Making an ornament out of Dr. Who's Tardis police box was a logical choice for me. It is all straight angles. That will translate into NP nicely. An image search was my next step. If you do a Google or Bing search on Tardis, then click on "images" to limit the search results, you will see photos of the Tardis, mostly ones like this which shows two sides of the exterior.
http://www.coated.com/dr-who-tardis-ice-bucket/
Occasionally you'll see images like this--a head on view of the front only. When it comes to translating things like police boxes or houses to NP, it is easier to do a front view instead of a three-quarters angle.
http://www.mickgray.co.uk/Tardis.jpg
But since I Ordinarily my next step would be to trace around the outside of the shape onto my canvas, then fold the paper model along angles like the center line between the two front doors and trace these other lines.
However, because I
The long lines are in #8 perle cotton from DMC. It didn't matter what color I used for the outlining as long as it would stand out against the background, but I choose blue because the Tardis is blue and I had this in my stash.
You will see in my photo that I am doing one of the doors separately. I thought it would be nice for the right side door of the Tardis to open. I am not sure I can make this work, but I am going to try. If I can't get it working, I can always stitch a door panel on the main piece.
You also see that I have started stitching the base of the Tardis. I am using my thread lines as padding for the base. I plan to remove some of the lines (like the door panel window lines) once I stitch something inside them but others will raise the corner of the Tardis, or pad the roof line in the right place.
Last night I pulled out the royal blue thread I was using in the photo above and substituted DMC cotton floss in medium blue 798. It more closely matches the blue of the real Tardis from the tv program. I bought three skeins of this yesterday and also picked up a skein of DMC satin floss in color 30798 which matches the regular 798 blue shade. I've not used stain floss before but since Judy Harper likes how it adds highlights to her ornaments, I thought I'd use it for details like the windows on this fake Tardis.
I've deducted four points from my Stash Credits because of this purchase. I am somewhat astonished as to how many threads I've used from my stash, actually, especially considering I have worked on only five projects since I started counting my thread usage in August: Leigh's South Seas Dynasty Fiji ornament, Brenda Stofft's Rabbit Geisha, the Leigh O'jishi Japanese Noh Theatre Mask, the SharonG camouflage bra and tap pants set, and Tony Minieri's Stars of the New Millennium. Of course Stars isn't done but since I know what threads I will use there, I've counted them already.
A few times I was able to add 5 points because I used up all the thread from a skein, and occasionally I've used the same black silk or gold Kreinik here and there on many pieces, but in general I have used many, many types and colors of threads. I'm a threadaholic, after all! This isn't typical, though, and one can certainly be a great stitcher using a limited palette of threads. I just love thread and love showing the various types to you. Each is wonderful in just the right place, after all!
Wonder if I'll hit 200 stash credits before the summer?
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow
11 comments:
Jane,
I bet we will all learn something by watching you work this project and I think that you are really "insane", no no, I mean brave, courageous, wonderful to do this project (big grin) and now where can I possibly hide so that you can't see me all the way from Chilly Hollow.
I may need to use my invisible protective cap for this.
Pierrette =^..^=
Wonderful! Great details on what you have done so far. You can attach the door just like I am doing on the leaves and petals on the Hummingbird. Decide how many places you want the door attached and insert 28 gauge wire and Buttonhole over the top of it and all the edges of the door. If you want to try this, I will send the wire and give more info!
Great idea, Pat. I have the right sized beading wire, too. I've watched you do this and have several stumpwork books so I ought to be able to do this on NP canvas. I hope! Any thoughts about how it might work on canvas?
There is no place you can hide that I can't find you, Pierrette! LOL
Wish me luck.
Fearless indeed. I watch in amazement as you move from needlepoint right into heavy construction. I do love this blog.
It will work the same on canvas. I think I would probably use more than one set of wire attachment. If the overall length of the door is 4" for e.g., I would of course have one at the top and bottom and then one at 2" and one at 3". I would start with 2 pieces of 28 gauge wire as your thread should cover both--might have to try it and see- and leave about one 1/2 inches at top, button hole over it for an inch, put in a 1 1/2" bend out to the right of the canvas and repeat to the bottom. Then cut the bends, or not, don't have to, and then insert all of them through the canvas to the back and secure. It should then be positionable on the booth.
Hi Jane,
You are so talented! I can't wait to see what you do stitchwise. On attaching the door--I have the Scandia Santa that Tony Minieri did the stitch guide for and it tells how to attach the flap on a bag Santa is holding. You stitch the door first then ravel the canvas back to the stitching and put those canvas threads through the canvas and tie them in pairs in the back. I think it would be easier to do for your door rather than the bag on my Santa. Your door has straight edges and the bag certainly doesn't. You could either line the back of the door or do very neat basketweave on front--the back would be a nice woven look. Then do an overcast around the edges. Is any of this clear as mud? ;-) There are so many miniatures available that I am sure you could find a door knob (handle?) that would be perfect. You are going to have SOOO much fun!
Take care,
Carole in Louisiana
Thanks for the support and ideas, Carole. I think I will line the back but I'm not sure yet. The front will have a mix of stitches so I can't count on having a neat backside. I'm trying butonhole over wire as Pat suggested. So far, so good!
Wish me luck.
Margaret, it is easy to be fearless in NP. If one thing doesn't work, rip out and try another. No worries, just jump right in!
Hi Jane,
Me again. I meant just the door done in neat basketweave not the entire Tardis. That way it would look good when open and there would not be a lot of bulk. Sorry I wsn't clear on it. Good luck and we'll all be watching your adventure! Such fun!
Carole in Louisiana
Hey, Carole. I understood you meant the door only in tent stitches but I have Plans for the door panels and glass that I want fancier than that. It means I have to line the door, however. Oh, well, can't have everything! Thanks for the help. I'll keep this in mind for the next time I have a dimensional piece to stitch as it is a smart idea.
Post a Comment