One of the counted projects for my ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter is ANG’s Stitch of the Month (SOTM) from 1999, Barbara’s Patchwork. I selected threads that DMC calls Topaz (Color A) and Raspberry (Color B). I was going for a Mustard and Scarlet combination.
I double counted each section in order to be sure that the grid was correct.
And, two more people signed up for my Crescent Journey!
We’ll begin discussing Vases, a Sharon G canvas, too. We have 3 different stitch guides.
Please join us tomorrow night, October 14 (always the second Monday of the month from 7-9 pm) at Starbucks in Wayne, PA (218 Lancaster Ave).
Not a fancy frame for the flag. Off-white mat and wood frame with a slight reddish tint in it. It’s not under glass.
But, getting a good photo is so tough. For this piece, my natural light works great for the color of the threads but reflects on the frame in a couple of places for an inconsistent look. Outside in the sun, the frame either reflected a lot or shows up as a dark brown. Outside in the shade, the reddish color in the wood shows up better but only on the upper edge and right side.
The framer is whoever does the work for Needle Me in Haverford, PA. Nicely done.
Lotus Kimono by Lee (SPM 279) is a project that we discussed differences in two stitch guides at my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter. And, I’ve finished it!
At our Saturday Stitch-in Time in August, I finished the black seam lines using a variation of the Tramme (or Trame) stitch. I laid 2 long threads of Elegance E801 and selected a 1 x 3 cross stitch to go on top using one strand of Splendor S801. It appears that The Needlepoint Book by Jo Ippolito Christensen would have you stitch the crosses first and then run the long tramme stitch under them. I preferred an elongated cross stitch (not spaced apart from each other) to alternating gobelin stitches so you could not see there were 2 laid threads and because I seemed to pull too tight with the gobelin stitches which pulled the long laid thread out of the well towards the shared canvas thread.
For the center of the flowers, I matched the painted canvas by using the same threads as the large leaves in a simple basketweave stitch. Both the French knots and the beads suggested by the stitch guides seemed too prominent considering how lightly I had stitched most of the canvas.
The gold along the bottom and side sleeves was also a tramme of 2 long laid threads of Kreinik #12 Braid 002V and one strand of Kreinik #4 Braid 002V with gobelin stitches placed evenly apart. I didn’t have the same problem pulling the laid theads out of the well probably because the #12 Braid is a thicker thread than Elegance.
The Kreinik #12 Braid 002V was couched with Kreinik #4 Braid 002V all around the leaves and flowers.
Now, do I flat finish the kimono and mount it, get a custom cut mat, or hang it through the sleeves? So many options! Thoughts?
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, ANG Stitch of the Month, 1999, Crescent Journey, Melita's Designs, Vases with Curly Bamboo by Sharon G
September 9 (always the second Monday of the month from 7-9 pm) starts another year for our ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter. Please join us at Starbucks in Wayne, PA (218 Lancaster Ave). We’re excited about this year’s programs.
One of the counted projects is ANG’s Stitch of the Month (SOTM) from 1999, Barbara’s Patchwork. I selected threads that DMC calls Topaz (Color A) and Raspberry (Color B). We need each in light, medium, and dark values. I got an extra value of Topaz just because I might want it. We’re getting instructions each month. So, I’ll wait and see if I want to add a Kreinik for some sparkle. This will be a 5″ x 5″ design area.
The second counted project that 8 people signed up for is my design (6″ x 6″), Crescent Journey. Linda stitched a “Neutral” colorway as she proofread what I wrote up for directions as I stitched a “Beach” colorway. It’s a 43-page booklet with about 60 diagrams. Now, these folks are my first pilot class! One of the most interesting things we learned from this piece is how different values in different areas of the piece make the focal point change. The grayscale really helps show this. I’m excited to see how everyone’s choices of colors work. At least 3 people are changing some or all the threads. This too is a monthly project. I divided it into 12 parts.
