Ridgewood Needlepoint has just announced a thread sale. Skeins are $1.00 each. No pushing or shoving necessary, just check their website to see what threads are available.
http://www.ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/thread-240.htm
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Backgrounds in Blackwork
Labels:
background,
blackwork,
Janet Perry,
Joan Thomasson,
Stitchin Stuff
Janet Perry just posted about using blackwork patterns for backgrounds on her blog.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/blackwork-as-backgrounds
Both blackwork and darning patterns make nice backgrounds but be careful. Not every thread is suited for this, so you have to choose not only the right color but the right weight/diameter of the thread. You also have to be very careful to anchor your threads well and use long lengths to stitch with so that you don't find yourself having to end/begin a thread in the middle of a long row.
I've also found it difficult to work a blackwork pattern on top of tent stitches. Perhaps it is just me, but counting out a pattern on top of tent stitches is much harder than counting out a pattern on bare needlepoint canvas. I'm not saying don't use these patterns; I'm just saying they are not like regular background stitches.
Joan Thomasson uses a lot of blackwork-type patterns on the dresses of her angel ornaments. She recommends using less thread for the tent stitch base under the patterns and that seems to work well for me. If you are not familiar with Joan's angels, you can see a great many of them on her website.
http://www.stitchinstuff.com/ProductCategories.aspx
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/blackwork-as-backgrounds
Both blackwork and darning patterns make nice backgrounds but be careful. Not every thread is suited for this, so you have to choose not only the right color but the right weight/diameter of the thread. You also have to be very careful to anchor your threads well and use long lengths to stitch with so that you don't find yourself having to end/begin a thread in the middle of a long row.
I've also found it difficult to work a blackwork pattern on top of tent stitches. Perhaps it is just me, but counting out a pattern on top of tent stitches is much harder than counting out a pattern on bare needlepoint canvas. I'm not saying don't use these patterns; I'm just saying they are not like regular background stitches.
Joan Thomasson uses a lot of blackwork-type patterns on the dresses of her angel ornaments. She recommends using less thread for the tent stitch base under the patterns and that seems to work well for me. If you are not familiar with Joan's angels, you can see a great many of them on her website.
http://www.stitchinstuff.com/ProductCategories.aspx
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
Where to Find Unusual Needle Magnets
Labels:
magnets
I've been thinking about matching my magnets to my canvas since I found out all the Cool Kids are doing it. After all, you guys see photos of my stitching, not photos of me in my old sweat pants, older lime green Crocs and whatever turtleneck is clean. If I have the right magnet, you'll think I am Audrey Hepburn reborn!
So I'm looking for just the right Asian-themed magnet. During this search, I've come across lots of unusual magets. I've not found a geisha or Buddha or temple magnet (yet) but if you are looking, too, you might like to visit these links. Our first stop is Nordic Needle to see the animal chart magnets. Each magnet in the pair is one half of an animal. I'm not sure how strong the magnets are since they are made to hold a chart on your fabric, but wouldn't it be fun to have the option of putting your duck butt on top of the canvas when you are having a bad day? Those designer owl magnets are gorgeous, by the way. Take a browse and see all sorts of fun magnets in the six pages of magnets at this link.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/ctgy/E39-00-00.html
If you like to stitch flowers or nature canvases, Stitchery's dragonfly, flower or shell magnets are right up your alley.
http://www.stitchery.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=T51557&srccode=NXCTC6&utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparison&utm_campaign=datafeed
If you like the primitive country art of designers like Ewe and Eye, then the Mill Hill button magnets are for you. While you are here, don't miss the Stitchaholic t-shirt, the beaded needle threaders, the Puffin metallic needle minders, or the I Love Cats/Dogs ceramic needle minders.
http://downsunshinelane.com/accessories.htm
By the way, Puffin's latest needle magnets include one of a mermaid.
http://needleshow.com/cgi-bin/detailc.pl?581-puf204-04
Texas Hill Country has a whole series of magnetic needle minders that are totally unique. Check out the blue polka dot dress, the dog paw prints and bone magnets, the fat yellow bird, the ghost, the sweet little hearts, the fabulous owl, and the patriotic Texas magnet. At $5 each, you can have several unusual magnets to dress up that canvas. There's even a snail for those of us who are s-l-o-w stitchers. How fun is that?
http://www.texashillcountryceramics.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/26206/endrw/0
There's a magnet for every canvas, even if I haven't found my geisha magnet yet. If you have a favorite, why not post a link in the comments or email me at chilly hollow at hot mail dot com? I'll post it for you.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
So I'm looking for just the right Asian-themed magnet. During this search, I've come across lots of unusual magets. I've not found a geisha or Buddha or temple magnet (yet) but if you are looking, too, you might like to visit these links. Our first stop is Nordic Needle to see the animal chart magnets. Each magnet in the pair is one half of an animal. I'm not sure how strong the magnets are since they are made to hold a chart on your fabric, but wouldn't it be fun to have the option of putting your duck butt on top of the canvas when you are having a bad day? Those designer owl magnets are gorgeous, by the way. Take a browse and see all sorts of fun magnets in the six pages of magnets at this link.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/ctgy/E39-00-00.html
If you like to stitch flowers or nature canvases, Stitchery's dragonfly, flower or shell magnets are right up your alley.
http://www.stitchery.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=T51557&srccode=NXCTC6&utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparison&utm_campaign=datafeed
If you like the primitive country art of designers like Ewe and Eye, then the Mill Hill button magnets are for you. While you are here, don't miss the Stitchaholic t-shirt, the beaded needle threaders, the Puffin metallic needle minders, or the I Love Cats/Dogs ceramic needle minders.
http://downsunshinelane.com/accessories.htm
By the way, Puffin's latest needle magnets include one of a mermaid.
http://needleshow.com/cgi-bin/detailc.pl?581-puf204-04
Texas Hill Country has a whole series of magnetic needle minders that are totally unique. Check out the blue polka dot dress, the dog paw prints and bone magnets, the fat yellow bird, the ghost, the sweet little hearts, the fabulous owl, and the patriotic Texas magnet. At $5 each, you can have several unusual magnets to dress up that canvas. There's even a snail for those of us who are s-l-o-w stitchers. How fun is that?
http://www.texashillcountryceramics.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/26206/endrw/0
There's a magnet for every canvas, even if I haven't found my geisha magnet yet. If you have a favorite, why not post a link in the comments or email me at chilly hollow at hot mail dot com? I'll post it for you.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
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