Mabel's SAL

[Mabel Figworthy]

thanks all It was definitely a bit daunting, but I thought I'd better try as small as I could if I was going to practice for the real thing
To give you an idea, here it is on the tip of my index finger:

[Lizzieh]

Mabel, for someone who has only just done her first bit of hardanger I think you are an inspiration!!

Liz

[Slinky]

thanks all It was definitely a bit daunting, but I thought I'd better try as small as I could if I was going to practice for the real thing
To give you an idea, here it is on the tip of my index finger:

Amazing!

[kerbear879]

As I was scrolling down, I was just thinking "I wonder how big that square is if it's on 32 count because it looks sooo big in the picture"...then I scroll down and see it sitting on your finger and I've just now picked my jaw up off my keyboard!

[~threadbear~]

Well I've just noticed that I managed to post my reply twice last time, which I can only put down to shock!
If this one goes on 10 times, after looking at that sat on your finger ... you'll know why, I'm dumbfounded, flabbergasted, astounded ... and all those 'astonished' type things.

[Rose]

What can I say..........

[carolynbb]

Pardon my french, but HOLY CRAP!!!

Also, I'm jealous of your camera that you get such clear photos of something that small!

[freelady]

Mabel, I am in total awe of you. You are amazing.

I'd have trouble seeing your work without a microscope let alone a maginfier. It's all so stunning and a joy to watch.

Add to that the fact that you work, have other interests and a family and it becomes more amazing yet.

Thank you for sharing all this with us.

[kell]

Your work never ceases to amaze me! So tiny and exquisite!

[Lessa54]

Apologies to everyone who heard that loud clonk - it was just me falling off my chair when I saw the pictures

I'm amazed at how neat and how small that is!

[*barb*]

thats grand mabel. I cant believe how small it is, i just got to clean the computer monitor now where my nose disturbed the dust whilst I had my face pressed against it to see it.

Nice fingerprints too

[Mabel Figworthy]

shucks girls, you're making me . What really helps is having extremely bad eyesight -- means that when I take off my glasses I can practically take the work up to my eyeballs, so I don't need any magnifier . Also I enjoy seeing how small I can go, which is a bit sad really. And conversely I am in complete awe of people who not only start but actually finish designs such as the HAEDs, which will forever be completely beyond me -- as you can tell from my signature even my two moderately large projects have now officially been designated UFOs

[Lizzy]

Beautiful stitching Mabel, Im gobsmacked at the tiny stitch size

[Mabel Figworthy]

Keeping the tea tray cloth for weekends, and having given up for the time being on my two UFO's, I've been doing a bit more hardanger. I'm working on a blue-on-white at the moment, but last night I finished one on 25ct soft green Lugana using Caron Wildflower and Watercolour thread -- I found it a very nice combination to work with and will probably do more of them!

It's also the first time I tried a four-sided hemming stitch, which is remarkably effective, I could trim it practically next to the stitches and it is perfectly solid! I'm rather pleased with that, also because the instructions on how to turn the corner weren't very detailed, and I added a stitch which helped keep it a bit more stable (sorry purists ).

A little disappointed about the cut ends -- the book said that with washing and pressing they'd disappear into the stitching, but they haven't. It may be partly that the thread contrasts rather strongly with the fabric; if I'd done it white on white it would probably not have shown so much. Definitely something to keep in mind for future projects!

Anyway, pictures! This is of the washed and ironed end product, both back and front (a few too many trailing threads at the back where I couldn't be bothered to fasten of and on again... it does show quite clearly how close you can crop the fabric to the hemstitch, though)

[Slinky]

That's really pretty Mabel.

[Lessa54]

This is beautiful. I love that thread and it's just perfect against that fabric colour

[Sarah Gixxer]

That's beautiful, Mabel, I love the colours and so neatly stitched.

I'm in total awe of that tiny piece sitting on the end of your finger. And if that's done with bad eyesight, I can't imagine what you'd stitch with perfect vision!

[Lizzieh]

Are you sure that is the back AND the front and not just two pictures of the front!!

Liz

[Nachstenliebe]

Mabel, you are my hero!!! I've said that before haha.. but you really are! You always take everything to the next level and push it to the extreme..
Faith

[mags]

that itty little bit
and well done on this one too