Filed under: Daisy Delight Box with Mary Alice Sinton, Embroidery Guild of America, Fauquier County Chapter
Monday’s Zoom class (10 am – 5 pm) is Daisy Delight Box with Mary Alice Sinton sponsored by the EGA Fauquier County Chapter. It’s been awhile since doing an all day Zoom class but it looks like it’s going to be fun. This was not one of my 2025 goals but I wanted to try this entry-level piece of Japanese Bead Embroidery and there is nobody better to teach it than Mary Alice.
Ample materials have been supplied. The satin round box is also called a Minaudiere. The lovely floral 100% cotton fabric is called Flowers Aplenty by Michel Miller. The beads are a variety of Tri-cut and Seed beads (looks like way too many for the 3″ diameter round top). There are 2 sizes of Japanese needles (really tiny things-no extras-so I must not lose them), needle threader (a must have), and Gutermann threads. I’m guessing the brown felt is a mini bead tray (under the 2 spools of thread). I purchased (extra) the Japanese Beading Koma made by her husband John (wooden spool with a black band wrapped around it tightly) although Mary Alice will teach the class in a manner that doesn’t require using it since the sponsoring chapter wanted to keep costs down. But, I want to give it a try.
Not having Joann’s anymore or quilt shops near me has me relying on Michael’s but their online inventory let me down for silk pins. The silk pins are supposed to be very fine so as not to leave holes in the fabric when pinning through it. So, I ordered these on Friday and had them on Sunday. These are extra fine at 0.4 mm and I like the comfort grip feature. Cute storage case too.
I don’t have an awl or a real Tekobari tool but I was able to find my BEST Laying Tool (in my 3rd tool tote not counting my travel tool kit). Inquiring minds might ask why 3? Stuff I use very often, is in a bag within arm’s reach next to my stitching chair. Stuff I need often enough is a short walk away from my stitching chair in a lovely tool tote that Linda made. And, stuff I rarely use is my 3rd tool tote in the basement. I prefer my fancy trolley tool for laying threads at home and the standard Trolley Tool for travel. My fancy laying tool is not even in one those totes just mentioned. That is in my Ort Box with a Twist which is next to a large coffee cup (thanks again Linda) on the top of the table within arm’s reach of my stitching chair! My happy place.
I’ve read the directions several times, placed the fabric on Evertites (very taut), placed my Texas Lone Star needle minder on the frame, and am ready for class! Mary Alice has such clear instructions that I’m resisting the urge to baste the outline and create the border using the Vertical Horizontal Technique.
I finally decided what to do with Floral Fantasy, a small (4″ square) painted canvas by an unknown designer. After placing a buttonhole border around the design DMC Pearl 5 in green DMC 700, I whip stitched a piece of ultrasuede backing to it.
I held the ultrasuede in place with 4 Instant Tacky dots from Aleene’s as recommended by Ellen Johnson of Serendipity during her recent finishing class. Since they are acid and lignin free, I placed them on the back of the needlepoint (one near each corner).
The scary part is always cutting the canvas close to the stitching without cutting the threads. But, I did it. The trick is to squish the edge of the buttonhole towards the design before snipping slowly. Then, after all sides are cut, push it back towards the outside.
After placing 4 more pieces of Aleene’s tacky dots on the back of the ultrasuede in the corners, I attached it to the tissue box for our guest bedroom. I’m not worried about the tacky dots leaving a mark on the ultrasuede since I could easily remove the ultrasuede from the piece and reattach a new backing. Even with all those beads it’s not heavy.
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.
Filed under: Brandywine Chapter, Cross Stitch and Beyond by JoAnne Westerhaus, Embroidery Guild of America
I’d picked up Cross Stitch and Beyond by JoAnne Westerhaus (with some additional rows) off and on over the last couple of months.
EGA Brandywine Guild held our Quarterly meeting last Wednesday and I stitched rows 9 and 10 there and finished it during the baseball playoff games. I have stitched the Montenegrin stitch (row 13) before but have done it differently.
Then, I finished it into a thread bed. That is a place to lay to rest some working threads until you need them again while working on a project. Patrick made his into a thread bed and it looked like a great idea and useful.
I make up my finishing as I go and use what supplies I have on hand. This is just for me!
I didn’t want anything too thick. This peel and stick backing is super thin and been in my stash for years! I cut one large piece and had a strip left over that fit perfectly on the end. And, I added an edge of double sided foam tap that’s also been in my stash for years.
The Congress Cloth folded over and came together in the center. It was meant to be!
I trimmed, folded, and glued the ends in place with Aleen’s Super Fabric Adhesive.
I used this double stick fusible web (the last one in the package).
I cut the fusible web and felt to size and attached white Command Strips rather than Velcro because my Velcro squares were black. I wanted white and these link together really nicely whereas Velcro rips the one side apart. So, I’m glad I used what was available.
Is it possible the fusible interfacing is old and not working well? Also, I was not happy with the puckering in the fold area. Any recommendations for next time on how to not to get any puckering?
I sewed around the edge using Coats and Clark Quilting & Piecing 35 wt thread. While I was at it, I tacked the Command Strips in place using a really sharp leather needle and a thimble being very careful not to jab myself. It’s much better now.
Here are a couple of threads ready for bed. You can leave needles threaded because the lining is felt (not craft felt which isn’t good for needles).
Now they are tucked away for bedtime!
Filed under: ANG Central Jersey Chapter, Winter Lights by Jennifer Jennifer Riefenberg
Jennifer Riefenberg put together a lovely design in Winter Lights. I am glad I left the candles and flames for last.
Once I got 3 magnets positioned on the canvas properly for Candle 1, I was able to park needles/threads alternating from the laid foundation thread to either one of two cross stitches. It took some concentration.
