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.
Filed under: Uncategorized
This has been a very fun piece to stitch. And, I am done in time to post for Labor Day.
While stitching 247 squares did feel insurmountable at the start, breaking it into smaller sections helped. And, stitching other pieces in between kept this feeling fresh.
The border is a simple slanted gobelin 3 x 3 using Kreinik #8 Braid 002 (just a little more than 1 spool).
Thanks again to Mary Clark Donegan for writing the original book (it’s a great stitch dictionary), to Connie Camp with Nashville Needleworks for writing the supplement booklet (fully compensated squares made stitching this much easier), and all who serve in the military.
Filed under: Brandywine Chapter, Edward Scissorfish Scissors Holder, Embroidery Guild of America
Edward Scissorfish grew a lower face (on the sides/bottom) during our second class and an afternoon ballgame the following day (I forgot to post this earlier). After a break from beads for a couple of weeks, I went back to belly scales. Lots of them! Had my belly full of them.
Just a few more required for sewing up the seam of the belly. I’m ready for our third class tomorrow at Cleo’s (Busy Lizzy).
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
Tahitian Treat was my piece at the 2019 ANG Seminar Exhibit. It’s an original design in the Non-professional category. And, I am pleased to say that it got an Honorable Mention ribbon.
The scores were: 81 out of 100 (design=21 out of 25, color=19 out of 25, workmanship/technique=15 out of 20, suitability=17 out of 20, finishing=9 out of 10; Note: The First Place design only scored 90 out of 100, the lowest scores for a First Place design that I can remember).
As usual, I got the judges critique. So, I waited to post until the critique and piece returned to Philadelphia. All very positive except for twisting threads – my nemesis! Excerpts:
The more that one explores Tahitian Treat, the more that can be discovered! While you were basically starting with a 12” grid, your piece does not look like a checkerboard.
The way that you created a path around the outside of the design encourages movement of the eye. Yet, your paths had some resting places that were a good idea and nicely stitched. The palette of colors that you chose to work with by using Watercolours Tahiti seems to work well in adding to the movement and balance in your piece.
Your choices for the stitches are also successful. As the direction of the area in which you are stitching changes, so, too, does the direction of the stitches themselves. This in turn offers a cohesive look to your piece. This is especially effective in the yellow-green areas in the outer ‘path’ and the dark blue surrounding the central diamond area. The range of values used is equally effective.
The challenge of working with any twisted thread, e.g., pearl cotton, is the need to be diligent in maintaining the twist of the thread. Your eyelets are consistent in maintaining the same-sized opening in each execution. Your threads are well laid in the dark blue area surrounding the central diamond. You have also determined the right number of threads to have in your needle when using floss.
Your stitch, thread, and color choices all work well in achieving an overall successful design. Thank you for sharing Tahitian Treat with us and we hope that we will see more from you in the future.
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2019, Thread and Stitch Manipulation with Cynthia Thomas
The Thread and Stitch Manipulation with Cynthia Thomas was a one day class. I decided to play with stitch patterns all day – some on paper and some on my computer. Lots of fun!
I learned how to make these diagrams in Excel from another of Cynthia’s classes 2 years ago!
Here’s a couple of my favorites:
Filed under: Uncategorized
Last night, after the first wave went in, I went into Expo! And, saw lots of bags coming out. This year’s buzz item was the ANG Lone Star Chapter’s booklet called Grab -n- Go Stitches with over 450 stitches.
It is designed like Stitches To Go and without any duplicates from that book. I’m very interested in the stitch type groupings: Stitches that read straight, stitches that read diagonal, stitches that read oblique, leaf stitches, laid fillings, blackwork, darning patterns, and lagniappe (a nice variety).
I was almost out the door when I passed by Michele Roberts table and there was Broad Stripes and Bright Stars. It has 269 stitches in the flag and 366 stitches in the glossary (one for every day of a leap year). Having purchased the original Patchwork of Peace book and having almost finished stitching piece based on the companion guide by Connie at Nashville Needle, I knew my husband would ask, “Why would you want that book?” And, he did! Well, I wanted to see how it was written, what stitches and threads were recommended, and it makes a great stitch dictionary. Who knows, maybe I will stitch another flag some day!
Very comfortable stitching day! No tissue paper – all counted work.
I did not need to practice the trees because I just did the same technique for Gail Stafford’s, A Dusting of Snow. Kay adds a twist, figuratively and literally, with regards to the couched thread. And, the stitch for the leaves is one I understand.
So, I stitched the composite blue/green border you see on the left side. It’s a 6-step process and 5 steps are done. The 6th step for the beads will go on last.
At the end of class, Kay had us turn our glass ort container into a glass, filled with champagne, and we toasted our wonderful experience together! Many thanks to the pilot stitchers who donated the ort containers for our class and got Tiffany paper bags to decorate our classroom. Very nice touches.
Well, after a lovely evening last night at the Needlepoint Fiesta dinner, I didn’t want to stitch. But, I did read the instructions and really like the “Technique” sheets that Kay Stanis includes with the instructions for A Toast to Tiffany. They cover “Framing Up Canvas on Stretcher Bars” (well written so I could do this again if desired), “Beginning and Ending Stitchable Threads on Canvas” (learned an interesting French Method Adaptation and about a U stitch which seems better than L stitch), “Beginning and Ending Non-stitchable Threads” (all new for me having not done much goldwork), “Design Transfer” (very understandable and doable but tedious), “Diagonal Holding/Blending” (a very cool technique), and “Braids” (new, for me, info about beginning, ending, and couching braids).
We spent this morning doing the crescents of which I got 4 done. Kay suggested that instead of all S crescents on left and we alternate crescent directions and I like the pattern she shows as Z-S-Z-Z-S-Z (from top to bottom).
I spent about 35 minutes of lunch basting on top of tissue paper the bottom motifs. The tissue paper didn’t bother me as much maybe because I really had it solidly in place using several needles. Then, I used the afternoon to pad and satin stitch the petals followed by couching the gold around the petals.
We also discussed how to place the sequins on the borders but I don’t have the borders all basted and will put them on last anyway. The day was over fast. Tomorrow is the stitch for the trees and probably the borders.
The only pre-work required was to make a bead-cutting tray to keep the purls and beads under control.
My classmate, Linda, made mine! It’s a piece of foam core about 6” x 6” with a piece of felt and a matching cord! Lovely. Thanks again Linda!!
The instructions say we are getting a 13˝ X 16˝ congress cloth but that we should bring 14˝ X 16˝ bars. I asked about that thinking there was an error. But, no, we are lacing (2 sides with regular bars or 1 side with Evertites)! Nice to learn how to lace but prefer Evertites.
Also, nice to learn about transferring a design using tissue paper but prefer line drawings! Basting through the tissue paper is tedious and I didn’t get much done. Maybe homework tonight if I have the energy and eyes for it. But, I’d also like to find a different sky thread(s) and am not happy with my laying of the sky so far. We are thread blending 3 overdyed threads. I didn’t want streaks. So, I left areas to go back with a different thread. I may have to start all over at home.
The water went very well as did the tacking of the felt. My tacking stitch got cut accidentally when I was removing the tissue paper. Not a fan of the tissue paper!
Looking forward to the counted work we’ll be doing tomorrow!
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