Over the past week or so I have been working on a stripped design, aiming to fill each vertical stripe with a different texture, some low relief and some more textured. At the moment, I am particularly fascinated by pulled work, so these have featured heavily.
The area on the left is filled with satin stitch worked in a zig-zag pattern over a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 threads, #8 cotton perle. Actually, I am a little pleased with this bit. Random usually terrifies me, but for once, I just went with it, rather than trying to work out a random pattern.
To the right is cobbler filling, also worked in #8 cotton perle. Nothing random here, a straight forward pattern.
These two areas are seperated by a row of Portuguese Stem Stitch worked in 12 strands of Soie Cristale. Sharon had commented on an earlier sample of this stitch that it worked well in thicker threads, so I decided to give it a go. I agree, the thicker thread shows the stitch of well.
I enjoyed working the zig-zag satin stitched so decided to try it again, this time in a regular pattern over 6 threads, again in #8 cotton perle. I really like the pattern created in the fabric.
Next, I worked a stripe in four sided stitch. Again, this is a regular pattern and it creates a lovely texture. These 2 stripes are seperated by a line of heavey chain, stitched in Mulberry Silk.
From a question posed in the class forum, and rereading the instructions, I realised that my earlier attempts at Portuguese Stem Stitch were not stitched correctly (although I like them as they are) so I tried again, wrapping the stitch twice as per the instructions, rather than once, as I had done previously.
I worked two rows, one going up and one down, expecting to get a mirrored effect, but I realise now that I should have worked both rows in the same direction, but one left-handed and one right-handed. Between them I worked a row of cable stitch in a twisted rayon.
Happy stitching
4 comments:
Got some fascinating stitches and samples there, Carol-Anne! Quite a change from JE too, huh? Almost tempted to try it myself, but I have enough trouble keeping up (not that I'm *ever* caught up) with my C&G work!
Hi, Carol-Anne!
These samples are positively TERRIFIC. They look great! I was trying to figure out your first attempt at Portuguese knotted stem stitch. I thought, "Wow, it sure does look different with thick thread - the knot is completely worked into the stitch!" Despite the ... er.... "mistake," I think it was a happy mistake. I like the first attempt a lot! It looks like a nice, smooth heavy braid, and makes a really pretty divider.
What fabric are you using? Is it a congress cloth? or linen? Or...?
What a fun sampler! I started doodling up a whitework sampler that incorporates pulled and drawn threads, schwalm work, mountmellick techniques, etc. You've inspired me to keep going on that.... once time allows!
Thanks for the fun post!
I love looking at all the stitches you have used, makes me wish I had taken the course now!
These samples are looking very effective. I have to confess that the lessons have taken a back seat to Christmas cards and presents lately - one more to do then I can get back to the hand sewing again
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