:14 AM
    Finn said...

    Popping in to see what you've been up to this week. Great post and definitely a worthwhile cause. Great list of needlecraft sites also *VBS* Hugs, Finn

    1:23 PM
    Jan Mac said...

    Wow Michelle, are you my US twin? LOL. I've also made quilts for Quilts 4 kids and Quilts of Love, from the donated cross stitch blocks. I You've been busy with your quilts too, blessing others and thanks for stopping by at my blog with your lovely words of encouragement.

    4:20 PM

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