Monday, January 18, 2010

Kimberly Laying Tool Case Tips



After I finish each project, I like to look back and think about what I learned from it.

The Kimberly Design laying tool case was a counted thread piece, and I'm not as practiced working charted items as I am with painted canvases.  Remember how I didn't stitch all the little straight metallic lines in the original arched border because I didn't notice they were anywhere except in the corners until I had started on the designs in the middle of the front and back?  That is a reminder to me to read and re-read all instructions over and over again when doing counted thread.  You might pick up all the subtleties of stitching a counted thread piece right away, but I don't.

The arched border was the hardest part of the design for me as it had to be counted exactly.  I forgot and counted holes when I started this piece and had to rip out and restitch the original outline of the design.  It is important to count threads when you are laying out a piece because if you count holes, you will short yourself by one.  Don't ask me how this happens, but I have noticed over and over again that it does.  So I'll have to remember to count threads for my next counted thread piece.  Which I will start soon....

The final hint I need to remember when I am stitching is about complicated stitches like the ones that make up the arched border on this piece.  Let me direct you to this diagram of a Jessica.
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2008/feb.php

I've discovered when stitching complicated stitches like this that often the previous stitch covers where the next stitch should start.  So I often come up at 1, go down at 2, and then don't pull my thread all the way snug against the canvas until I come up at 3.  That way I am not covering up 3's hole.

Does anyone else have great tips for counted thread stitching?  I'd love to hear them in the Comments!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

8 comments:

Margaret said...

Nicely done. A very nice present for a beginning stitcher.

It is so nice to see your finished items, but it also means we get to see what is next.

The world is waiting.

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

Thanks, Margaret. A hint about what's next will appear tomorrow morning....

Jane, dropping hints from CH

Donna said...

It's lovely. The colors are terrific. Wish I had this piece in my stash, but I'll settle for pins I've got that were designed by Kimberly.

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

Oooo! Pins? Lucky Donna!

SL, the finishing isn't hard. I could have made the Ultrasuede straighter but I didn't realize it was slightly slanted until I'd already sewn the top down. I wasn't going back--that way lies madness in finishing for me!

NCPat said...

Jane, I enjoyed watching this piece as your color choice is exquisite. Beautiful job! Now when can I expect it in the mail? running from the shoe!

Anonymous said...

Gosh this is fabulous. Stunning! And it's your colours that make it so, as much as the design itself.

When counting I always literally tell myself that where I am starting from is where my needle will be coming up (or going dowm), then I have to go over 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc threads. Thta way I always end up counting threads and not holes.
Jocelyn

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

I'll get you, Pat!

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

Jocelyn, thanks for the tip. I'll keep it in mind.