Personal Library of Stitches Lesson One

Yippeeee! After finally finishing an urgent paid job, I have some time to rest, recuperate from a minor illness, and stitch!! A whole day and night spent exploring lesson one of PLOS. I really enjoyed trying to find some different ways of presenting Guilloche stitch. I tried some of Sharon's suggestions with very pleasing results. This could be a border stitch, I think you'd have to use it sparingly if you worked it as heavily as I did on some of the rows. They feature silk, cotton, stranded and metallic threads, beads and bugles, French knots and running stitch as well as the traditional lacing found on Guilloche stitch. The outline of the postcard sized piece is Portugeuse knotted stem, not sure if I'd work that again along a withdrawn thread, it tended to wobble about a bit. I decided to use the "window" method of hooping up the 26 count oatmeal coloured linen in the end, stitching it by machine to a piece of calico and cutting away the area to be stitched from behind. That way I could use my large table hoop which prevents me stooping over the work and so is easier on my arthritic neck.
Now on to lesson two!!!

TAST Catchup part 2

CROSS STITCH
Here is another sample, see below, stitched 3 years ago. Another pieced silk background, and this time the colours are more like my current tastes. Again, there are a few beads and this time some sequins as well for sparkle!! My tutor commented on the movement I achieved in this piece, but I can assure you it was quite by happy accident. Perhaps because I really liked the colours it just evolved.

TAST catchup

FLY STITCH
I've been a bit pre-occupied I'm afraid with an urgent paid costume sewing job, so thought I'd share a sample stitched in an EG course 3 years ago (was it really so long ago, wow!) The module involved creating backgrounds on which to stitch and this one is little pieces of silk arranged and stitched down to a larger piece, then stitched over. There are a few beads for sparkle (my work nearly always has a little bit of sparkle, have you noticed, gggg). There is also a bit of line stitching which I recorded as raised chain band, although now I can't really see the chain stitch, but that must have been the method. Funny also how much my taste in colours has changed, this now looks particularly dull to me.

Family wedding and THE bridesmaid's dresses!

Photos hot off the camera of my son's wedding on Saturday. The bridal couple and my oldest daughter and her boyfriend in one photo. The other a close up of the smaller of the bridesmaid's dresses over which I agonised for 6 weeks. Everyone was very complimentary of the work, and I think I was the only one who really noticed the join in the lace of the bodices. I'm just too particular (some unkind people might say obsessive/perfectionist) It was a very emotional day, as this is not his first trip down the aisle, unfortunately. However he is very happy and I'm sure this time it is for keeps. A very kind and caring young man, and not too bad looking either I must say. He is my firstborn and only son, the heir to the family surname as the only son, of the only son, of the only son! Whew, a big responsibility to carry on the name, but he is very worthy.

My Counted Thread Band Round Robin Round 2

Wow. Just found pictures uploaded of my band, and the next round of stitching has been completed.
Jenny B. from http://jennysaustralianneedleart.blogspot.com/
has done a fabulous job as usual, adding wonderful texture via Withdrawn Thread work. There are 9 stitchers worldwide in the group, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what the other members are going to do on my band. Of course it also means I have to design 8 other rounds to go on their bands too!! Oh well, now that the son is safely and happily married off last weekend, I will have a ton of time on my hands, won't I?? Actually not that much. Between completing Sharon B.'s TAST each week (well I have to catch up a couple of weeks due to wedding sewing) and Personal Library of Stitches course online (another of Sharon's excellent courses) I have a rush job to make an 1830's dress and accessories for a house museum by 14th March! Was it Oliver Hardy or Stan Laurel (can't remember which one) who said "That's a fine mess you've gotten us into!! all the time. I just have to prioritise, and spend less time on this darn PC and do some work! But it is fun, isn't it, and you "meet" some really nice folks here. Oh well, back to the salt mines for me!!!

TAST Algerian Eye!

Just a quick exploration for Sharon B.'s TAST stitch this week. I really like this stitch, I love that you can expand it to become eyelets, and work them a bit "freeform" too, varying the size and making them assymetrical if you wish. I've used a perle variegated thread called Hand Dyed Hues from New Zealand, a lovely gelato blue and green. I also used DMC metallic stranded threads from the new range of about 12 months ago. My sister-in-law bought me one of each colour for Christmas 2005. Did you spot the buttonholed ring under the single eye stitch, I worked it over my finger this time, it was a little difficult in the metallic yarn as it doesn't slip easily against itself, but I was determined and eventually succeeded. A bit of a motto for life, really.

