Podolyanka's Works 2019

[poppy]

Exquisite is the word to describe this table runner, Lyudmila

I really don't know how you manage to turn out such lovely pieces at the rate you do.

Exactly what I think too.

[Podolyanka]

In the times of my first months of retirement when i was not working, I could stitch one tablecloth per week just to stay sane. Now I have much less time for stitching, plus, I stitch sitting on the edge of the bed, so the back makes me stop for some rest every hour. All in all the latest (with two pots with flowers) tablerunner took me 3 weeks- not too fast at all.

Give me my comfortable armchair (at home, 500 km from here) and decent sunshine(I stitch much faster in spring and summer) and take away all the problems(I cant stitch when I worry) and I will show you what real fast stitching is about.
Joking apart, the "devil is in detail"- the very technique. Like old ladies in Western Ukraine, I dont use any hoops or frames, let alone stands. I cross stitch like we sew: one and only needle; the needl's movements are parallel, not perpendicular, to the fabric; one full stitch(cross) at a time; my threads are on bobbins as all organizers are waste of time to me. I take one small image- for example, two neighbouring flowers, or a piece of a pot among the leaves or a leaf. And stitch it until it is completed, from the darkest to the lightest colour. As simple as that. A least it works for me. Will never understand the parking method- are we earning daily bread or are we getting pleasure?

[Serinde]

I've been trying to stitch in hand as I work, taking a leaf from your book, on a large Elizabeth Almond design, and I'm finding that keeping all that fabric (28x40 inches) organised is aggravating. How do you manage excess fabric? (I've resorted to clothes pegs; may need something lighter... and cleaner!)

As for parking, well, I've found it useful in the HAED I have, but what a tangle of thread, and I do worry about the ultimate wastage. I wonder if there is a maximum number of threads for which the technique it is optimally efficient? One 10x10 section on my design can have 60 threads (which is utterly ridiculous, but that's another matter).

[wendywombat]

I always did stitch 'in-hand' until I was given a 'sit-on' hoop stand. I still use it but my Aristo lap stand and Millennium frame have taken over.
Also I couldn't stitch Hardanger or freestyle embroidery without a hoop. I like the little flexible ones.
When I did stitch 'in-hand' I found holding excess fabric difficult and also in winter my hands get very rough and chapped so hand cream is essential. Not a good idea and I also found that with excess handling the floss lost it's sheen.

Ah well...each to their own! It is, after-all meant to be an enjoyable hobby!

Parking!!! No, never done it! Just looking at all those dangling threads! Works for some but not for this Wombat!

[Garnet]

I stitch small projects - like cards and the like in hand, sometimes I use an R & R for larger portable projects otherwise it is my trusty roller frame on my Lowery stand.

Each to their own as Wendy says, although I do admit to being envious of those who can stitch rotations, I can only manage to have two or three little ones on the go as well as my main project, it's just too stressful for me otherwise, Rotationeers - please tell me how you do it.

I have my stash well trained, on the whole they wait patiently for their turn (apart from the Wrendale Rabbit - he IS calling to me!)

Parking,!!!!! Arrgghh, all those loose threads, how on earth do you keep track of which shade is which and not get mixed up, I can park different colours say red on the left, brown on the right, but that's as far as it goes.

I don't mind projects with a lot of colours, generally 50 - 60 is usual for me.

Oh, I never mark my chart either, I might want to stitch it again later on (not possible with Wrendales)

[rcperryls]

I'm another who cannot stitch in hand, though I have tried several times. I don't know how to manage the extra fabric and maintain any kind of tension. Similarly the few times I tried parking on HAED projects took me only to a mass of confusion. I keep each color threaded because I hate threading needles which means I have a somewhat cumbersome system of managing my threads. But to have 50 parked threads with needles hanging is more than my brain, let alone my hands manage. I admire those who can, but I have given up on those techniques.

Carole

[Podolyanka]

Serinder, you asked how I cope with all the fabric which may weigh a lot?

I used to stitch tablecloths 1.6x3.40metres, and it was hard on my left hand when I had to stitch in the centre of the fabric- I mean 80 cm from the edge which you had to hold in the left hand for hours. Sometimes I had to hold it from the opposite end just for the sake of holding a smaller weight. But with smaller designs, like tablerunners, let alone pictures, there is no problem whatsoever. A habit is a second nature.

