It’s been fun stitching on Rainbow Ribbons during our ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter Stitch-in on Saturdays. No world problems fixed but we had a nice chat while stitching.
I finished Band 13 shortly after we broke for the day and went to find out what the next band was going to be only to find out that the end diagonal band over 2 was all that was needed. So, I am done!
Band 12 was a Giant Smyrna cross stitch and Band 13 was a reverse diagonal mosaic stitch. It was harder to compensate on the inner edge than the outer edge which I found odd. But, I finally got the hang of it.
I have a month to figure out what will be good to work on at our next Stitch-in.
Filed under: Canvas Master Craftsman Program, Embroidery Guild of America, Step 4
Step 4 of the Canvas Master Craftsman program had to incorporate 8 different bargello patterns but not into a “sampler”. So, I have 3 bowls, 3 abstract flowers, a background, and a border. It’s 252 x 180 canvas threads on 18-count canvas. I was surprised to see that it measured 14.5″ x 10.25″. Do stretcher bars actually stretch the canvas that much?
Step 4 passed with distinction and will be sent for display at EGA National Seminar in 2021 along with Steps 1, 2, and 3!
Any color combination was allowed. I selected a tetrad that are two sets of complements: yellow-orange (browns), yellow-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.
The left blossoms use 3 diamond patterns. For the bowl, I combined two of the same components used in the blossoms and overlapped them when joined side by side. The center bowl and blossoms are different but related diagonal patterns. And, the third group are both examples of mirrored bargello patterns.
I never thought I would finish the background which is a variation of Victorian Step from Decorative Backgrounds by June McKnight (page 53). Since this pattern has more smaller over 2 stitches than over 4 stitches, the stitches recede from the main design elements which consists of mainly larger over 4 stitches.
The border stitch was tricky to make it align evenly. I had to expand the pattern on the sides to make it fit. Four Way Bargello by Dorothy Kaestner is a great resource for bargello patterns. This is a variation of Mauve Ribbon Corners (page 110-111).
I really wish Liz Morrow was still with us. Her designs were instrumental in teaching me about different bargello patterns. Her last blog posting was 2 lovely Hearts for Hospice (http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/). Liz was a wonderful designer and teacher. She was another generous and supportive needlepoint mentor that I have been blessed to know. We are fortunate that her designs are still available at: https://www.lizartneedlepoint.com/#/. There are several bargello patterns I still want to stitch and under her needlepoint tab, I’ve always loved her Leaping Stag.
Filed under: Uncategorized
My bargello design for Step 4 of EGA’s Master Craftsman program is on it’s way for evaluation and I had so much thread left over that I decided to try The Arte Johnson stitch. Yes, Arte from Laugh-In. I didn’t know that he was a stitcher. But, he came up with this way to use up his scraps of threads. I wasn’t sure if I had enough threads from the Star of Stitches project to use them. So, I selected an overdyed thread from my stash and not even a third of the threads from my EGA project.
I read about this scrap busting technique in Janet Perry’s blog, Nuts About Needlepoint (https://nuts-about-needlepoint.com/youll-be-laughing-at-the-way-this-stitch-uses-stash/); Susan Sturgeon Roberts’ blog Needlepoint Teacher (https://www.needlepointteacher.com/stitches/numbered-a-b/arte-s/); and Jan’s blog Needle arts and Beyond (https://needleartsandbeyond.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/artes-stitch-needlepoint/). Then, I remembered that I tried it in small samples when I tested several techniques recommended in “A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That” by Linda Damiani (Dec 2017 original post). I wasn’t thrilled with how it turned out perhaps because I didn’t like combining different thread types in a needle.
The stitch is either a Cashmere (2×3) or an Elongated Cashmere (3×5). Either way, they are worked in diagonal rows. This time I’ll try it with the Vineyard Merino which can’t be doubled in the needle anyway. Up close I won’t get the tweed effect but perhaps from a distance I’ll obtain an Impressionistic, watercolor effect.
I cut 18″ lengths and put two of each color in a bag. As my husband pulled them randomly from the bag to determine the stitching order, I placed them on a thread holder.
The 18″ length only got me 6 Cashmere units of the 3 x 5 variety. So, I stitched one complete row to get started. For the second row, I started back up the third row. Then, I started varying the number of stands before switching colors.
Maybe I’ll try a smaller piece and see how it works with the 2 x 3 Cashmere and the Star of Stitches leftover threads.
Before starting my next Gay Ann Rogers piece, I am happy to have some mostly mindless stitching for a while. All I have to decide is how many lengths of thread to use before switching colors.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, ANG New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter, ANG Stitch of the Month, 2020
Because I’ve joined ANG New Jersey Needle Artists and am working on a Stitch of the Month project they have done previously, I can join their Saturday Stitch-in! They meet at the start and end of their Saturday session. The Star of Stitches by Kathy Rees is one of two Stitch of the Month projects for 2020 with my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter.
These last two areas are stitches used in the first six areas. She combines cross, box, and diagonal stitches to create unique patterns.
I’m learning Photoshop and cropped out just Area 7 for the first photo.
This photo is the close up of Area 8.
Here’s the whole star finished. I am ready for tonight’s ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter meeting. Next month starts the background.
The fillings of the leaves and pods were fun and easy to stitch. The border was done in no time. I turned the page and there wasn’t any more to stitch!
Gay Ann was inspired by this photo of Cora. She really nailed the colors (just very dark gray-brown, medium brown, ecru, and cream). And, look carefully at Cora’s right arm to see how the design matches!
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