Design No.11 Started

One question that I pondered at this point was the choice of thread colour to use to do the transfer tacking of the design. 

I could have 

• matched the the thread to the colour of the piece to be stitched so it would blend
• used the same colour thread as the fabric which could make it hard to see
• used a contrast colour that could be removed if I wanted to as I stitched

I like to think common sense won out and I went with a contrast thread.

It wasn't so bad to do. Sure it took a little while but I found removing the tissue paper less fun, especially where little bits got caught. 

I removed all the tissue paper at once.

I have since learnt that you could remove the tissue paper as you progress with the stitching. This would protect the fabric and transfer tacking as you complete the design. I must try it sometime but to be honest as doing all the Stem Stitch Scrolls was first up, it wouldn't have made much difference.

Then it was time to start stitching and this is where I got up to before life intervened and my Intermediate Crewel Class started.

I didn't like the Long and Short Stitch in the Blue Leaf, that was going to have to come out for sure. It looks a bit like Block Shading to me - no long and longer happening here! 

I did have some 'thread encounters' when bits of the tacking thread seemed to get stubbornly intertwined into the crewel wool and made life a little difficult, especially if it involved a knot. 

I wish I had read Mary Corbet's Needlenthread : Transferring an Embroidery Pattern using Tracing Paper before I started as I could only agree with her conclusions:

• think very carefully about the colour thread you are going to use, it turns out not to be as invisible as you first thought
• Mary recommends no knots - I did knot as I went, my mistake and I wouldn't do it again
• remove the tracing paper carefully, it comes away readily enough but so might your stitches
• have tweezers handy, you will need them to tease out those last bits of fluffy tracing paper or stubborn bits of thread

This technique does a good job transferring your design accurately, I would do it again.

It will be a while before Design No. 11 makes another appearance, all the while that Blue Leaf will bug me!

Design No.1 Finished

Having received so much encouragement and instruction there was nothing left to do but have a go at long and short stitch. And I think that I did okay.

I was a little surprised how blended the first and second shade of green were. While you can recognise the three rows of stitching you can't distinguish the three greens so easily. 
I must mention that I did substitute the Appletons colours from the original instructions and used shades 342, 343 and 346. I think using 344 rather than 343 would probably have been a better choice in this leaf size. 

So, some additional Crewel Embroidery rules:

• take care with colour selection, be aware there are up to 9 shades (or values) of a single colour with Appletons Crewel wools
• if you strictly alternate stitch lengths when doing long and short stitch then you will probably end up with the same ladder effect as I did below. It is fine but as you get more experience you develop the skill to blend your long and longer stitches and no more ladder look.

Don't you just love being a beginner and starting something new - such enthusiasm to get a project finished. When I look back now at Design No.1 I find that from start to finish was only seven days. No risk of a UFO* here!

Stitching dimensions: Width 10cm x Height 11 cm

Finishing dimensions: Width 12cm x Height 14.5 cm

Fabric: Linen

Thread: Appletons Crewel Wool Mid Olive Green 342, 343, 346

Design Source: Shelagh Amor Design No. 1, Crewel Embroidery - A Practical Guide

*UFO: UnFinished Object or PHD if you prefer, Project Half Done.

An invitation I couldn't resist!

It turned out to be a very productive time, early 2011. I am still not sure why or how, but an email turned up one day inviting me to join an online embroidery forum called Stitchaholics. 

Using social media software supplied by NING, Stitchaholics was created by Caroline Sumeray and has since maintained a steady and loyal following. For me, I suddenly found myself part of a stitching fraternity frequented by many encouraging and supportive online friends. The common language of embroidery transcending language and borders.

I joined the Crewel and Jacobean Embroidery Group and was encouraged to provide photos of my efforts. When these were posted I was provided with constructive and positive feedback.

And why wouldn't I pay attention to the advice given when you find out one of your online mentors, RaeleneV, had recently finished her own magnificent crewel worked piano stool. And the primary stitch? You guessed it, long and short stitch!

Piano Stool designed and stitched by RaeleneV

It was actually suggested to me by an experienced stitcher that I should wait until I was in a classroom before I tackled long and short stitch. To make sure I got the right instruction from day one. I think this was very good advice. But as it turned out, the classroom was online. 

In response to my obvious apprehension RaeleneV, posted the following step by step guide to producing long and short stitch leaves for Design No. 1.

You can only reach the same conclusions that I did:

• the stitch really should be called Long and Longer Stitch
• those instructional line drawings we often see do give you a sense of the technique but worked thread shows far more
• that RaeleneV knows what she is talking about and cared enough to share it
• that I can learn online

Note: for those interested in joining Stitchaholics please leave a Comment