It's been a very busy week, the February Stitches and Craft Show has been on in Sydney and I had to help display work and then man a stand for the Embroiderers' Guild which kept me busy for 2 days. Then I started to hem a bridal gown and make a veil for my future daughter-in-law, to go with the 2 bridesmaids which have been in progress for the past 6 weeks. The gown and veil are finished and the bridesmaids need hemming and some lace overlaid on the bodices. Luckily I was able to buy some wonderful silk sewing thread at a Lace Guild day last weekend which matches the custom dyed lace beautifully, so now I just need to take the plunge and start grafting the lace. It will look very elegant, chocolate brown Chantilly lace over dusky pink sik satin and silk organza. Then I just need to find a suitable ribbon for the waist and they're finished too. If I can't find a suitable coloured ribbon, I bought some liquid dye, used for ribbons and laces, at the Craft Show and will experiment with that. 2 weeks till the wedding, and it's been a long hot Summer in Sydney and I'm so tired from lack of good sleep. Thank goodness for stitching, it has given me a focus point and kept me grounded. Ohhh, I sound very philosophical tonight, must be exhaustion setting in, ggggg.

TAST Chevron Stitch

Week 5 of Sharron B.'s TAST challenge was Chevron Stitch. My only reference book which showed it was Jacqueline Enthoven's "Stitches of Creative Embroidery". Once I got into the rhythm of the stitch I found it easier, just had to remember when to keep the thread up and when to keep it down before inserting the needle for the next step! Not really one to do in front of the television. I stitched a little pyramid shape in variegated silk Colour Streams thread then added little highlight stitches in 2 strands of the new DMC stranded metallics, and a very "hairy" stranded thread whose name I have lost, but I think it was for machine embroidery (in the bobbin only)and bought at a Craft show. Really must learn to save wrappers and labels from my threads, it would be so much easier for future reference. Wish I was one of those organised people who kept a sample book of fabrics and threads, but I'm just not.

TAST Cretan stitch

Here is a little exploration of Cretan stitch for Sharron B.'s Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge on her blog at www.inaminuteago.com which I started on Australia Day, see post below. I got a bit carried away with the sparkle!! The top row is alternating Cretan rows in stranded cotton with a short straight stitch capping off one row in a sparkle metallic "chain" yarn. The next row uses Pearl 8 thread, I think, and I used 2 rows interlocked then threaded 2 rows of metallic chain yarn through the centre. On the left below them is a free form design using Pearl 8 again and the metallic "chain" yarn again. On the right is another free form design using a silky ribbon tubular ribbon yarn, variegated, which stitches beautifully. I explored using another metallic chain yarn to do some needleweaving and wrapping, and one leg of the Cretan has a little buttonholed section as well, just for fun. Hope to get week 5 stitch worked by the end of this week.

Happy Australia Day!

26th January is our national day and over the years our family has celebrated in various ways. For 3 years now I have volunteered for the National Trust (a non-government self-funded organisation) at the Parramatta properties. This year I was rostered at Experiment Farm Cottage at Harris Park, where Governor Arthur Phillip gave James Ruse, a farmer convict, land in 1789 as an experiment to see how long it would take a man to become self-sufficient in the new colony of New South Wales. This year we had racks of costumes available for hire so people could take a souvenir photo of themselves on Australia Day. In previous years we had a photographer take photos and print them out on the spot, but our regular volunteer was not available. Although I didn't do a lot of business, I still dressed for the occasion. I wore my Regency inspired outfit with cotton petticoat, long over the knee stockings (socks), leather flat shoes, chemisette and gown, and white cotton day cap. I do a pretty good impression of Whistler's Mother I'm afraid, ggg, and it was an extremely hot day to be dressed in silk taffeta, but the Bush Music Band was great to listen too, the damper and billy tea and the sausage sizzle were great tucker, and just being at the 1830's Anglo Indian bungalow that is EFC was terrific. Oh, and I did some embroidery to while away the hours too, I started exploring Cretan stitch for Sharron B.s TAST challenge. More about that later.

TAST Week 3 Detached Chain Stitch

This week I have experimented with little detached chain "suns" using several different threads and methods. The first two are holographic gold sequins "couched" down with detached chain stitches in variegated silk thread. I think it was Colour Streams thread, I unwrapped the skein and lost the label long ago!! The large sun on the left is couched over a buttonholed "ring" made over my little finger with stranded thread and then couched using long legged detached chain in stranded purple and pearl 8 orange threads.I added a gold cup sequin with a bead in the centre. The small sun on the right is couched over a buttonholed ring worked in pearl 8 orange over the end of lead pencil. The couching is in the variegated silk thread and there are 3 beads in the centre of this one. I'm really hoping to fit in some more chain stitching this week, and perhaps even go back and do week 1 and 2, ggg.