The third project is a painted canvas, Vases with Curly Bamboo by Sharon G. It was from a class that several of us took with Sharon at Nimble Needle of NJ a few years ago (2012) and never finished. We have stitch guides to compare including those written by Sharon G, Amy Bunger, and Tony Minieri. This will be discussed every other month to give people a chance to stitch a vase before discussing the next one. The last month we’ll review the background and border. My first vase was done (March 2017) following the Sharon G stitch guide. The little bits done on the other vases was done in class. I’m so glad we’re going to get back to this canvas. Loved it then and still do. Even if everyone is not stitching this, we are learning how different stitch guide writers approach the same painted canvas. We are not copying the stitch guides. Each person has their own or can take notes regarding the other stitch guides.
These stitches worked up very quickly probably because there was only one thread used per block except for the Scotch Variation in Block 17 (6th blue block from the right). I kept the colors close to each other on purpose.
As far as I can tell Woven Variation (Block 16, 6th blue block) is the only duplicated stitch. It’s also seen in Row 12 White (bottom), Block 10 (10th white block from the right).
Just the border left to go now!
Starting with the blue block on the right (#12) moving to the left (#19), I used the following threads (1 strand unless noted):
12 – Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1105 (2 strands)
Splendor S1002 (2 strands) and Bella Lusso 540
13 – Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1106 (2 strands)
14 – Splendor S965
15 – Elegance E862
16 – Kreinik #12 Braid 051HL
17 – Pebbly Perle P58 and Splendor S858 (2 strands)
18 – Merino Wool 98L/45622
19 – Wildflowers 0076
None of these diagrams have given the numbered stitch order. So, I made stitching the Milanese Variation (Block 16, 5th blue block from the right) more difficult than it needed to be by stitching along the lower edge left to right rather than stitching on the diagonal from lower right to upper left. But, I learned my lesson and stitched the Mixed Milanese (Block 19, blue block on the far left) on the diagonal from lower right to upper left.
Starting with the blue block on the right (#12) moving to the left (#19), I used the following threads (1 strand unless noted):
12 – Splendor S1002 (2 strands) and Bella Lusso 540
13 – Entice E255 (2 rayon and 1 polyester filaments removed)
14 – Entice E212 (2 rayon and 1 polyester filaments removed) and Wildflowers 0076 (2 strands)
15 – Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1105 (2 strands) and Au Ver A Soie 100/3 SMS510 (2 strands)
16 – Merino Wool 98L/45622 and Splendor S965 (2 strands)
17 – Kreinik #12 Braid 051HL and Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1106
18 – Soie Crystale 7041 (2 strands)
19 – Elegance E862 and Splendor S858 (2 strands)
The Kalem stitch (Block 14, 3rd blue block from the right) creates a wonderful pattern that looks like knitting.
Even though the Slanted Victorian Step stitch (Block 17, 6th blue block from the right) is stitched on a true diagonal, the pattern creates a more slanted appearance. Stitching on the diagonal is easier to stitch than an oblique stitch and it creates a similar effect.
The Nabuko stitch (Block 19, blue block on the far left) is also stitched on the true diagonal and creates even a more slanted appearance. I used threads quite close in color making the pattern less evident than the block with the Slanted Victorian Step.
Starting with the blue block on the right (#12) moving to the left (#19), I used the following threads (1 strand unless noted):
12 – Splendor S965 (2 strands) and Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1105 (2 strands)
13 – Bijoux MMT427 (4 strands) and Wildflowers 0076
14 – Bella Lusso 540
15 – Merino Wool 98L/45622 and Kreinik #12 Braid 051HL
16 – Splendor S965 (2 strands) and Entice E255 (2 rayon and 1 polyester filaments removed)
17 – Elegance E862 and Splendor S858 (2 strands)
18 – Pebbly Perle P07 (2 strands)
19 – Soie Crystale 7041 (2 strands) and Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1105 (2 strands)
Two more rows of blue and then the border! Labor Day is just about 4 weeks away.
