Beginning again with my December Embroidery Garden Journal – Echinacea Seed Head and Woven Fly Stitch
Coming back to my Embroidery Garden Journal feels especially meaningful as part of my 2026 #TackleThatWIP goal. This project has lived in various stages of “almost finished” for far too long, and returning to it now feels like reconnecting with an old friend. The Embroidery Garden Journal has always been about slowing down, observing nature through stitch, and documenting the rhythm of the seasons—one month at a time. December, with its quiet textures and muted beauty, was the perfect place to pick the project back up again.
This entry focuses on a December embroidery design featuring an echinacea seed head stitched with the Chain Tulip stitch, paired with winter grasses worked in the Laced Fly stitch. The result feels earthy, textural, and appropriately wintry. Finishing this piece has given me new momentum for the rest of the journal and renewed excitement for continuing the series into 2026.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ll recognize this project from my earlier Embroidery Garden Journal blog posts and YouTube videos, where I shared the process, inspiration, and stitches for previous months. I’m happy to say there is also a new YouTube video for this December entry, walking through the stitching, materials, and design decisions in detail.
Returning to a Long-Term Embroidery WIP
One of my creative goals for 2026 is to intentionally revisit unfinished projects, and this journal is at the top of that list. The #TackleThatWIP challenge isn’t about rushing to finish—it’s about reconnecting with why a project mattered in the first place. The Embroidery Garden Journal has always been a blend of botanical embroidery, seasonal observation, and stitch exploration, making it the ideal project to return to slowly and thoughtfully.
December’s page reflects the stillness of winter in the garden. Instead of flowers in bloom, we see seed heads, dried grasses, and subtle movement—perfect subjects for textured embroidery stitches.
December Embroidery: Echinacea Seed Head in Chain Tulip Stitch
The focal point of this month’s embroidery is the echinacea seed head, stitched using the Chain Tulip stitch. This stitch was a natural choice because of its dimensional quality and rhythmic repetition, which mirrors the clustered structure of a real seed head. Worked carefully, it creates a wonderful texture without overwhelming the rest of the design.
I love how the Chain Tulip stitch builds depth stitch by stitch, making it ideal for botanical embroidery and nature journaling in thread. Using brown tonal thread variations helped keep the seed head visually interesting while staying true to December’s subdued palette.
Winter Grasses with the Laced Fly Stitch
Surrounding the echinacea are several delicate grasses stitched with the Laced Fly stitch. This stitch adds movement and softness, making it perfect for representing dried winter grasses swaying in the cold air. The woven structure creates a subtle openness that contrasts beautifully with the denser seed head.
The Woven Fly stitch is one I’ve explored in earlier Embroidery Garden Journal entries, and returning to it here helped tie December visually to previous months. It’s a reminder that recurring stitches can create cohesion across a long-term embroidery project.
Finishing Touches: Backstitch and Color Coordination
To complete the page, I stitched “December” in my traditional backstitch, using a coordinating thread color that complements the rest of the design without drawing attention away from the embroidery itself. This consistent approach to labeling each month has become a signature element of the Embroidery Garden Journal and helps unify the entire series.
Seeing the finished page—fully stitched, labeled, and complete—was deeply satisfying and reaffirmed why I love long-form embroidery projects so much.
Continuing the Embroidery Garden Journal Series
If you’re new to this project, I encourage you to explore the earlier blog posts and YouTube videos in the Embroidery Garden Journal series. Each month focuses on different plants, stitches, and seasonal inspiration, making it a rich resource for anyone interested in hand embroidery, stitch journaling, or botanical needlework.
For this December entry, I’ve also shared a new YouTube video, where I talk through the design, demonstrate the Chain Tulip and Laced Fly stitches, and reflect on what it’s been like to return to this project after time away.
As part of my 2026 #TackleThatWIP journey, this feels like a strong and meaningful step forward. I’m excited to keep going, one stitch and one month at a time, and I hope this encourages you to revisit a creative project you’ve been meaning to return to as well.
Happy making, and keep an eye out for more hand embroidery and slow stitching projects on my YouTube, blog and IG soon! Janice
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(©2026, Janice Bailor // laruedefleurs.com)