fccs’s Tess 2nd place county fair 2022

[fccs]

I thought I had already started a thread for this but I can’t find it. I’m stitching “Tess” by Thea Gouverneur because it reminds me of my Jackson. I started it in July (just a few stitches) and picked it up again last night. Instead of the fabric it came with, I’m using 18 count easy count Aida.

Tess is the top kitty face:



This is Jackson:



This is my progress.

[Roland]

Fresh starts are always fun.

Cute kittie.

[Squirrel]

A good start on this oh so real looking design.

[rcperryls]

A good start on this oh so real looking design.

I agree completely!!! What does Jackson think?

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

That will make a great portrait!

[wendywombat]

Amazing detail!

I stitched a cat portrait for my mum many years ago. It looked very much like one of her previous cats.
She had it on the wall for a while then took it down because she didn't like being watched by it!! I also have to say that I don't like pictures with Direct Eye contact.

[fccs]

Amazing detail!

I stitched a cat portrait for my mum many years ago. It looked very much like one of her previous cats.
She had it on the wall for a while then took it down because she didn't like being watched by it!! I also have to say that I don't like pictures with Direct Eye contact.

Maybe I’ll hang it in the guest room just to creep out friends who visit.

What does Jackson think?

Carole

Well, you know how cats are. Even if he approved, he’d probably hide that from me. He did enjoy laying next to me while I worked on it. I think it was a deliberate to get as much of his fur into it as he could.

[wendywombat]

Amazing detail!

I stitched a cat portrait for my mum many years ago. It looked very much like one of her previous cats.
She had it on the wall for a while then took it down because she didn't like being watched by it!! I also have to say that I don't like pictures with Direct Eye contact.

Maybe I’ll hang it in the guest room just to creep out friends who visit.


Or put it on the inside of the door to the bathroom!! Just in front of where guests sit for business!!

[fccs]

I've been working on Tess lately. I've decided to try one color at a time over the entire design (minus the stitches I miss...oops). One of my friends stitches many of her full coverage designs one color at a time. It would be much easier if the chart was searchable, but I'm just working from a PDF I scanned from the paper chart. I kind of like the method right now but we'll see how I feel when more of the design is done. So here is Tess, as of last night.

[Podolyanka]

I would not recommend the method of one colour at a time. The shortest way to a mistake. I stitch one element at a time- for example, if it is a cat, one paw, chin, mouth, nose, eyes, forehead, etc.

[rcperryls]

I have never stitched all of one color first and then one more etc. I usually do sections at a time. Especially if the colors are close. I find the counting easier that way.
Looks like you are doing really well so far. Looking forward to seeing more of Jackson!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

I have stitched in this one-colour-at-a-time method and I love the way the design builds up that way. But the projects I've done this on were much smaller than yours, so I can't comment on how well it would work for a large project with a lot of confetti.

[Squirrel]

Its taking shape beautifully.

[fccs]

I’m trying to be very careful with my counting and placement of stitches. Working from my tablet helps because I can zoom in and out and around. For me, it would be impossible without the gridded fabric. Also, the design isn’t super big, which helps. (I can see the entire design in my hoop.) I’ve never done one element at a time but that’s something I might try with the right design. I think it would be fun to see each element individually, but I really am a cross country stitcher at heart.

[Steam.Jo]

I can see him looking at us

I will be interested to hear more of your thoughts of (going all over the place) using one colour at a time. I find it too easy to loose count but do not grid out my fabric.

Jo

[wendywombat]

The only time I stitched one colour at a time was when I stitched a dapple grey horse. The greys were so similar so I started with the darkest to light.
Also the only time where I photocopied several 'working copies' of the chart and marked the colours off as I stitched. The resulting design was superb.

I think your progress is fantastic and I can see the shape of the cat coming out clearly.

[Serinde]

I think what this discussion has shown us is... horses for courses?

I have never stitched one element completely in a design. My ability to count beyond five is always iffy.

[Nicola Main]

Wow Debby what a beautiful start! I will usually pick one colour and stitch all of that then pick another rather than do lots of colour changes.

[Roland]

I love the way the picture grows with one colour at a time. But I could never do it.

I like the style some people where they have colours threaded at once. I tried that, and I think if I was working on a scroll I would enjoy it, but not when I’m holding my project. I just sort of wander around doing whatever part catches my fancy. Don’t think there’s a name for it. “Anna’s Mishmash”

[fccs]

I’ve done a bit more on Tess, still working one color at a time (very carefully). This is where I stopped tonight.