Melitastitches4fun's Blog

I ran out Craf-tex and wasn’t finding it without a fusible interfacing. So, Linda suggested Peltex which she prefers over Craf-tex anyway. Michael’s wasn’t showing any brand in-stock near me. So, I went with Pellon sew-in stabilizer that I was able to find at Hobby Lobby in NJ (got their last yard and on sale) allowing me to continue on my finishing frenzy! It feels like the same weight as the other “heavyweight” one I’ve been using and is the same thickness.

This cabochon was stitched by the end of July but was waiting for me to get motivated to do the finishing. I try not to use glue (messy) and lacing across tab to tab as most finishers do doesn’t thrill me because it loosens easily. But, by lacing into the stabilizer, I can cinch it in place after every couple of tabs.

I had this piece of fabric from Linda along with 2 other fabrics that are actually earmarked for another design utilizing fabric applique that I have one my To Do List. It’s perfect for this ornament and I still have plenty. Aleene’s Instant Tacky Dots are fantastic! I placed one in the inside of the fabric to hold it in place on the magazine board, two dots on the felt that is slightly larger than the board and sewed around running stitch to gather the fabric together. That’s made my finishing so much easier! Making the piece of felt slightly larger made stitching the two sides together easier because the magazine board didn’t get in my way as I attached the cording.

Once my husband was available to be my stationary hook, I made cording with 4 lengths of DMC #5 Pearl 356 used in the design. The loop was done first and attached to the ornament side of the stabilizer. That’s another lifesaving tip! It makes starting and ending the exterior cording so much easier. And, the loop doesn’t twist when it hangs. I was lucky that my stash had the matching DMC Floss 356 to attach the cording.

I don’t think anyone would find where I started and ended the outer long cord. That’s usually been a problem but this one worked perfectly. Finishing still takes time but what doesn’t with needlepoint! At least I no longer dread the task. And, I am thrilled to say these Cabochons are some of my best finishes.

In my last post, most people queried said to place the Cabochons on the bottom half. Well, by the time I did the finishing, I had forgotten about that and finished it the way I’d been thinking it should be finished-with them on the top.