My 17th c. English Band Sampler (WIP)

This is the Scattered Motifs section from my WIP:I took an ICC course, 17th c English Band Sampler, thru EGA to learn specialty stitches and the various techniques used during that time.
I am sharing this section as it has several motifs that are filled with queen stitches(As always, click to enlarge)The flower petals (picture above) have tons of queen stitches, upright & sideways, over 4 threads or more. Using several shades of silk, one strand, the flowers have a beautiful textureAnd, I am still not finished with the motifs!
Pictured above, the queen stitches are the same size; however, with the different colors of silk, create a wonderful repeating pattern in the large motif -- and awesome texture in the thistle & lady bug.
The largest motif in this photo (green,blue,red,gold) is solidly filled in with queen stitchesIf you get the chance, try grouping the queen stitches together to fill in an area. The results are beautiful - IMOI was so attracted to this course and enjoyed learning how to create all the bands & motifs. The course material has patterns taken from real samplers and it was delightful to make stitch samples.And, one of these years, when I feel more ambitious, I just might get around to finishing this monster sampler.It has sections of White Work; Alphabets; Double Running Patterns; Scattered Motifs; Variations of cross stitch; and finally (still working on this part) - embellishments & finishing

EGA / GCC Yahoo Group

Do these look familiar to you?
These are pins from EGA for participation in correspondence courses. I've taken a couple ICCs & a couple GCCs. Some I completed, some ... well, lets just say, I learned a lot : ) Today, I found out there is a new yahoo group for EGA members - created esp for GCCs. Check it out at this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EGA_GCC/

or LINK HERE.


This photograph was taken a couple years ago. These are items from a beading GCC [group corresp course]. I learned the peyote stitch - flat & circular. Made an amulet, braclet, scissor fob, scarf ring, and small beads out of delicas + seed beads.

2007 Porter Co Fair -- end of report : )

Sampler TabletopperDesigned by Claudia Dutcher, Dutch Treat Designs c.1998Comments by Judge: Back is as pretty as front! Stitches even. Nice color choice. Beautiful.

Stitched on 18ct. Anne Cloth [9-square tabletopper] - apx 22x22". Watercolour Mocha Rose; Perle Coton #5 as suggested. Nun Edge with Anchor pc #12 colour 926.

My Original DesignPulled Thread PillowComments by Judge: Beautiful workmanship. Nice use of variety of stitches. Just beautiful.

Stitch size 7.5" x 7.5". I used DMC ecru cordonnet (30)AND Anchor perle coton #8 colour 926 on 19-count Antique White, cork linen. Stitches used: Reeded Stitch; Open Trellis; Rosette Stitch; Finnish Stitch; Three-sided Stitch; Honeycomb Stitch; Mixed Faggot Variation Stitch.

N.Hinde 1778; A Miniature Samplerc.1991 The Scarlet Letter; Historic Needlework ReproductionComments by Judge: Really cute. Excellent job - Where is the "J"?

I used Red Silk, AVAS colour 945 - on 32 count Antique Ivory Linen. Stitched over one thread. 88w x 56h Per instructions "feel free to personalize your sampler with your own name or initials & the date..." I continue to ponder using my name or the sampler-makers names when stitching a repro piece.

Tin Pin Heartc.2001, Ruth Sparrow, Twisted ThreadsComments by Judge: Beautiful & unbelievable tiny stitches. Do you have x-ray vision? Love it.

Stitched over one linen thread with DMC 221 - red & Anchor 152 - navy blue on 32-ct Platinum Belfast. 46w x 46h. Mounted into TF04 Tin Pin Square.

--------------------------

OK, my stitching pals ... now it is your turn. How did you do at the fairs this Summer? Congrats to Deb L [w/o blog] for being awarded the Champion Rosette at the Porter Co Fair. Well Deserved. Beautiful L&L piece. Congrats to Sue D and Elaine H, too, for all their ribbon-wearing entries!!! Great job : )

Tonight ... Open House for the Lake County Fair. I have different projects entered. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! In the past, I've been awarded a couple sweepstakes rosettes on my beaded pins; however, I'd flip for a sweepstakes rosette on any STITCHED piece. That prize continues to pass over my entries year after year : )

They land on Sue D & Deb L's entries!!! They are tops at what they do best : )

queen stitch

Sue, stitcherw said she was "looking forward to seeing your queen stitches. Those are so lovely looking, however, they are the one stitch (in addition to french knots) that I can never seem to get to look right."

