Back in August Nicki had a pinkeep class. Its taken me this long to finally get around to making my pinkeeps. The class was a great help in doing it.
The first one I made was Full of Hope, Mary Kathryn’s first design.
The next pinkeep completed a set of smalls I made for my mother.
There was another pinkeep, but its for an exchange! Thank you for the wonderful class Nicki.
Thank you Nicki for a great class!
Here is my first pinkeep! Thanks so much for the class Nicki! Have loved seeing other peoples pinkeeps too 🙂
Finished using your instructions. Added two layers of batting between the card and then ladder stitched the two covered card together. Glued a piece of cording I had and long silver headed pins. It is a free French design called Hornbook’s stitcher from A Mon Ami Pierre.
I made this pinkeep for my boyfriends birthday today. Your class was wonderful. It is a very easy way to finish projects and it looks so nice. Thanks a lot.
I´ve forgotten to say who has the copyright: the design is taken from Cross Stitch Crazy Nr. 36!
Greetings Maribel
This is my first attempt at a pinkeep finish, and my first time following one of the classes here – it won’t be the last time I do either, either :o)
I was very pleased at how the finished article came out – the picture isn’t very good because it’s a scan (my camera charger is missing!). In “real life” the edges are much more crisp!
I used cream dupion as the backing fabric, foamcore for the stiffening, a pale pink lace for the edging, and cream, pale green, silver and some more of the lace for the extravagant bow! I omitted the pins because I have a small niece who is fascinated by my basket of “smalls” – so maybe in eight or nine years I can finish this as intended!
Nic
Here is my contribution to the weekend pinkeep class. I finished Joy of My Heart, a design from Lori Birmingham. I’m still not sure if the bow on the corner works but it’s only stuck in with a pin so of course I can change it. 🙂 Thanks Nicki so much of posting this lesson. Mine turned out great.
-Margie
Here is my weekend finish. I started it last night and put the finishing touches on this morning. It is a Prairie Schooler design. THanks for the tutorial and inspiration. Of course I will have more later.
Cindy
Welcome to our pinkeep class! Almost any small design can be turned into a pinkeep. They are very easy to put together and quite addictive!
For a materials list, please go here.
1. First, decide how big you want your pinkeep to be. Measure your design, allowing a little extra round the edges for a border.
Cut out two pieces of card the size of your measurement. (The card can be any stiff card – I often use cereal packets or wine boxes!)
Cut out two pieces of batting the same size.
Cut out your design, leaving spare fabric for the border plus about 3/4″ extra all round.
Cut a piece of coordinating backing fabric the same size as your design piece (not shown here).
2. Place one piece of batting on each piece of card. You can glue the batting lightly in place if you want, but glue isn’t essential.
3. Take your backing fabric and glue or lace it to one piece of card/batting so that the batting side is neatly covered. Try to make the corners as neat as you can.
Repeat with your stitched piece and the remaining piece of card/batting.
Both pieces can be either laced or glued. I have shown each method here but if you don’t like glue near your stitching then just lace both sides.
4. Optional step. Glue the two pieces together so the fabric sides are outermost. If you don’t want to use glue you must sew the pieces together as in step 5.
5. Using a coordinated sewing thread, ladder stitch the front and back pieces together along the edges as shown. A curved needle makes this much easier. Pull the thread gently to secure the pieces together and make the edge neater.
NB. Glue may hold the pinkeep together alone but sewing the pieces together makes it more secure and neatens the edges.
6. Use coordinated pins to pin ribbon or cording around the edges of your pinkeep. You can decorate with a bow at the top if you like.
NB. The pins should hold the ribbon in place without any need for sewing or gluing it on.
And there’s your pinkeep finished! Easy to do.
I hope you could follow the tutorial and enjoyed it. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and please do share photos of your finished pinkeeps with us!
Our pinkeep class will run the weekend of August 18th and 19th. I hope you’ll join in as pinkeeps are so easy and fun to make. Once you’ve tried one you’re sure to be hooked!
You will need:
1. Your stitched piece. Pinkeeps can be any size but a design that is about 3-4″ square is a good size for a first pinkeep.
2. Backing fabric to coordinate with your stitched design.
3. Matboard or fairly stiff cardboard. Enough to cut out two pieces a bit bigger than your design.
4. Batting. Enough to cut out two pieces a bit bigger than your design.
5. Sewing thread.
6. Glue (optional but helpful).
7. A curved needle (optional but very helpful).
8. Ribbon or cord to put round the edges of your pinkeep.
9. Pins!
Focus on Finishing 