Maybe because these rows of blue are shorter but I find myself planning what threads are used more carefully than what I did for the red and white rows. I don’t want to clump colors or thread types together.
The Reverse Cashmere (Block 14, 3rd blue block from the right) creates small diamond shapes where you can see the holes. You can’t see through them as I made sure my pathway covered the holes from below. It’s another very subtle pattern and the opening could fit a small bead, if beads were desired. There won’t be any beads on this piece.
The Diagonal Scotch/Byzantine Variation (Block 15, 4th blue block from the right) needs a larger area to better appreciate the pattern. Only the center diagonal stripe shows it.
The Giant Rice pattern (Block 16, 5th blue block from the right) could have been stitched in 2 contrasting colors rather than just 2 contrasting fibers to show off the pattern more.
Starting with the blue block on the right (#12) moving to the left (#19), I used the following threads (1 strand unless noted):
12 – Kreinik #12 Braid 051HL and Merino Wool 98L/45622 (2 strands)
13 – Elegance E862 and Bijoux MMT427 (4 strands)
14 – Soie Crystale 7041 (2 strands)
15 – Pebbly Perle P07 (2 strands) and Au Ver A Soie 100/3 SMS510 (2 strands)
16 – Entice E212 (2 rayon and 1 polyester filaments removed) and Bella Lusso 540
17 – Entice E255 (2 rayon and 1 polyester filaments removed) and Splendor S965 (2 strands)
18 – Wildflowers 0076
19 – Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1105
Filed under: Ort Box
Best of luck to Patty as she approaches her 1-year anniversary as owner of Stitch Stash in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Buff, Kristen, and I had a wonderful time there although it wasn’t the same without Linda! Next time!!
Patty is a very nice young woman and has some lovely canvases, a good selection of threads and beads, and all the other needlepoint stuff (bags, trays, etc.).
I selected Impressions for The Folding Ort Box with A Twist by Marilyn Owen. It’s got pockets and this one I’ll do in 18 count. My first was on 14 count and is bigger than I want.
Using 1 strand on 2 blocks in row 3 really turned out nicely because a little bit of canvas shows through. Otherwise, it would have been a solid appearance because I didn’t contrast the colors. I wonder what using 1 strand in more squares back in the red and white blocks would have looked like. Maybe I am getting more comfortable with open stitches.
This Cashmere Variation (Block 16, 5th blue block from the right) incorporated a Smyrna stitch using a single strand.
This Couching Variation (Block 17, 6th blue block from the right) used 2 strands to couch but the stitches were offset creating some open space.
The Sleeping Oblong Cross is particularly attractive with one thread. I used 2 initially but made a stitching error, ripped, and restitched with a single strand.
Starting with the blue block on the right (#12) moving to the left (#19), I used the following threads (1 strand unless noted):
12 – Splendor S858 (2 strands), Elegance E862, and Bijoux MMT427 (4 strands)
13 – Bella Lusso 540, Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1105 (2 strands), and Splendor S965
14 – Pebbly Perle P07 and Wildflowers 0076
15 – Entice E255 (2 rayon and 1 polyester filaments removed) and Entice E212 (2 rayon and 1 polyester filaments removed)
16 – Bijoux MMT427 (2 strands) and Au Ver A Soie 100/3 SMS510
17 – Splendor S1002 (2 strands) and Kreinik #12 Braid 051HL
18 – Splendor S965 (2 strands)
19 – Pebbly Perle P58 and Planet Earth 6 ply Silk 1106 (2 strands)
We didn’t enjoy watching the Phillies slip into 3rd place in the division. So, that made the opera singer who sung the National Anthem the highlight of the game! I did take a break from the game to sit outside on my front steps and watched some fireworks including some of the higher ones from Penn’s Landing. Happy 4th of July!!
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