Sue, I've got a photo to share with you of some stitch samples I made up a couple years ago. I was practicing the queen stitches & was using strawberry motifs I found in sampler books. IMO - using ONE strand of silk or perle cotton creates a more even stitch than cotton floss. I like using silk. The coverage is very good!



There may be other bloggers with more tips. I practice them before adding them to a sampler.

BEFORE I FORGET TO ASK .... Does anybody have a good recipe for corn bread??? I am a terrible baker & would like to give up using mixes all the time. I tried a recipe this morning & ended up with a brick. See link here. My son, Nick & daughter, Tori seem to get the knack of baking. Why can't I??

Original Design

This is a pulled thread pillow I designed & stitched. I used 19 count cork linen & stitched with crochet cotton (DMC 30-cordonnet) and DMC perle cotton. The finished size is about 11 1/4" x 11 1/4".

I took an EGA Course on pulled thread. Learned many stitches! At last, I have finished my original design into a pillow.

Specialty Stitches

#30: What is the most challenging specialty stitch you have ever stitched?

Ascending & Descending Montenegrin: Had no problem following a diagram with numbers; however, when I used a pattern (honeysuckle graph) -- and had to figure out the stitching on my own -- it took quite a while. I was thrilled to finish this needlework band. (click on photo to enlarge). This sampler is a WIP & is loaded with specialty / challenging stitches. Update: this is part of a band sampler from an EGA course. EGA in sidebar -- course English Band Sampler. I have a lot of areas to embellish before posting a photo.

Bullion Rose is a close runner up because I had a difficult time winding the fiber around the needle in a consistent direction. Once I got the hang of it -- the bullions improved. I prefer using a straw needle (applique needle) + pc#8 for bullions (ie. DMC 107) . The bullion roses were done on a stretchy black fabric -- then made into covered buttons. I have not sewn the buttons on anything yet. can click the photo to enlarge.


#29: Do you stitch for events like weddings, engagements, or other things that might not last? If you have been unlucky and the two people broke up, what happened to your stitched gift?

I stitched a sachet bag for my daughter when she was 16 & had her first steady boyfriend. Knowing this was a first crush .... I put their first names on one side of the sachet bag inside a heart & the reverse side had a floral design. It was on my daughter's shelf with the floral design showing until she packed for college At that time, it still had the flower petals, from her first Homecoming dance tucked inside.

#28: Which way do you stitch (/// and then \\\, or \\\ and then ///) ? Can you (or if you haven't done it before, do you think you could) change the way that you stitch temporarily if it is asked of you?

I learned how to stitch by ///, then \\\. That was how I was shown, initially, and kept stitching that way. If I was asked to stitch a certain way, I could do that. In the round robin I am currently in, 5 stitch one way and 2 stitch the other way. I didn't notice until I read this question!! These are my friends & however my project is stitched is ok with me.

#27: What do you use to hold your fabric while you stitch? A hoop, a q-snap, a scroll frame, something else, or do you stitch in hand? Have you always used just the one thing or have you tried one or more of the others? Which do you like best? Why?

I have tried all of the above. I prefer a scroll bar/frame for samplers -- qsnap for smaller things like sewing smalls -- in hand for over one stitching. (Why? For in-hand small stuff I need a magnifier & it is easier for me to do in hand.)

Why? I prefer using my lap frame which supports either scroll bars / q snaps / or stretcher bars & one of my magnifier clips on (if needed). I put the frame on my desk and use hand weights (like the small ones from the gym) to keep the frame from falling over! This way I can pull the project close to me and use TWO hands for stitching. I use K's (side bar for link)