Mabel's RSN Certificate - canvas

[Mabel Figworthy]

Lyudmila, that looks like a sort of double-sided technique, very interesting!
I meant something a little different though - in most freestyle embroidery you stitch things that are in the background first, and then the things that are a bit nearer to the viewer, and so on, until you reach the things in the foreground. So if parts of the design overlap, you would stitch the overlapping bit last, and that makes it look more convincing. But in canvaswork you stitch the foreground first, and end with what is furthest away in the picture. As far as I understand, this is because the further back in the design, the smaller the stitches - and it is much easier to work small stitches around large ones than fit large ones into a background made up of small stitches!

[wendywombat]

That reminds me of seeing Aubusson tapestries.
They are worked from the reverse. The weaver just has a chart from which to work and the Face of the tapestry isn't seen until the whole thing is finished!!

[rcperryls]

Lyudmila, that is an interesting video. I also don't get why it is stitched on the "wrong" side. I agree with Mabel, it does look double sided since both sides are lovely.

Mabel, thank you for explaining what you meant about stitching front to back. Had my mind boggled for an instance, but what you said seems to make sense. I'll be interested in what you think about it as you are stitching.

Wendy, I don't know what an Aubusson tapestry is (going to google it now), but years ago I remember being at Epcot at Disney World in the China pavilion and watching a woman embroidering. It was definitely two sided, but both sides were different. I never figured it out then, and I can't now.

Carole

[Podolyanka]

Nyzynka definitly has different sides, I remember I did it at some point, but it was too hard on my eyes(is stitched on home made linen, which is not a perfect even weave), so I gave it up for good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0OUzqHLqEs

[Serinde]

As for its being familiar, if you scroll back through this thread you will see the photograph it is based on (and will hopefully look like by the time it's finished...)

Scroll back? Well... duh! I blame it on the congestion of birthdays this time of year. Brain is soggy.

[Mabel Figworthy]

It's been a while since I updated this and that was mainly because over the festive period nothing much canvassy happened
In fact so little happened that I chose to postpone my second class by a week just so I could get a decent-ish amount of homework done to show the tutor . I'm writing all this up in FoF in instalments, so although I've had that second class here is my progress in preparation for it. Which was basically a lot of sampling, which unfortunately doesn't look very decorative - but it's a very necessary part of the process.

Here is my first shot at stitch transitions (blending from one type of stitch into another):



Here is the silk I've chosen for the sky (and the perle cotton, underneath it, which I rejected) plus two goes at a small roof done in slanted buttonhole stitch:



And some Turkey rug stitch (loops as yet uncut) which I hope will transform into shaded bushes:

[rcperryls]

For some reason the middle photo isn't showing, but the other two are. I read the details in FoF and it was fascinating. The difference between canvass and all the other modules or classes or techniques (not sure what to call them) you have already learned and, IMHO mastered, seems more significant. I can imagine how beautiful the final piece will be. It also seems like there is a wider variety of threads used in this or am I just assuming that based on looking at the different samples you did? Can't wait for more updates.

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Odd, I can see all three oh well, technology

It also seems like there is a wider variety of threads used in this

Yes, there is - although the tutors will advise you not to go overboard and throw the kitchen sink at it you are allowed any and every thread that enhances the piece by bringing the right texture etc.

[rcperryls]

now I see there middle photo too. The error message must have corrected itself.

Carole

[Serinde]

Very interesting. Sampling is always an important part of designing (same in weaving). What count is the canvas? I'm sure you've said, but I've forgotten.

[Mabel Figworthy]

18ct. So far I had only done some needlepoint on 24ct Congress cloth, so i was rather aghast at the amounts of thread this count takes to get good coverage!

[Serinde]

Want a box of "tapestry" wool... Weaving is much the same -- depending on the set and the fibre, 4, 5 or 6+ strands might be needed. Luckily, laying them flat isn't really an issue.

[Squirrel]

Cerainly an interesting array of stitches and fabric.

[wendywombat]

I looked at these when you first posted but was om y phone app so didn't get chance to reply until today.

I love these sample pictures.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Lexi inspects my Canvaswork doodle cloth. I haven't heard what she thinks of it yet

[wendywombat]

Lexi is certainly giving your Doodle Cloth very close scrutiny.

She'll let you know her verdict when she's ready

[fccs]

Is Lexi contemplating a plan of attack? (Your doodle cloth is really pretty.)

[Steam.Jo]

I think she might be checking you haven't pinched any of her hairs and tried adding those to you design

Jo

[Mabel Figworthy]

I think she might be checking you haven't pinched any of her hairs and tried adding those to you design

That, I'm afraid, needs no checking at all - it's a given!

[Serinde]

I absolutely love doodle cloths! Goodness, that tulip is complicated...