TAST Catch-up

Okay, confession time. I have a "black belt" in Procrastination. Always have, always will. I can't decide how to present my stitch explorations !! I think if I'm going to try to complete a stitch every week that I should at least make something useful from the pieces I stitch. I have several sample books already since I've completed 4 years of Embroiderers' Guild NSW courses. I thought perhaps I should embellish some CQ blocks, but my first attempt was dismal. Now I'm stuck, and I'm really not the "just do it" type, although I know I really should be! Therefore I'm posting a couple of little swatches I worked during the Embroidery By Design (formerly Intermediate) Certificate which I took at the Guild 2 years ago. I promise that I will decide by the next challenge day what form my samples / pieces will take, and get to work on them. Cross my heart XXXXX

Buttonhole stitch - Tailor's Buttonhole

The second stitch in Sharron B's TAST challenge is buttonhole stitch. There has been an ongoing debate about buttonhole stitch / blanket stitch and the difference for many years amongst embroiderers. Older embroiderers remember doing hand worked buttonholes which used tailor's buttonhole stitch as opposed to closely worked blanket stitch which today is called buttonhole stitch. I found this diagram of the tailor's buttonhole stitch in Oldhams Big Book of Needlecraft which I believe is from the 1960's or perhaps a little earlier. There is an extra loop put into the stitch which forms a "bead" on the edge which would give a more robust buttonhole when used on tailored coats, suits and work wear. This might be an early Victorian innovation since the buttonoles and eyelets used on pre-Victorian corsets and clothing seem to be just overcast or satin stitched like modern eyelets, with no "bead" on the edge of the cut hole.

Counted Thread Band Round Robin-WIP

My on-line group "The Stitching Post" is doing a Band Round Robin, with participants all around the world! We decided on Counted Thread techniques which might include such styles as Pulled Fabric, Assisi, Blackwork, Cross Stitch, and Hardanger to name a few. I have decided to do Wessex Stitchery, a multi layered style using just a few very basic stitches. I took a day class in this a couple of years ago with the E.G. NSW and really enjoyed it. At the time my husband was recovering in hospital from a heart attack, luckily only one blockage treated with a stent. I felt a bit guilty sitting and stitching in a class while he was in ICU, but my friends thought it was good therapy for me and I had to agree. Do you think I got a bit carried away with the stitching on this sampler? So far I've taken 2 whole days to stitch this much. We are only supposed to do a 2 inch band or so, but I really enjoyed the stitching. I don't plan to repeat this on the other 10 or so samplers which might come to me! I'm going to let each sampler "tell" me what technique it would like on it, I might even repeat a technique with a new design or colour than previously used. It promises to be great fun, a real challenge because of the distance and especially for me because I procrastinate a lot, and end up rushing to get things finished by the inevitable deadline. Hope I can be a bit more disciplined in 2007!! New Year's Resolution there??

Hexagon Hussif Part 2

Here is the outside of the hussif, with a finger crocheted loop and button closure.
Fogot to say that the straight side of each hexagon measures 3", and that the "diameter" point to point across the middle is 6" and so that makes it a 6" hexagon.

Hexagon Hussif

Today was the last day for this year at my EG local group, and I took along the makings and directions for this hussif. A friend at our patchwork group had the original concept, but I have modified it. There is pellon sandwiched between the inner and outer hexagons and the outer layer wraps around to "bind" the smaller inside one. I inserted shaped felt needle leaves between the first two "pages" and there is a small pocket between the 2nd and 3rd page which is unfortunately not large enough for needle packets but will fit embroidery scissors and a rotary tape measure. A most useful "housewife" indeed !! Only one more party to attend, although the way I feel right now after a full day down at Linnwood again, I might just give my apologies. Although.....they do serve some really nice finger food at that restaurant venue.... and everyone knows I LOVE my food. Do you ever wonder why there are no photos of me anywhere on the net? You'd be able to tell how much I love my food!!! Our Secret Santa exchange went really well today too, I got a handmade dilly bag for shopping and CHOCOLATES. See they know me really well (and I did hint at what I'd like at the last meeting too, VBG) The miniature tote bag was very much appreciated by the receiver, and they all thought I was a bit mad when they saw the size of the stitches on it. I think I'll need to make another for myself now.

Christmas Holiday Projects

Isn't it funny how Christmas time brings family memories flooding back? I remember how excited my own 4 littlies used to get at this time of year, "How long till Christmas, Mum?" and trying to buy or make the perfect gifts for each of them. One year I made a full doll's cot set for one of the older girls, little quilted blanket (my first attempt at quilting) and pillow and lacy skirt for the cot and all. We still have the cot in the shed, and I found the little quilt the other day in the linen cupboard while putting things away. Over the years I made lacy potpouri pillows for my aunties, homemade lollies, and lots of other things too numerous to mention. There is one WIP gift that my mother keeps reminding me about. I bought her a kit at a craft show when my step father first took ill, thinking she could relax and stitch. It is a coloured candlewicked dresden plate design pillow, quite nice really, but she thought I should do it for her as she couldn't concentrate well. That was 5 years ago. It is still unfinished. My WIP list is 3 pages long you know. I suppose I should get to it fairly soon though, mum isn't getting any younger and I'm sure she would like to see it finished. So would I, so I've moved it higher on the list of to-dos this holidays. I've also bought some fabric and some thread suggestions for an online Round Robin Band Challenge , the first band stitched is due in February so that is also on the list. The fabric is 25 count Lugarna, and these are some of my favourite colours at the moment.

