TAST - Fly Stitch

I've been having a hard time figuring out how I was going to use TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday). I wanted a sampler of some sort, but not too formal and not too informal either. I didn't want to just do a length of fabric with stitches. I'd probably roll it up and put it away. I didn't want to do 52 separate projects either.

I finally decided it will be a book with separate pages. The fabric I'm using is 28 count evenweave that I bought a long time ago. I got 1 1/2 yard on sale once. This page is 8 inches square but I've stitched off a 1" boundary all around. All the pages will have this 1" boundary. I do better with boundaries! In this case, I've also divided it into 4 segments but that may not always be the case. This one is for the Fly Stitch and I already plan to follow some of Sharon's suggestions and try it several ways - different thread and with variations. There will be at least 4 samples and maybe more. She has also suggested using different fabrics. I may do a small sample on another fabric and then stitch it to the page in some cases. We'll see. I'm kind of making it up as I go. I expect the 1" outer boundary to be somehow finished later. I'm not especially concerned about it right now.

Here is my finished page. I tried to do several variations as Sharon suggested. My favorites are the leaves and the ones with beads. Adding beads is tedious but I did get faster with it as I went on. Originally I thought they were added at the same time the stitch was made, but I figured out they were added afterwards. I only have one needle small enough to allow seed beads to pass over the eye so I put a few beads on the thread before I put it back in the pincushion to mark it.

I see lots of possibilities with the reverse fly stitch (bottom left). You can barely see it here but the red thread bled a bit when I damp stretched the piece. I was surprised as it's tatting thread which is supposed to be colorfast. I noticed the black pearl cotton that I used to divide the page into quarters left a tidge of color too. I wonder if it has anything to do with the evenweave fabric? The blue pearl cotton didn't bleed.

I used pearl cotton in size 8, 2 colors of 1 strand each embroidery floss, tatting cotton in size 20, tatting cotton sizes 40 and 50, and the top leaves were done in 2 strands of the same color embroidery floss.

I used the right hand bottom quarter to stitch the elements I liked the best in a sort of decorative format, as if I were really using the stitch on a project. I may not do that all of the time but I like the idea of doing it. I hope I can keep up with this project!

Fabric Postcard!

Look what my lace friend Sally sent me! This is our February program and she's been working out the details. I was so surprised to get one!

She mailed it through the regular mail but is looking for a small quantity of the clear cellophane envelopes that are usually used. I blurred out my address.

Last night I saw the one she sent herself but didn't know I was getting one. I love the embroidery on this. The flowers on the left are a sticker that she then stitched on. I only know that because she mentioned the stickers last night and how they stayed on. We're doing this program as a fun way to showcase handmade lace. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with, including me!

I forgot to scan the big Fat Cat embroidery!

The pattern for this comes from HERE. It's from the DMC website.

I embroidered a smaller version HERE but have since removed the whiskers. The big one will be made into a pillow too. It was a good oppotunity to use a variety of threads and a time or two, I even tried a different stitch from what was indicated. Eventually, when the 2nd pillow is made, I'll show them together.

Here's another 5 bells. I'm done for this year. They are quite small. I'm wondering if I should make a larger version next year but these are good for tree or package ornaments and card inserts.

I finally finished the Hedgehog I'm going to teach. I wanted something more basic than what I did before which had a lot of added details. This group struggles with just the cord so I've got to come up with a refresher that will have an impact.

I've been getting lots of pre-class info from Karen's Class. The benefit of seeing what the current class is doing is that you have a barrel-full of inspiration in the process. I plan to work in white but I want to do something in color later. I just don't know what color so white is best for me right now. I'm amused by the "footcloth" terminology. Mine will be a sampler. Hopefully something I can hang on the wall. I've been watching her button class too. Looks like fun but I think it's included somewhat in this one anyway. I'll be doing TAST at the same time so I think I'll be submerged in stitchery for awhile!

I finished this up this morning. I got a bit discouraged by all the "gaps" around the edges. I'll be keeping this one for reference. The original is done in white but I wondered if the little bow would really show up that way. I may try another one in white next year. My stitching should be better by then!

Progress in RPL

I've just started the stocking. I was going to make the white part more solid and may go back and do it over but I want to see how it looks lacy first. The second segment will be green and the bottom red. I'm already wanting to make a second one in different colors and filling stitches. It's about 4 1/2 inches tall so it's good size.

I've actually done 3 of the 5 bells but these two are my favorites so far. I learned a new wheel. It's done on top of the netting and is done on its own, ended, and then each new one is separate. I got better at it as I went on. The ground net is not exactly the best but I'm learning I can put these wheels on different backgrounds so I may not do it exactly like this again.

I love the lacy netting on this one. I used the wheel for the bell clanger here and really like it. I may have to stiffen it to use it as an ornament, but I like this one best so far. I'll have to make a second one the same so I can give it as a gift. I'm too attached to this one to give away! These are meant for gifts!