Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

So I was thinking -- some Hardanger is done on 20ct fabric -- and I've got some 20ct aida -- I wonder....

Well, if you were wondering too you can stop now; it's horrible . Here is the result, with my comment as usual:



20ct aida; CWC / CWF 160 Night Sky
Coverage not too bad, but the cutting and especially the withdrawing was a nightmare and it was impossible to get rid of all the cut ends. Definitely not recommended!

I think it looks very nice.

Even though cutting through it was tough, it still looks pretty!

Must admit that I've never seen Hardanger on Aida. Maybe that's why. Nice try though.

Used some of my lovely free time today to stitch the card for our cousin's wedding -- as I said their house is already so cluttered with cushions, pictures, mats, and anything else you can think of on every available surface that I didn't think they needed another decorative item ! But they've asked for contributions towards a wood-burning stove, and ours will be given inside this card (well, this is the stitching, I still have to mount it).

It's a Hardanger and ribbon heart based on a Victoria Sampler freebie ornament, and it's stitched on 22ct hand-dyed light blue evenweave using Pearl #5 (Anchor 1031) and #8 (DMC 3753), sheer white and green ribbon, Mill Hill seed beads (03050 champagne ice) and Petite Treasure Braid (04 Silver).

The ribbon is going to complicate the mounting a bit -- it will need wadding, but obviously I can't put wadding behind the cut areas . I think I will "line" the cut bits with dark blue felt and then put wadding behind the whole thing. I'll let you know how it works out !



I wanted to keep the ribbon green and white as those are the colours of her floral arrangements, but it complicated the choice of pearl thread -- my DMC Blanc looked VERY grubby next to the bright white ribbon! So I used very light blue instead which I think did the trick.

That's lovely, Mabel!

And I agree with you about the 20ct. The stitching is good, as usual, the fabric spoils it.

Very lovely!

Nice card, Mabel.

I tried hardanger on aida once. Grabbed fabric I thought was 22ct, used some lovely caron threads, thought to myself 'this design is slightly big...' but didn't STOP right then and use a ruler, did I? No. I persevered, having stitched so much, but was totally defeated trying to get the... ruddy... threads.... out (*oof*). 18ct Aida. Aida and hardanger Do Not Mix, no Precious, they don't.

Lovely card!

I can't believe you described this as a quick stitch! Your needle must just be a blur. It looks amazing as always! I love the ribbon work, it just adds a whole other dimension to the card (literally too).

Murmured wrote:I can't believe you described this as a quick stitch! Your needle must just be a blur.

I can assure you it was fairly leisurely (I haven't got the energy for more than "leisurely" at the moment!) . It's one of the things I like about both Hardanger and ribbon work, they are a LOT quicker than cross stitch and look very impressive for relatively little effort!

Finished the second model mat for the stitching course, this one uses Caron threads and white pearl, and filling stitches over uncut areas (which are more defined in ral life than in the photo):



I then turned this one and its "sibling" into a needlebook with some dark green felt -- and then realised that a) the other mat was not exactly the same size even though it should have been -- must have got my tension wrong, and b) the first mat used Anchor 926 which is off-white, and I used DMC white on the second... Fortunately neither point is too noticeable

Great needle book Mabel. I love the colours. I also like the uncut areas with filling stitches, sounds like something I'd like to try, and subsequently great for beginners!

Very pretty needlebooks, Mabel!

Murmured wrote:Great needle book Mabel. I love the colours. I also like the uncut areas with filling stitches, sounds like something I'd like to try, and subsequently great for beginners!

I totally agree---this is something that would definitely make me want to learn--in fact, I may just have to try it out soon

Mabel, that needlebook is so beautiful!

Lovely work Mabel. I really love the wedding gift you made. Good thinking to change the ribbon to fit in with the stitching.

karen4bells wrote:in fact, I may just have to try it out soon

Well, the charts are in the General section !

Mabel Figworthy wrote:

karen4bells wrote:in fact, I may just have to try it out soon

Well, the charts are in the General section !

Managed to download both the hardanger design charts--thank you so much for sharing

Love the hardanger wedding card Mabel.