It can't be December already!

Such a busy time. Parties and gatherings every couple of days, much too much eating and drinking taking place. At least my kids' group had a nice party day, a simple felt Christmas project then we all shared afternoon tea. I put up some decorations in the hall, and asked the kids to all help decorate a little tree. Christmas is not so magical without little ones in the home, so I really enjoy my kids at embroidery group at this time of year. On Monday I had to take a "bag challenge" project to my patchwork group Christmas party. As usual, I had procrastinated over design and fabric for so long that time had beaten me, so on Sunday night I decided to whip up this little miniature tote which will do double duty as a Secret Santa gift for a fellow miniature enthusiast. It measures 1 3/4 inches x 1 1/4 inches, is made of homespun and decorated with some canibalised suffolk puffs
(yo yos) from my mini quilt project. The straight sewing is over 3 or so threads of the fabric (thank goodness for good magnifying glasses) and took about 4 hours to make. Yes, in that time I could have sewn a full size bag by machine I hear you say, but would I have had so much fun ??
This week I have also attended the end of season show for the Dancing Studio I sometimes work for, got a credit in the programme and all. There is a certain amount of satisfaction in seeing your creations on the stage, even if some of the costumes weren't worn correctly !! This weekend we have Open House day at Linnwood, and I have spent several days helping set up an exhibition of all our donations received in the last 4 years. We have some quite delightful groupings of items, clothing and accessories, kitchenalia, war momentos, tools, lighting, handcrafts and laundry items just to name a few. I'll try to get a couple of photos to post on Sunday.

Saturday afternoon's class went well.

Today's class was exhausting. 8 kids who loved the dolly-peg angels but also wanted to make the alternate project as well !! We had several male angels with very dark coloured robes (not dresses, they're for GIRLS!) and short styled hair. They had green and red glitter sticks for their wings, and everyone did a pretty good job. Next time, I'll take craft glue in SMALL bottles which run easily and don't need the nozzle to be unclogged every 5 minutes. Perhaps I can buy some small squeeze bottles and decant the glue so each person has their own. We don't use it very often, after all it is a stitching group, but this was meant to be a quick, easy session. The second project was a little lolly bag made from a felt covered carboard cone, decorated to look like a reindeer. It had little brown ears, and white antlers, goggle eyes and a glitter pom-pom for the nose. The handle was from the same dark brown felt as the body. The only stitching was down the centre back to re-inforce the glued seam, and a couple of running stitches to hold 2 layers of felt together on the antlers to give them a bit of body. They were cute as well, and took about 25 minutes to make including waiting in line for the dreaded glue bottles. I have promised a craft project for the Christmas party day as well, it will have to be a really easy one with NO GLUE. (can you guess I spent 15 minutes cleaning glue off tables and brushes and myself at the end of the session?)

Dolly peg angels for the kids' group

This weekend at my children's group we are making some cute angel decorations. It is inspired by a recent magazine project but I've changed it quite a lot to suit the children's skill level. We will paint the peg first, then they have panties made from strips of cloth wrapped baby-nappy style and glued on. The skirt is just a rectangle, fringed with pinking shears and gathered down from the top. There are arms from a strip of fabric knotted in the middle, a collar of gathered lace and plaited yarn hair wound around the head. The wings are glitter pipecleaners and circle the waist before forming the wings. A simple face and a loop for hanging on the back completes them. I will also have an even simpler project on hand for the littlies or anyone who doesn't want to make a "girlie" thing . I'll post that one up when I've made my sample. Hope they like them!!

Secret Santa idea

Here is my version of a project in Handmade magazine Vol 23 no. 9. Each member of our EG group is making one for themselves and putting their name on it. At our November meeting we will do a Secret Santa draw. Each person will then have the challenge of finding a small gift, or making one, for the person they drew out. Then in December at the Christmas meeting, we will all see how well we know our fellow group members!! One of the ladies also suggested we make a few extra bags, to be filled with some little goodies for residents in aged care etc. We thought that was a lovely idea, so some people will donate the items for the bags while others get to work making the bags themselves. Christmas is now only 2 months away, wow, has the year flown by?