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maggs, although the ladies on my stitching course are also doing hardanger, they aren't cutting yet -- these are little ones I did myself as Christmas cards for the 10 ladies in the stitching group I go to myself. They were admiring one of the madonnas and joked that the forst ten would be for them; I thought that was taking things a bit too far but instead (and without telling them yet) I did these tiny hardangers for them.

Karen, #5 and #8 perle on 22ct hardanger fabric is more or less the "standard" combination and on the whole I've had no problems with it, except perhaps when there was a lot of contrast between fabric and thread (e.g. white on black, or dark blue on cream). Could it be that you are pulling the stitches a bit too tight? If you try to keep the tension a bit looser the threads may sit more plumply on the fabric.

Coverage is definitely good on 25ct, and on both fabrics 1 strand of Caron Watercolours (instead of #5) and Wildflowers (or Impressions) instead of #8 look lovely too.

I'm still working on that experiment with lots of different fabric/thread combinations, you can see the first few (with comments) in my Hardanger thread.

Thanks Mabel--I wondered if it was just due to the colors--I'm using red on white so that likely is part of it--think my tension is about where it should be--may need to loosen it up just a bit--will keep experimenting and I'll try on some other counts of evenweave too--and definitely will go read your Hardanger thread a bit more closely too. I may just have to go find some Caron watercolor threads on ebay

Edited--my brain hasn't had quite enough caffeine yet today--I've not yet tried the #5 perle--it's the #8 that I've used and not had great coverage with--will have to experiment with the #5 later today--at least my local JoAnn's carries a good amount of them!! in lovely shades too

Wow Mabel what a wonderful group of cards those are going to make. You are a very talented stitcher.

Beautiful work!

karen4bells wrote:it's the #8 that I've used and not had great coverage with

Yes, that would make sense -- I've got a kit which uses #8 for the Kloster blocks and satin stitch on 25ct and it really only works because it's white on white, I would never use it in colour on white. In fact the little rose square I did recently uses #5 on 28ct, and although it's a bit bulky the coverage is lovely (though I've also used#8 on 28ct, blue on white and that worked OK, bit thinner than I'd like ideally but everything covered). Good luck with your experiments!

They are looking wonderful! I love the group photo of the Madonnas.. so unique and yet with a common goal that binds them all together
Faith

The hardangers and madonnas look amazing together, well done

What an amazing array of work, well done Mabel

Very impressive, Mabel. All the recipients are going to be chuffed to bits.

I love all your work Mabel! Very beautiful

All I can say is, WOW! i love your work Mabel.

Wow. Very impressive all together.

Thanks all !

Yesterday I spent every available moment stitching, and went to bed far too late, but here's where I am with the bookmarks -- one finished (you knew that one already), one with all the words done, and one with the words nearly done:



We had Church Lunch today and I was steward so we've only just got back, but most of the rest of today will be spent getting as far as these as possible! I did, in a last-minute decision, decide to completely change the colours on one of them though...

These look lovely !

Varying the colours will do a lot to make them more personal to the recipients. Good thought, Mabel!

Good work Mabel they are really coming along well!!!!!

Very nice as always!

Wonderful work... your friends will love them
Faith

Thats quick work Mabel, nearly there.