[poppy]

Thank you, Lyudmila, for taking time in explaining how you stitch. It is very interesting as I know that the result is beautiful. I will give try, using no hoop, one cross at a time. I know that you use 3 threads for 14 count Aida too.

the needl's movements are parallel, not perpendicular, to the fabric;

I am not quite sure what you mean... do you mean not up through the fabric then straight down?
Could it be this movement ( but crossing each cross as you go along) ? :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KH0lqFrX3k

From the darkest to the lightest is a good point too.
Very helpful, thank you

[Podolyanka]

If I stitched with the speed of the lady in the video, I would be finishing the first corner of my 5th tablecloth by now(have stitched more than 100 of full size [2.30x1.50 or 1.60] tablecloths all in all).
When you use a hoop/frame, the needle goes through the fabric at 90 degrees angle (perpendicularly to the drum-like surface of the fabric), right? As I stitch, I hold the needle exacly like when I hand sew or backstitch- the hand does not go straight up and down, the angle is smaller than 90 degrees. This is so much easier on my hand and shoulder.

By the way, not using a stand sometimes makes me think if I were younger and richer. And admit that I would not. Because my problem with the back and shoulders would not let me sit like a mummy for hours. As it is, I change the posture as often as needed- always starting on the edge of the bed I may move to the computer chair or put my feet up on the bed with a pillow behind the back, or just walk to the kitchen and stitch sitting on a stool, but with my fabric and hands on the table to ease the shoulders. A stand would tie me up and sitting in the same position would be terrible.In one word, stitching in hands gives one full freedom. I watched my uncle's MIL stitching a folk costume for me when I needed it for dancing as a student of primary school- she would stitch in the garden, on the veranda, in the room at the table, on her sofa-bed with feet up, etc. This saved lots of time for stitching. While with stands everything is clear to me, I cant understand how a hoop held in one hand for hours can be more confortable than my stitching in hand. I do understand that some kinds of embroidery simply cant do without a drum-like tension, so why not a stand then, without a hoop? When I see my daughter embroidering her vyshyvankas, holding that hoop for hours, I feel so sorry about her left hand. But then a cut shirt most possibly cannot be stitched on a stand's frame due to its irregular shapes if you see what I mean. So sometimes a hoop is inevitable.
And to finish this "lesson": it is very important to hold your back straight as you stitch, not letting it turn into a "C" letter.If my English were better, this explanation would have taken a sentence or two. Our teacher always said that the better the command of the language, the shorter (because more exact) explanations. Sorry for taking so much of your time.

[fccs]

I love hearing how everyone stitches. I usually use a hoop, QSnap, scroll frame, or stretcher bars but am teaching myself to stitch in hand. I’ve always done small pieces in hand but I love the portability when stitching larger pieces in hand.

[Podolyanka]

P.S. Forgot to mention the main point: I put the needle through 2 holes at a time, if this makes sense.

Have just sat to stitch and caught myself on "watching" HOW I do it. Like in an old joke when a bearded man was sked where he puts his beard when he sleeps: under the quilt or onto it. Poor guy could not fall asleep all night thinking over the question.

[Serinde]

Yes, the sewing method rather than the stabbing method. I guess when working "in hand" tension is everything. It's so much easier to pull too much without the artificial help of a ring or frame to keep the fabric taut.

[poppy]

Thank you very much, Lyudmila for taking time and patience, explaining how you stitch. I am actually making notes for myself. It does make sense that stitching in hand makes your stitching more portable, so it is easier to stitch when you have a little window of spare time.

You are also right to say that it is important to move about when stitching for a length of time. I have stitched for an hour non stop before, not moving and I felt so stiff getting up afterwards : not good!

I have been given more hours at work and my husband is now retired, so my time stitching is limited. I always have a main project going . For the time in between, I would like to start on an afghan, which I have the material for, using your method.
Thank you again for your very educational explanation.

[Podolyanka]

All the pleasure is mine, Helene. I am really happy my "method" can be of some help.

[poppy]

You are kind, Lyudmila
I am now thinking... instead of the afghan, I will stitch the William Morris kit, which was a gift. It is a full "project" . I mean that it is all stitched , not gaps of the fabric showing. It is on 14 count. I need a magnifying glass when I work on evenweave . I will tell you how I get on.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thank you for your very clear explanation, Lyudmila, it is really interesting to hear how other stitchers work!