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Mr Mabel gave me the RSN Online course Goldwork & Silk Shading for Christmas 2023 (yes, I know...). The videos are only accessible for a year, but I've been given an extension until this coming May so I'd better get on with it!
It doesn't look like much yet, but I've done all the stab stiching to secure the main and backing fabrics together, and am now ready to start the diaper-pattern couching on the lower wings. (Below the not-much-progress picture is an image of what it will hopefully look like in a few months' time; I think I posted this at the time but I doubt anyone remembers !)

That is beautiful, and I can't wait to see how you get on. It's no surprise you've not had a chance to start it -- you've been a tad busy!

This one has run into problems in that I'm having trouble with the dots - either I follow the dots, or I have nice snug couching, but both at the same time is impossible. I emailed the RSN Online department and eventually got some feedback from the tutor which basically amounted to "couch correctly, create the pattern, and ignore the dots"

And I've been doing some sampling for the hideously complicated Elizabethan plaited braid stitch on Heather Lewis' Elizabethan Beauty, which is worked in gold passing. Following her advice I tried it in perle cotton first, but here is my sample using a spare bit of passing:



And what the project looks like at the moment, complete but for that stem...

Your embroidery is absolutely stunning!

Finally got some of that Elizabethan plaited braid stitch on to the actual piece! Not easy to keep the curve even, and the gold has snapped in a few places, but on the whole not too bad.

It looks amazing!

Jo

How do you stitch past the leaves without overlapping?

That is going to be the subject of my next FoF....

I don't know how she did it in the stitched model, but covering the design lines which were pre-drawn on the fabric this is the space that's left and will have to do!

I may have to do a wiggle, but I'm not sure that would look good.

Presumably, the braid can only be stitched so tightly.

You could do it more tighly with a more supple thread, but not really with the passing thread. Also, it doesn't look as good all bunched up. I may just have to cover a bit of the leaves.

Pretty much what I thought. Does the designer have any ideas?

The braid is gorgeous. Did you make it or can you buy the braid ready to go?

It's actually stitched Debby, quite a complicated process although not too bad when once you get into the rhythm. You can see how it's done here on the RSN Stitchbank - there's a video at the bottom of the page.

Wow, that looks complicated but I suppose you do get into a rhythm.

Finished!!!! (More on the whole braid process on FoF)

You managed that curve really well, and it's impossible now for anyone unaware that it runs across the leaf bases because it fits the flower so well.

Sarah de Rousset-Hall's stitched model for the Drapers' Hall workshop, and what I managed to get done. Comment from Mr Mabel: "isn't it meant to be symmetrical?" (More about what I learnt in the workshop in FoF)

You should have told him that not being symmetrical proves it was hand made. I am jealous such a nice thing to make and a lovely place to make it in.

Seeing your stitching on the edges reminded me of my Applique for my quilts. Initially I think the stitches are going in nicely, then once finished I think they stand out like a sore thumb and a few days later I can't see them I like how yours get hidden under all the lovely purl outline .

The wriggle trick I have used to reverse a needle back through a hole. I like the idea of using a thread loop with the eye in the end of the loop helping to prevent frayed threads. I tend to like to work with a long thread but I notice how much the end frays while stitching, which is even worse when I do not fully pull the thread through when I am stitching double handily.

I had not seen the smaller hoops on the seat stands. Both of mine have the large 10" hoops on them. do I need one ...

Finishing that off is going to keep you busy for a while.

Jo