I was up after midnight finishing this leaf! I was done shortly after midnight but then it took me nearly an hour to get it off the pattern. More about that later. I like this so much more than I expected. I tried photographing it in my palm as my scanner does not show the colors right.

This was to be another practice piece. I figured out quickly that I had couched it down too tightly. I didn't know that was even possible but by having the couching stitches so close and so tight, it was hard to manipulate the needle in the outline. My original intention was to use the same color thread and I used a dark green for my outline. THEN, I decided to use the pastel size 80 tatting thread for the filling stitches instead of green. This makes it harder to completely cover the outline threads and you can especially see it in the stem end. The outline threads are in size 40 and the covering thread is in size 70, also not a good match for covering.

I said last time that using a variegated thread was not a good idea and even as I was stitching this, I wondered what was I thinking? In the end though, I really like it. Sometimes the lavender dominated, sometimes the green and sometimes the cream color. I used a very dense stitch where the openings are. The vintage instructions I'm using refer to 737th stitch, etc. - all are numbered so I haven't matched up the known names with them yet. I did use a solid color for the cordonnette.

Even before I couched down my second leaf, I noticed the pattern was not in the best of shape. This is how it looks now, completely torn up. I couldn't figure it out since I use the same process for my RPL lace and those patterns are still intact, even after using 3 or 4 times.

But then I realized there are a few differences. In many of my RPL patterns, I transfer the pattern directly on the fabric and then cover it with clear adhesive paper. I have some that have a paper base though. The other thing is that I'm not really manipulating the "outline" very much in RPL. You attach your fillings at the side loops and hide your ends in the cord, but other than that, you aren't continually wrapping them in thread. The "outline" is already finished.

Another view of my demolished pattern! I will rip out the zigzaging that holds the plastic on and take off the plastic. This is really a fairly large base for this leaf so I might put a different pattern on there instead and make a new base for the leaf. I suppose I should do something besides the leaf at this point. I made a square sampler "coaster" pattern that I might try. Or the petals that I was originally going to do. Or the leaf shaped sampler strip.

I'm doing a beginning bobbin lace class in June though so I need to redo my pillow and get my bobbins wound and practice the basics a bit. I also want to get a RPL piece done for an exhibit for my lace guild. That means I'll probably have to set this aside for the most part. Other eyecandy to come!

I started this late last night after I returned from my grandkids' Spring Show in choir - a three hour program! It was quite good with the last half being far better than the first half. I probably should not have started so late but I was wide awake and had been thinking about it all day.

It's not quite what I had visualized but I'm learning things. To get a lacier effect, I should probably use a finer thread but I'm going to continue with this size which is size 40 or around there, I think. I used the 4 stitch Brussels to start off with and kept it quite close because I wanted it dense. It gives it a texture because the scallops are so close it nearly looks ridged. For the next part, I used a corded single Brussels and kept it quite close too. I think the next segment will also be a single corded Brussels but spaced further apart. I'll do the same with the tip but in a lighter color.

For the top side, the colors will be lighter and the stitches/spacing even looser, so the lacy effect will hopefully show up more there. I suspect I'll have to do more than one of these to feel like I've got the hang of it. It's not just about stitches. It's about density and color choice and pattern choice creating an overall work of art. I already don't like the way these two shades look but in the end, we'll see. If I use a solid color, I need to vary the appearance of the stitch more to show more contrast between the segments.

I still need to find one of my smaller tapestry needles. I put them all in one place and now I can't remember where that one place is. I think I moved most of my embroidery stuff to one box so I'll check there - once I remember where I put it!

Needlelace - I've always wanted to do it but found the various instructions I came across confusing. They were almost always from the early to mid-1900's and the photos were black and white or drawings. There were a few online sites with tutorials but to have an ongoing conversation with anyone knowledgeble seemed out of reach.

Recently a new group was started on the Ning community and I joined without hesitation. I didn't really have time to do much more than read the discussions at first but I did decide which pattern I wanted to start with.

And then changed my mind.

After reading all the discussion, I decided I should start with a bookmark sampler. I haven't done much stitching along this line for quite awhile and needed a refresher. As it turns out, all the stuff before you even get to the stitching is important.

The pattern is by Lorelei Terry Halley. There were several to pick from, some by members and some from expired copyright publications. This one seemed good to practice on. I actually ended up couching the trace or outline threads a second time. The first time, I was just going around the outside and thought I would add in the bars later, but then I realized that would add bulk so I moved a single thread inside for the cross bars, which doubles it coming back so I had the 2 threads couched in one move, and then when I came down the other long side, I just pulled the thread through the end of the short bar. Anyway, I hope I did or it will come apart!

Finally I had some time to do some stitching. All of the filling stitches are attached to the outer "trace" threads. The segment at the top is called a "detached buttonhole with straight return, open form". BTW, the buttonhole stitch is the basis of most filling stitches.

The second segment is the Single Brussels stitch, which is basically just a loose buttonhole stitch. As you can see, my tension and spacing is horrid!

Here's another try at the Single Brussels stitch in the 3rd segment. Better...but still crying out for practice! My needle finger is getting tender so I'll have to wait to do anymore.

This was my first choice for a pattern but since I have a use for this in mind, it seemed prudent to practice on something else. I'm anxious to get to the leaf, but I'll be glad I waited.