After a busy spring and a little creative lull, I’ve finally found my way back to my 2024 garden embroidery journal. One of the things I love about this project is that it gives me the freedom to take my time—gardens don’t bloom all at once, and neither do ideas. This month, I’m thrilled to share the May entry: a purple bearded iris, brought to life in cross stitch and inspired by my Quarter 4 lessons with the Susquehanna Art Museum, where I work as part of the educational team.
May’s Flower
If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that each month in my embroidery journal features a different flower, reflecting what’s blooming in my garden or around the neighborhood. May is all about irises. There’s something almost otherworldly about them—those frilled petals, bold color gradients, and their stately height. The purple bearded iris, in particular, reminds me of my mother and grandmother’s gardens growing up. It always seemed like the irises appeared overnight, suddenly towering like royalty among the tulips and phlox.
This year, I wanted to do something different with May’s flower. During the final quarter of the school year, our classes spent time with a special exhibit on Tatreez embroidery at the museum. Tatreez is the traditional Palestinian art of cross-stitch embroidery, often used to decorate garments like the thobe. The exhibit was breathtaking—so much geometry, storytelling, and symbolism captured in thread. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much depth and meaning each motif carried, often passed down through generations of women.
Though I failed to capture a photo of my iris in the garden, I did manage to find the same type from Schreiner’s Gardens/ Holland Bulb Farms, pictured here. This striking flower named the Malheur Bearded Iris, features deep purple falls and violet standards, complemented by a vibrant yellow beard at the center. If you’re interested in incorporating this flower into your embroidery journal, this image can serve as a beautiful reference for your design.
Inspired by Ancient Stitches
So when it came time to stitch the May flower, I decided to borrow from the visual language of Tatreez. Instead of aiming for a realistic iris, I abstracted it into a series of cross-stitched patterns inspired by the motifs I studied during the museum lessons. The tall blade-like leaves became rhythmic zigzags in emerald and sage. The flower’s distinctive bearded crest—soft and fringed in real life—transformed into a bold central diamond in deep yellow, surrounded by jagged edges in lighter lilac and plum purple tones following the traditional Cyprus tree stitch. Each section is symmetrical, but intentionally a little imperfect—a nod to the handmade quality that defines Tatreez and makes each piece unique.
Working in cross-stitch was a shift for me. My journal usually leans toward freehand embroidery, with a bit more freedom in line and texture. Cross stitch demands precision. There’s a rhythm to it, a grid that either liberates or challenges you, depending on your mindset. I used a soft lavender and deep plum for the petals, with touches of yellow to create the beard and add contrast. While the result doesn’t look exactly like a photorealistic iris, it feels right—stylized, intentional, and full of character.
Meaning and Memories
As I stitched, I found myself thinking about how embroidery has always been a vessel for memory, whether passed down through generations or captured in a quiet moment like this one. The Tatreez influence also reminded me to think more about the story behind each stitch. Irises have long symbolized wisdom and courage, and I found myself stitching with those ideas in mind. Catching up with my embroidery journal felt like an act of quiet persistence—a slow return to something I care about, even after a pause. It was comforting to realize that a delay didn’t mean I’d lost the thread (pun intended). Instead, I just needed to pick up the needle again.
I have also been reminded why I started this project in the first place: to slow down, notice the seasons, and honor the small things that bloom in our lives. I’m not behind—I’m simply returning to the page when I can, with intention and presence. And May’s entry feels like the perfect place to pick up again.
Planning for June
Looking ahead, I’m excited to see what June will bring—both in the garden and on my fabric. I’m considering a bright red poppy or maybe something more wild, weedy and unexpected like Queen Anne’s Lace, depending on what starts blooming next.
For anyone else out there who’s fallen behind on their creative projects: it’s okay. Let the seasons remind you that everything has its own time. Even a garden takes breaks, and sometimes what looks like stillness is really quiet preparation. So stitch when you can, sketch when you’re moved to, and don’t worry too much about the timing of it all. Mother nature would never be controlled by an arbitrary work schedule and neither should a creative practice!
Stitch with Me!
If you’d like to see the process behind this month’s entry—and hear more about how the Tatreez exhibit influenced my design—check out the companion video on my YouTube channel.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: RETURN TO THE EMBROIDERY GARDEN JOURNAL MAY
CATCH UP ON ALL THE EMBROIDERY GARDEN JOURNAL ENTRIES HERE.
I walk through the pattern I created for the purple bearded iris, share some behind-the-scenes footage of my stitching sessions, and talk more about the meaning behind each motif. You can find the video linked below or by searching for “May Iris – Garden Embroidery Journal 2024” on my channel. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and if you’re working on your own garden journal or embroidery project, feel free to share your progress in the comments on on Instagram @laruedefleurs!
Happy stitching, Janice
La Rue de Fleurs/Janice Bailor (@laruedefleurs) • Instagram photos and videos
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