I learned how to compensate a Rhodes fan on Candle 2.
Candle 3 (on the right) is my design because I trimmed, burnt, and over trimmed the piece of mesh tubing Jennifer provided (what’s left is shown in the border of the canvas on the left). And, truth be told, I tried using it but I didn’t like the mesh anyway (did I burn it accidentally but subconsciously on purpose). So I improvised and mimicked the crosses of the mesh and love it. I placed 4 strands of Sulky Holoshimmer 6017 vertically in the center and placed 2 long strands of Tiara T117 on each side. Then, I criss-crossed twice with Petite Treasure Braid PB10 and once with 2 strands of Sulky Holoshimmer 6017.
The little dimples make Candle 4 interesting.
I also love the center Candle 5 even though it took 2 tries to get correct. I was off one canvas thread in the 5th of the 10 paths.
Jennifer is correct to suggest laying, couching, laying, etc across Candle 6 so you can see the holes as you stitch. That’s probably true whenever couching.
Offset crosses in Candle 7 were something new to try.
I figured out how to compensate a Waffle Stitch for Candle 8.
And, oblique crosses finished up Candle 9.
The outlining of the candles and flames were stitched as the Phillies went up in flames exiting the playoffs with little offense and a ridiculous blunder. Finishing this lovely design was the highlight the day!
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2025, Nights in White Satin by Jennifer Riefenberg
Nights in White Satin by Jennifer Riefenberg was fun to stitch although several areas had some tricky compensation to work out. The soft pale blues with neutral colors is very calming. That completes Goal 21.
Both Howard L and I shared out finished pieces at the San Bernadino Chapter’s Show & Tell this month.
There are 8 goals left for 2025 and it’s looking like a few will carry over to next year which is OK especially because I did some other pieces throughout the year.
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!
Filed under: General comments, Radiance Metallics by The Meredith Collection, Threads
I had plenty of Radiance left from Nights in White Satin by Jennifer Riefenberg so I cut one length. It was more difficult to get the first strand out and each one got easier to remove. I needed to gently massage small bits at a time but I got it separated. Then I tested three strands unironed and ironed. The strands did get smoother with ironing.
It’s like stitching with Accentuate which I find difficult to handle. Ironing improved my ability to get the strands to lay nicely. The ironed strands are used in the stitches on the left. As you would expect, longer stitches reflect more light and are shinier than shorter ones. They would make great snowflakes or window panes (Scotch Stitches).
So, you could separate this thread into strands, iron or not, and you could also couch with it.
Overall it’s a nice thread and I would use it again. It really sparkles in person and does in close up photos too.
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2025, Nights in White Satin by Jennifer Riefenberg
I switched over to Nights in White Satin also by Jennifer Riefenberg to stitch Areas 6 and 15 in order to get rid of the basting. Then I finished all areas begun during class which included Areas 4, 9, 12, and 13.
This is the first time I’ve used Radiance. Jennifer had issues getting Kreinik and substituted Radiance for some kits. It feels more like thread and the ends do fray but nothing terrible. The sparkle does not show up as much from a distance in the photo.
Only 7 areas left to stitch. I’ll probably stitch on this at our ANG Main Line Stitchers Stitch-in on Saturday at Fireside Stitchery.
I’m going to pick up a Kreinik #8 to compare sparkle to Radiance. I want the colors to be similar and I only have Kreinik 194 in a #4 Braid.
Filed under: ANG Central Jersey Chapter, Winter Lights by Jennifer Jennifer Riefenberg
The ANG Central Jersey Chapter (CJC) is hosting a Zoom class (this past Thursday and next Thursday) with Jennifer Riefenberg for Winter Lights.
I picked up the kit in August-wow that was only last month-seems longer. It’s 7.5″ x 6″ design area. I pulled it out to read through the instructions. Seems straightforward although I was curious to hear her suggested order of stitching. She teaches in a different order than they are written. And, I’m not following either way. I’m leaving the candles for last.
There are lots of threads, mostly partial skeins (Bella Lusso, Wildflowers, Gloriana, Kreiniks, Needlepoint Inc Silk, Pepper Pot Silk, Petite Silk Lame Braid, Petite Sparkle Rays, and Sparkle Rays). But, we did get full skeins/spools of DMC Floss, Bijoux, Accentuate, and more Bella Lusso. The new thread for me is Sulky Holoshimmer. And, I have not added mesh tubing to a piece before.
The canvas has a few pencil lines marking various areas. I’m glad there isn’t a lot of pencil because it can show. But, I needed to define these areas better so I basted the candle outlines to be ready for Thursday. Then, I decided to stitch on it and got on a roll.
Basting did help me compensate Area 2. Area 1 should have extended left by 2 canvas threads but it’s easily compensated.
I wanted to get to easy stitching areas where counting won’t be needed because I joined the chapter for stitching at the September meeting in Colonia, NJ on Saturday. The areas each seemed to work up quickly and I left myself 2 areas for the stitch-in which I got done.
Finishing the blue on blue for the sky had to wait for my lamp at home and the Eagles game on Sunday. I only had 21″ left of Wildflowers which was used in the sky. Talk about close! So was that Eagle win. I might just get this done in 2 weeks!
Only someone who knows this design would see the one block where I added an extra thread to get full coverage for that block. One open block was bothering me. And, as everyone knows, once you purchase the piece, it’s up to you to be happy with it.
What I may have to redo is that center flame. Two things are bothering me. It’s not symmetrical which is what Jennifer charted and I didn’t get correct. But, her chart covers up completely the lovely iridescent gold ribbon in the center. I’m not going to do anything unless or until I get more of that particular Petite Silk Lame Braid. It IS possible for me to live with a flickering irregular flame! So, we’ll see how it looks with the rest of the flames.
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