Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz
Thanks to the Masters weekend (golf), there was lots of time to stitch and it made the Smyrnas easier to get through.
All ready for the next area. Linda M from Main Line Stitchers has finished hers ahead of us in order to walk us through the project over the next few months. The upright interior portion of the center area is the topic of tonight’s meeting along with progress 6 members have made on Songbirds, a painted canvas (each is different). Of course, we’ll have Show & Tell.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz
In the ribbon borders of Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz, there are 277 Smyrnas in each of 4 quadrants for a total of 1,108. So, here is the first quadrant done.
The tops edges requires some thought but the rows do not. So, I’ll have to break it up by other projects because it is too monotonous once you get to the straight rows. Hopefully, these will be done in advance of our April Monday meeting with ANG Main Line Stitchers on the 13th.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz
With careful counting and checking the location of stitches compared to other reference points, I made it through without too much undoing. You know quickly when the count is off. Having the basting lines were very helpful too.
The first one took the longest and then by the third one, muscle memory (yes, I still have some) kicked in and they got easier and quicker. Not that I hurried because getting these correct is key to further success.
The diagonal ones seemed even easier. Here are the completed outlines forming the center Rosette.
I worked out where to use pin stitches to start and end the threads (inside of where the first stitch goes down through the canvas).
Hopefully, other ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter members are making out as well.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz
Linda M got us started on Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz at our March ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter meeting. It’s a large piece. The canvas is 18″ square. As you can see, I am working in the well because the design goes too close to the bars which makes ending threads more difficult.
Good news is that we rotate the canvas most of the time to work in the bottom right quadrant so I don’t have to reach and it’ll easier to see. Lots of counting. This will be challenging. I’ve been wanting to stitch this for awhile. Let’s get going!
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz
At the January 3rd Saturday Stitch-in with a few members of my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter, Linda M helped several of us select our own colorways for Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz. Linda has already started stitching and that helps to have an understanding of where the threads will be in relation to the others.
I selected an eggshell canvas and fall colors based on Watercolours 123 Spice. I’m waiting on my DMC #8 Pearl before getting the thread photo.
After putting my canvas on 18″ x 18″ Evertite bars, I realized that I didn’t have a project bag large enough to hold it. So, I recalled that I had purchased a large sheet of vinyl (from Joann’s) and knew I had used very little of it and am likely to use very little of it.
I cut it so that one of the creases would be at the very bottom and one ended up at the very top for a slight flap by chance. But there is a crease on each side that I didn’t bother trying to get rid of. I read that you can place parchment paper on top of the vinyl and iron on low heat. But it’ll be fine like this. I am going to work in the well anyway because Linda says 18″ square bars make it a little tight for ending threads around the edge.
It was a perfect width of vinyl leaving me still enough for whatever else I might need it for in the future. The bag doesn’t have a handle but this size project doesn’t need to travel. I will need my comfy chair, light, and quiet because counting will be so important for Razzle Dazzle.
Nothing fancy was used to make the bag, just clear packing tape to close the sides. Here is the ‘Rough and Ready’ Bag.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Laurel Burch Rainbow Butterfly by Danji
The background from my Sharon G Vases with Curly Bamboo used the T stitch and a very light blue floss because it appears very delicate almost invisible. She did not want to detract from the vases. I, too, did not want distract from the butterfly. So, that’s what I used to create the appearance of it flying in the sky. I used an overdyed thread with a slight color change. Don’t ask me what thread I used – I didn’t make a note about it and don’t see anything in my stash that matches! I’m slipping.
I made an outline on Velum (stiff tracing paper) of where I wanted the outer edge and used it to trace the shapes for the upholstery batting (obtained from Fireside Stitchery as recommended by Sue Parsons for finishing on the front side – it is fluffy on one side and thicker than the Pellon sew-in stabilizer) that I used for the fabric backing. A piece of magazine board was placed in between the front and back for some stiffness but it remains light and the single loop I placed on the back is sufficient.
Goal # 2 for 2025 is done!
Once you get the stitching done and lining in place on the Folding Ort Box and the Ort Box with a Twist (Pockets), the final step is to do the binding stitch to attach the pieces. My thought throughout the process of creating these has been that Marilyn Owen was really so ingenious to have constructed this to begin with. I had a lot of time pondering that as each side gets attached to the bottom, then side to side, and finally the top edge times and I did that times two!
Check your layout – you don’t want to be wrong now.
Also, check your thread. I used Pearl #8 for binding on the Folding Ort Box and it is a tad thicker than the three strands of floss. Mine does lie flat but it would be flatter had I used floss as Marilyn instructed. By the time I realized it, I wasn’t going back.
At least two of my chapter members are finished and several more are getting close. Thanks again Marilyn!
The linings are attached. I used white thread to attach the black ultrasuede on the Folding Ort Box which matches the canvas and is not seen from the front. However, it did show on the inside. So, I used a black marker to color the thread. Can you spot the one diagonal row not done yet?
I love the colors with black and the overdyed thread.
For the Ort Box with Pockets, I have a green border, green ultrasuede, and green sewing thread. So, no marker needed.
I’m ready for assembly.
This will make a good travel project (small and no bars). I plan switch between reading and stitching during the 3-hour flight to New Orleans. I have gathered my stuff to take with me. One of Debbie Stiehler’s riffs during her talk at the NAN dinner was on who brings needlepoint to stitch on to an event where you will be taking needlepoint classes. Guilty!
There were 4 patterns to use or not as we saw fit for the bottom of the Folding Ort Box by Marilyn Owen. I modified the bargello pattern by adding the short red rows. The color matching is pretty close.
I’ve already used solid red for the inner borders and decided another red border and red binding will not be exciting enough. So, I tied in the Watercolours used on the bottom for the outer borders. Then, for the binding, I will go back to red.
The Ort Box with Pockets also needed to be cut apart, edges folded back, and lots of cross stitches for the borders. The holes all have to line up to stitch the borders correctly.
Next up is how to do the lining by August 11, our next ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter meeting!
The blackwork actually made a lot more sense this time (first one was stitched in 2013).
I had thought we’d do a small pattern during our June ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter meeting but I figured out that wouldn’t work because it took me 3 trys to get started correctly and over an hour to stitch the sample.
So, at the meeting, I discussed blackwork basics (focusing on reversible blackwork) starting with a double running stitch which means you stitch every other stitch along a line. Come back along the same line, filling in the gaps. When filling in the gaps of your double running stitch, adjust your needle placement: Bring the needle up just below the previous stitch. Take it down just above the same stitch. This technique reduces stitch distortion and helps maintain straight lines (2nd row). Or, use a sharp needle and split the stitches on the return (3rd row). Red indicates the thread below the canvas. The top row always stayed above the thread and appears the waviest.
A few people became interested in learning more about blackwork. That’s what I had hoped to accomplish – exposure to a new form of needlework. Nobody contacted me (yet) saying that they couldn’t do the pattern for the ort box. That’s a good sign. While I learned more as well and itvis pretty, I will not be delving into it more.
There isn’t much to say about the bottom of the Ort Box with Pockets other than it’s pretty too.
Now to construction of the box.
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