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:
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.
Thanks, Margaret. A hint about what's next will appear tomorrow morning....
Jane, dropping hints from CH
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.
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!
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!
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
I'll get you, Pat!
Jocelyn, thanks for the tip. I'll keep it in mind.
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