Mabel's WIPs

[Serinde]

I did laugh at the cook's match! Perfect.

I've never used appleton wools, but they sounds a nightmare. Did you have to split the strand to stitch?

[Mabel Figworthy]

No, I use it as it comes off the skein; I've used some subdued Jacobean shades on dark 14ct aida and that worked quite well, but this is a) a lower count and b) very exposed on that cream cloth, so perhaps that just shows up the problem more. A lady exhibiting at the Knitting & Stitching show said she was getting rid of all hers as she had found a much better-behaved crewel wool -- and of course I can't remember the name

Here's a pic of the project I did with the wools before:

[Cecilia]

Beautiful stitching as usual.

[pamelam]

That is so beautiful, Mabel!

[Serinde]

That's really lovely, especially on that dark material.

I'm going to be using Renaissance Dyeing crewel wool on this project for Edinburgh. Looks really nice, and I've actually seen specimens of the type, and it is gorgeous to work with, I'm told.

[Rose]

Oh that is very pretty on the dark blue!!!!!!!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Serinde, that may very well have been the brand she mentioned, the name rings a bell!

[Mabel Figworthy]

This is not really a WIP, but an experiment. As you may know DH took me to the needlework exhibition at Witney Antiques. It was gorgeous! and so interesting to be able to study these embroideries close up and see the stitching.

Unfortunately, although the catalogue/labels mentioned the materials and threads/beads/etc used, it didn't always say what technique was used. Even more unfortunately, where they did it was usually not too difficult to tell anyway (florentine work, couched metallics, beadwork, eyelets), but where I REALLY wanted to know, they kept silent!

One of the techniques I was curious about was the one used, among others, on this jacket panel and also on a smoking cap. It looked very much like a double silk thread couched. Here is a very small detail from the catalogue (Rose, do say if that's a copyright infringement and I'll take it down, but I hope as it's this small it won't be):



In some places you can see that there are two colours running underneath the same couching, which is how I could tell a double thread was used. The couching appears to be "bricked" inmost places, i.e. every next line of couching the little stitches are in a different place from the previous line.

There was only one problem -- I couldn't see the back of the jacket panel, but it was possible to look at the inside of the smoking cap, and all it showed was an outline of stitches. This suggested that it was almost like darning/weaving on top of the fabric -- lines of thread stretched (like satin stitch, only not going all the way round the back but taking the first stitch left to right, then next right to left and so on), then woven through.

So I thought I'd try both and see what looked most like the picture. On 36ct evenweave and using Japanese flat silk (thickness 10 sugas, if anyone is interested )I stitched a leaf free-hand using the darning method, and soon found that a) it is very difficult to make the shape you had in mind, b) the weaving gets terribly fiddly when you get to the final bits and c) it looks like a badly darned sock, albeit in silk. That last effect may of course be because of my lack of skill and experience with this particular technique .

I then stitched another leaf using the couched satin stitch method, and this was much easier to shape, much easier to work, and looked neater (I edged both leaves with Holbein stitch in a darker green). I liked it so much that I drew a tulip outline on the fabric and filled in the three petal, changing colour half-way through by couching one thread of each colour. I would like to have edged it in a darker pink but I only have two shades; I may edge it in the same colour. Here is a picture -- I had to use flash cause it's such a dark morning, but it'll give you an idea:



On non-count material you'd draw the outline and simply fill it, on counted material you can either draw an outline (as I did here) or make a chart. Either way, what I did was do two satin stitches on top of each other, then couch using the same thread by coming up a hole right above the threads, and taking it down the hole that the thread is covering. Skip one, then do the same. On the next line, use the holes that weren't used last time. Sorry that sounds a bit muddly but I hope the picture shows it clearly.

I love the texture and shine of this! Will be using it for other projects, I think, it is really relaxing to do. I may try it with other silks, and possibly perles and stranded cottons to see how the effect differs.

[Serinde]

Mabel, I bet the unknown stitch is trellis stitch. It's a kind of detached stitch, much used in times past. Here are instructions: http://www.plimoth.org/userfiles/file/T ... Stitch.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank

I warn you now, this website is a font of information, and also a dire warning!

[ali-cat]

Oh Mabel!! That tulip is amazing - I really love the stitching and the silks, even if reading your description made my head hurt, trying to understand!! It is absolutely beautiful!!

..... and I knew it!! You have a supply of two foot long matches, as well!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thanks ali !
Serinde, one of the stitches I was thinking of was one used in stumpwork, where they first make an outline in wire, then fill it up with rows of detached buttonhole stitch, is that the same as trellis stitch? I'm having a little trouble opening the link (my browser keeps shutting down whenever I try) but I'll have a good look at it when I manage to open it, thanks for that!
If it is like that detached buttonhole stitch, the smoking cap looked though it might be that but I think the jacket panel (of which I couldn't find a close-up picture to post) was couched.
Have designed a Tudor-ish cornflower to try later -- mind you, it will probably turn into a yellow carnation when stitched as I have no blue flat silks (apart from Eterna but I don't want to use those for this)

Edited:
Opened the file in another browser and I think you're right Serinde, it looks remarkably like the smoking cap and of course the back would only have that outline showing -- thanks for solving that for me! *makes mental note to try trellis stitch some time soon* *wonders whether it is as labour intensive as it looks *

Note on using the couched filling -- just realised that when working on counted fabric, you are a bit limited as to the direction of your laid (satin) stitches, whereas on non-count you can work in any direction you like.

[Like_Fine_VVine]

I agree with whoever said those descriptions made my head hurt....but OMG Mabel the stuff you do is soooo amazing!! Thanks for sharing

[Mabel Figworthy]

The descriptions were partly to get things clear in my own head so you're very welcome to skip them entirely!

[karen4bells]

Totally lovely stitching! I love coming to this topic to see what's new!!

[maggs]

Lovely stitching Mabel

[Rose]

The finished picture is very pretty but I agree with the girls about the description. My eyes were crossing and my mouth hung open in a huuuuuhhhhhhhh, expression.
Mabel you do beautiful work!!!!!!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

As some of you will know our church organises a Christmas Craft Event for the village's children every year, and I usually do a stitchy project for the slightly older children.

This year I designed a Christmas tree Fridge Magnet using coton a broder, beads and metallics on vinylweave. I stitched my model today, ironing out a few flaws in the design, and here it is:



The tree consists of rhodes stitch in two shades of green, cross stitch for the trunk, and 3mm round beads for the baubles; oh and Madeira no.20 for the star.

[aundria]

What a fun project for the kids! Nice work!

[meerkat]

Lovely tulip Mabel and I do like your tree.

[karen4bells]

What a cute and fun design for the kids to do!!