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. 11 Selected

I was successful in my application to do the EGV Intermediate Crewel Class but there was a little bit of time to fill before it started so I selected another design from Shelagh Amor's book - Crewel Embroidery - A Practical Guide.

I had admired this design from the moment I saw it. All those gorgeous scrolling curves and such a variety of stitches to work.

There were some other things I wanted to try as well:

• using another fabric not the usual linen twill
• working a larger design on a frame (fabric measurement is 50cm x 40cm)
• trying out a different transfer method, this time tacking the design through tissue paper.

Fabric

I had recently bought some twill fabric at a Craft Fair in two colours. This fabric was a fairly heavyweight linen/cotton mix and was quite sturdy. I did ask around about a good test to see if a fabric can handle Crewel Embroidery and testing French Knots with 2 strands of Crewel wool in a Size 3 needle seemed a reasonable trial. My fabric choice was fine.

I chose the natural stone colour to use but did decide to back the fabric with some lightweight interfacing. I had an idea at the time of what the completed piece might turn into so wanted to cover all bases.

Design Transfer

The design was then traced onto tissue paper directly from the A4 page in the book. This is a particularly good feature about this book, the designs are life size and instantly usable. No mucking around with photocopiers or trying to re-size the patterns bigger or smaller. Everything is ready to use.

Framing Up

By now I had read about Slate Frames and how Crewel Embroidery is traditionally done on such frames. Slate Frames are different from Tapestry Frames in that the side bars have holes spaced along them to enable the fabric tension to be controlled effectively.

Slate Frame side bar and cotter pin

However Slate Frames aren't as readily available as Tapestry Frames and can be relatively expensive so I settled for buying a Tapestry Frame large enough to trace the complete design. 

I imagine you could roll the fabric around the end rollers of a Tapestry Frame if you had an even larger design but that would entail lots of re-lacing and re-tightening of screws and wingnuts. Now that would be a distraction if you were well into the stitching!

But for me and and as I wanted to give working with a larger frame a try, I was very happy with my Tapestry Frame set up - so far, so good.

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.

Design No. 1 Started

So what would be the right size project to get started on?

Having borrowed Crewel Embroidery - A Practical Guide from the *EGV Library and having the author available for extra help it seemed silly not to go to the first project in the book called quite simply 'Design No.1".

*EGV = Embroiderers Guild of Victoria : http://www.embroiderersguildvic.org/

There are very clear instructions on the requirements you need for the project and I was very keen to get going. I used:

• a piece of tightly woven linen fabric
• size 3 & 4 Crewel needles
• Appletons Crewel wool in 3 shades of the one colour
• a wooden hoop with the inner ring bound
• Embroidery scissors
• tracing paper
• a transfer pen, water eraseable

I don't know about you but I love nothing more than wandering into an Embroidery Supply Shop and looking at all the glorious threads. Inevitably I buy something because I can't resist and my stash gets bigger with all the best of intentions. 

To purchase threads with purpose is an even better experience especially when they are the last remaining requirement needed to get a new project started. 

As you can imagine there was no waiting around until next months Guidance Group now. Once the the design was traced and transferred I was on my way following the instructions carefully.

This picture is about the half-way point in Design No. 1 - next I needed to tackle Long and Short Stitch. And being the Harry Potter fan that I am, it seemed to me that when you mention 'Long and Short Stitch' you might as well be saying 'Voldemort' at the top of your voice, such is the reaction of many an experienced stitcher!

Very important Crewel Embroidery rules I had learned at this stage:

• Always stitch the furthest away element first and then work your way forward
• Woollen thread should be cut into lengths of no more than 18 inches
• Use a size 3 needle for two threads and a size 4 for one thread
• You need a sharp pair of Embroidery scissors

If you would like to know more about Crewel Embroidery - A Practical Guide it has been reviewed by Mary Corbet on Needle 'n' Thread.

What is a 'Doodle Cloth'?

I went to my first Guidance Group Meeting at the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria in February 2011. Known as 'Shelagh Amor's Group', some 20 or more delightful ladies turn up on the third Wednesday of each month to 'chat & stitch'. I have to admit some months are more 'chat' than 'stitch'!

This Guidance Group has been running for over forty years and has seen many members come and go. The one constant of course, has been Shelagh.

"I joined the Embroiderers Guild in 1968 after seeing an exhibition of members’ work. I was inspired by everything I saw at that exhibition. The work of some of the early members such as Phyllis Strangward, Ethel Oates, Lesley Uren, Edna Wark and Merle Whittle was magnificent. From then on, a needle was never far from my hand. The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria has been a means of learning many embroidery techniques but above all it has lead to many firm friendships." Shelagh Amor http://www.embroiderersguildvic.org/

As we settled in on that first evening Shelagh asked me what I planned to do and out came a tumble of words about the Majestie piece I had started. After listening patiently Shelagh just asked "Do you have a doodle cloth?". Well that stopped me in my tracks, "A what?" was my reply.

Before you know it, I had a piece of inexpensive calico sitting in a 6" inch wooden hoop as tight as a drum. A simple curved line was drawn and on it Stem Stitch was started. The hoop was handed back to me with the needle ready to do the next stitch. My turn to try out Stem Stitch on my 'doodle cloth'. It actually takes no more than that to start Crewel Embroidery.

I have retired that doodle cloth now as it is pretty much full but I have just prepared another for a friend about to try out some Trellis work. So a number of things became apparent to me that night:

• that I wanted to be able to stitch Crewel Embroidery like Shelagh Amor
• I should start with something simpler than Majestie as my first piece
• and never be without a doodle cloth!

Footstool designed and stitched by Shelagh Amor

Inspired, encouraged and taught by one very fabulous lady, thank you Shelagh.

In the Meantime

During the same holiday break I also decided to find out more about Embroidery in my home town. While I knew of a number of retail shops I didn't know much more. You can imagine how delighted I was to find out about the Embroiderer's Guild of Victoria (EGV). Thank you Google!

I joined the EGV in January 2011. 

While the EGV has turned out to be more inspirational than I could ever have imagined the first five things that I benefited from were:

1. Guidance Groups
   There were so many Guidance Groups to choose from but one selected me - Shelagh Amor's Group who meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in the evening. Why was this so perfect? As I am a full time worker the evening timeslot was great but even better was meeting Shelagh Amor, author of Crewel Embroidery - A Practical Guide.



2. New Members Group
   On the second Saturday of the month for all of 2011, I visited Embroidery House and learned all about the EGV and how it operated. In addition, each month a guest speaker would introduce an Embroidery technique to new members. I saw so many new things to try.
3. Classes
   Scheduled for March 2011, I enrolled in my first Class, Beginner's Crewel (over 2 separate days). I also had my eye on the Intermediate Crewel Class that was to start in July 2011 which would be scheduled over 3 months.
4. Library
   Books, books and more books on Embroidery. I could borrow four at a time for a month as a member. So I did, every month until I had read all the books on the Crewel shelf. 
5. Threadlines Magazine
   At the start of each month, the EGV's Threadlines magazine arrives in my mailbox. It is full of updates and information and most importantly the upcoming Class schedule.

I felt like I had hit the Embroidery jackpot and the truth is I had.