Mabel's Hardanger

[Mabel Figworthy]

I've got a pair of stork scissors, and these precision scissors -- strangely enough, the stork scissors have the finer points. I'm thinking of getting these Janome Fine Point scissors, but it's difficult to judge from the computer screen; what I really want is a local shop where I can look at them and touch them and try them!

The ones you linked to do look very fine indeed, but $53 plus postage to the UK oh my, I'd need to do an awful lot of miniature hardanger to justify that !

[Mabel Figworthy]

Before I got into my idiotic 18-part experiment, I had already started a project on 28ct opalescent Lugana (lovely fabric!) and last night I finally finished it. Cutting was quite fiddly but I managed it in the end; poking the ends in was quite time consuming -- #8 gives just about enough coverage but isn't thick and plump enough to push cut ends behind easily. I may try #5 on 28ct although I think that may become bunched up and too thick. Anyway, I did like the effect of the sparkly fabric with the hardanger, and also how fine it looks on 28 as opposed to 22ct!

[Mabel Figworthy]

And a quickie experiment -- I came across a website which mentioned adding "suspended beads" to the cut areas of hardanger, so I had a go. Because I used #8 for the thinner thread instead of #12 of course I couldn't use a size 28 needle and seed beads, which I had intended, so I looked through a tube of mixed beads I got as a 10,000 post present and chose some which I think were pony beads. I like the effect, and want to try it with smaller beads held in with an adapted square fillet stitch. It would look nice in a card with an aperture both sides, I mean so that you can look through the embroidery.

Photographed on a solid surface:



Photographed held up against the window (unfortunately that makes stray threads from the back shine through -- that'll teach me to keep my backs tidy!)

[mig-3]

The ones you linked to do look very fine indeed, but $53 plus postage to the UK oh my, I'd need to do an awful lot of miniature hardanger to justify that !

I understand that. That's why I only have two pair. The Dovos may be a symptom of my y-chromosome. Men and their tools, you know. Their craftsmanship and precision are wonderful. The finger loops and lower handle have a very subtle design, which allows my larger fingers and thumb to fit comfortably and have precision cutting without binding or fully locking my fingers in the loops.

You're really on a tear with these designs. Such beautiful work; perhaps you're channeling a bit of Norse heritage?

[Trylla]

Mabel -- your work is stunning, simply stunning!! I am in awe and in love with it. I wish I had the talent and patience that you do. Bravo!

[Nachstenliebe]

I am amazed yet again, Mabel! Look at how the beads catch the light
Faith

[Rose]

You do fantastic work!!!!!!

[karen4bells]

Beautiful!! Just beautiful!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thanks all ! Here's number two in the list of experiments, and also my notes on the first two, plus on some other fabric/thread combinations I used in other projects



Notes:
18ct gold-fleck white evenweave; #5 / #8 dark red, different motif
Coverage very thin; cut ends almost impossible to get rid of.
20ct brick red Bellana; CWC / CWF 240 Stucco
Coverage OK but not as good as I’d like; cut ends difficult to poke away. CWF good thickness for needle weaving.
20ct light grey Bellana; #5 / #8 white
Coverage in the Kloster blocks less good than when using CWC; some of them looking definitely thinnish, even with little contrast between the fabric and thread. #8 seems a little thick for needle weaving but this may be because I didn’t pull it very tight.
25ct white Lugana; #8 / #12, Victoria Sampler kit
Coverage thinnish; works because it’s white on white but wouldn’t otherwise, I feel.
36ct antique white linen; #12 blue, Kloster blocks only
Coverage quite thin; would probably work white on white but not with contrasting threads and fabric.

[Fljotsdale]

I'm in awe. Mabel. Beautiful work - and your colour sense is excellent!

[Cockneystitcher]

Love the one on the Opalescent fabric,so pretty.

[Murmured]

I love the little piece with the suspended beads! It's so cute, stunning work as usual mabel, I love looking at your WIP threads everyday to see what exciting new things you've been doing

[annkor26]

These are so pretty! I may have to give hardanger another go one of these days; I've only done a couple of little beginner pieces.

[K1nS]

[Mabel Figworthy]

Had a lovely stitchy afternoon yesterday and did 2 more from the list of experiments:



22ct antique white Oslo; CWC / CWF 200 Aquamarine
Nice plump coverage in the Kloster blocks, and CWF being in thickness between #8 and #12 is just the right thickness for the needle weaving (partly this is a personal preference; I like the bars and filling stitches to be relatively fine). Oslo (which is a softer, smoother version of hardanger fabric) is very easy to cut and the ends are easily poked away.



22ct antique white Hardanger; #5 / #8 Anchor 1344
It’s easy to see why this is the most common combination of thread and fabric for Hardanger nowadays – great coverage in the Kloster blocks and a lovely textured sheen both there and in the needle weaving. If you prefer your bars and fillings finer than #8, use #12 instead.

[XandraS]

Beautiful hardanger Mabel, love looking at your experiments, it's making me want to try myself.

[charmagne_capalad]

Those are really AWESOME, Mabel!

[Lizzieh]

A lot to catch up on in this thread. The suspended bead one is absolutely stunning.

[2Danes]

I love these!!

I have a question What keeps the threads from pulling out anymore then what you have cut?

[socialsue]

Wow! Beautiful colors and awesome!

socialsue