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Happy Easter everyone!

Soooooo I lost my stitchy bug for a while after my christmas marathon. I've had this piece in my stash for years and just not done it



I think I started it somewhere between mid January and Mid February - I didnt note the date this time to try and kick start my bug. It didnt help. SO this is stitched with 2 strands of thread and 1 of Kreinik blending filament on 14 count black aida. I tried using it all in one needle and found the filament just did not want to play nice so I switched to thread in 1 needle and blending filament in another which worked better but took forever and hurt my fingers.

At that point I decided to stake a stitchy break and started my drop spindle off and worked on my hand sewn patchwork patches. I'm now up to 40 patches complete - Half way! 10 more need sashing blocks then I can iron the patches and start assembling I think!

Anyway - Back to my dragon

Here is where we are today



I've played with needle sizes and found one I can thread everything together on. So I'm using 1 strand of thread doubled(so I can loop start) and a strand of blending filament slightly longer than my doubled thread, and this is working quite nicely. My stitchy bug has returned but I have little time to stitch now I interviewed for, and got, a 'new' job in a different department. It's only a 6 month secondment basis for now but I'm hoping they will keep me on at the end of that. Its 5 more hours a week, 1 more hour per day than my last job (but I was doing about 10 hrs or 2 days 'pool' work a week on an adhoc basis on top of my 20 hour contract). I absolutely love it but my working hours are 11 - 4, 6 days a week. Its taking some time to adjust to the new schedule!

Im hoping to update again soon with some real progress!

Congratulations Arianwen on the new job!

Your dragon is phenomenal and I'm glad you've found a good system to make your stitching easier. How are you finding stitching on black?

I went down a day last November so now I work 3 days a week doing 2-10pm shifts with overtime if there is any. You would think with having an extra day off I'd get lots of stitching in but my 2 and a half year old nephew is round at ours most days and I help my Mum watch him whilst his Mum does her work or goes out places

Glad you found a way of making the thread behave, the dragon looks wonderful!

Thank you Nicola!

it's my dream job and I've worked hard to get my skills up over the lockdown to be good enough to do the job. One of my tutors has actually asked me to help her out at an event in June to support and encourage other learners so I must be doing something right!

I know exactly what you mean! In my old position I worked 7 days a week for 2 weeks and then 3 days for 2 weeks but because it was morning shifts I had the rest of the day to get things done. Now im only doing 6 days a week, and I get 2 long weekends out of 7 but because its in the middle of the say i dont get as much done. I really don't mind though because I love the work - looking after a little one is harder too!

Stitching on the black isnt too bad. I sit right next to a window so I have plenty of light and a lamp behind me for the evenings. I dont really stitch much past about 9pm at the moment while I'm adjusting to my new routine so thats perfect for now

Thank you Mabel! The pictures dont show quite how sparkly this is and will be. I love the effect so its worth the nusiance!

I have one of these in my stash I will be following along so find out how desirable this is Pleased to see you managed to get the kit that has the blending filament I have seen a number of comments about the later kits that don't have that.

Well done with getting your new job

Jo

Looks like good progress on the dragon! Glad you find a way to stitch with the thread and the filament together rather than having to do them separately. What a fun design this looks like.

And congratulations on your new position. it does become permanent since it is something that you love. I'm sure once you get used to the routine you'll be able to figure out how to get all the things done that you want to.

Looking forward to more updates on the dragon!

Carole

Congratulations on the job, and I hope it does become the permanent position you are wishing for.

I've used a lot of thread and metallic mixes, and I generally would thread the needle with the 2 strands and then "tie" the metallic to the needle. Your idea of doubling the thread for a loop start and adding the metallic is a good one. Whatever works for this lovely piece!

well this went quicker than I thought! I finished this a couple of days ago



There are a LOT of fractionals in this. and every strand except backstitch is plied with kreinik. It made my fingers hurt and the fabric was very very stiff despite lots of handling.

It has now gone into the pile to be washed and I am onto the next project!

Very nice

You are tempting me to go and look for my one of these

Jo

He is beautiful! Definitely worth the sore fingers

Absolutely beautiful, lovely colours and the filigree is such a beautiful addition.

You stitched this beauty so quickly, well done!

I love all dragons of all kinds and this is especially beautiful. I think the black fabric really sets it off but I imagine made this even more difficult to stitch. I agree with Mabel that it is worth sore fingers for a while.

Carole

Garnet wrote: Tue Jul 05, 2022 10:36 am Absolutely beautiful, lovely colours and the filigree is such a beautiful addition.

You stitched this beauty so quickly, well done!

Totally agree!

Serinde wrote: Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:32 pm

Garnet wrote: Tue Jul 05, 2022 10:36 am Absolutely beautiful, lovely colours and the filigree is such a beautiful addition.

You stitched this beauty so quickly, well done!

Totally agree!

Yes! What they said!!

Wonderful work. So beautiful

The black absolutely did make it pop and didn't really cause me too many problems, the fabric isnt great quality and is VERY stiff which is what made it difficult to stitch.

I'm glad to have this guy done, He has had a bath and is now hanging on my washing line drying and then will go for ironing!

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments!