Visiting EGA's Seminar Exhibit

Somehow I missed the fact that Fiber Talk did videos of the needlework exhibited at EGA's 2021 Seminar.  I didn't realize it until Natalia Frank mentioned them on her blog.

https://nataliafrankneedlework.com/2021/10/08/ega-national-seminar-2021-magnificent-stitch/

Pour yourself a beverage and enjoy all the magnificent work in these nine films!  If you don't have a lot of time, watch the top video which is a longer summary of the others.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2021/09/page/3/

Many thanks to Gary and Beth for the filming and to Natalia to drawing my attention to them.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 10, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Silk Gauze Class.

Brenda is taking a class on silk gauze from Natalia Frank.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2022/02/art-of-petit-point-on-silk-gauze-21022.html

Silk gauze is one of my very favorite things to stitch on and Natalia is a fantastic designer of rug charts.  You can explore her work here and sign up for a class, too.  But explore her home page and take a look at her magnificent Tree of Life design before you start exploring.

https://nataliafrankneedlework.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 10, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Art of Petit Point (Learning to Stitch on Silk Gauze)

Does the idea of stitching on silk gauze intrigue you?  Then you may be interested in Natalia Frank's new cyberclass "The Art of Petite Point."  You can see more about the class here.

https://artofpetitpoint.thinkific.com/collections

You can browse Natalia's charts on her regular website.  She also has free charts to use as you explore this tiny ground material.  

https://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com

Basically you do tent stitches with one ply of silk or cotton floss on a ground fabric that ranges from 18 to 32 to 40 to 48 count (and much smaller) using a tiny needle, usually a beading needle.  The silk gauze doesn't have to have the background stitched as the gauze will disappear if it is mounted over a shiny fabric or a mirror.  That means you have to be careful how you end threads as the tails will wiggle out and show if you aren't.  You can of course completely cover the background if you are doing a miniature rug, for example.  But having a butterfly seeming to float in air is a wonderful thing to see.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com 

© Copyright June 24, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved

The Meaning of Colors in Persian Rugs

Natalia Frank turned up this interesting article that lists typical colors in Persian rugs and what they mean.
https://www.dorisleslieblau.com/articles/what-is-the-meaning-of-colors-in-persian-rugs?fbclid=IwAR1uGLJ5ZDLosL0ehzDnYn8X7Z7zgsQR2zJDc82g0b03KpWb2LBjCUc8bLk

Those who like to work charted rug designs might use this to help pick colors.  It's also interesting to read with the colors of oriental rug patterns you prefer in mind.  Check out Natalia's charts for miniature rugs or look at Canvasworks' huge range of painted canvases.
https://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com

http://www.canvasworksneedlepoint.com/red-and-blue-pillows-.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 4, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Free Silk Gauze Rug Chart

Natalia Frank of Natalia's Fine Needlework has released a new free rug chart for 2018.  
http://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com/free-patterns

Natalia describes the new rug this way, "Each year I offer a new free pattern as my "thank you" to all friends, customers, all stitchers who was by my side through the life time and supported my business. You inspire me to work harder. Thank you for keeping my motivation up. This year I would like to offer a pattern for Konya carpet that has been charted based on the original 18th century carpet that is located in The Mevlâna Museum in Konya, Turkey, the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. The rug, based on the motifs, symbolizes fertility and happiness. The pattern is charted for use of DMC floss, but my advice would be to use over dyed thread to give that antique and worn look to it."

Natalia does this every year as a thank you to her customers.  This is designed for 48 count silk gauze but you can adjust the ground fabric and threads to suit yourself.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 12, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Colorful Amalgam Contest for 2018-2019

Natalia Frank just posted this on Facebook about a contest she is running over the next year:

I would like to invite anyone who is interested to participate in the stitching contest Colorful Amalgam 2018-2019.  The contest starts on February, 1st, 2018 and will end on February, 28th, 2019. March of 2019 will be given to finish the carpet (blocking, fringing, or framing, etc…).

At the beginning of each month, starting this February, I'll post a part of the pattern of the carpet that is supposed to be stitched during a following month. Each part will be charted with black symbols which are supposed to be "colored" by you. There will be 12 parts with NON-repeatable motifs that will form a gorgeous carpet at the end that YOU painted!

There are no rules or restrictions towards this creative concept, but two.
1. The carpet should be stitched on silk gauze. If stitched on 40 count the finished size of the rug will be approx. 6" x 8".
2. You need to sign up with a Facebook open to public group Colorful Amalgam and post the pictures of stitching progress each month. If you don't have a Facebook account, forward your images to me and I'll gladly post them on the group's page.

A winner, that will be chosen by public vote in June 2019, will receive a main prize of $200.
You can download Section 1 February 2018 from my website
http://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com/contest

Here is a link to Facebook group Colorful Amalgam
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1883206485032036/

I started this rug on 48 count.
Let's have fun! It will be so interesting to see rugs with the same design looking different. 

I hope that folks try this.  It's a fun way to celebrate counted work on silk gauze.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 22, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Konya Prayer Rug Free Chart

Fans of silk gauze miniature rugs will be thrilled with Natalia Frank's free rug chart for 40 count silk gauze.
http://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com/free-patterns

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 3, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tree of Life Carpet One UPDATED

Natalia Frank of Natalia's Fine Needlework designed and stitched an amazing rug last spring in a short period of time give that it is on 56 count silk gauze. She entered it in a prestigious dollhouse exhibit in London and won first prize.  When you see it you will see why.
http://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com/apps/webstore/products/category/1511398

http://www.dollshousefestival.com/index.php?page=PIMA-winners-16S~mainvideo~floorplans~cityoflondon~KDF%20Membership%202016~win-vouchers~club-tickets~howtoexhibit

Natalia stitched this using 89 shades of Gloriana's Tudor Silk.  It is the first in a series of three Tree of Life designs she has planned.  I cannot wait to see what she does next.

UPDATE:  Mary Corbet loves this design and bought one of the kits to stitch it.  Mary's first message in a series of them as she works this piece talks about the kit itself and how it is organized.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2017/01/56-count-miniature-tree-of-life.html

Then Mary explains how she mounts silk gauze for stitching.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2017/01/56-count-setting-up-silk-gauze-for-embroidery.html

Mary organizes her threads and explains why she started stitching where she did and what she plans to stitch next.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2017/02/56-count-strategies-for-stitching.html

Mary has a great idea to make it easy to see the silk gauze mesh.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2017/03/56-count-the-peacock-colors-craft-foam.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 14, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Determining the Selvage Edge

Natalia tells us how to determine the selvage edge on a piece of silk gauze that doesn't have the selvage still attached.
http://scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com/2014/11/silk-gauze-and-selvage.html

Here is why it matters and how to determine selvage on white mono needlepoint canvas.
http://www.needlepoint.org/FAQ/stitching.php#Q20

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com © Copyright November 18, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hanging the Stocking on the Tree--Next to a Magnifier

Natalia of Natalia's Fine Needlework showed off a pair of her Christmas stockings on her blog this morning...,
http://scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-is-coming-to-town.html

...which reminded me that Melissa Boling of Miniature Home posed a great little lion and lamb stocking at the Needlepoint Nation group on Facebook. 
https://www.facebook.com/MiniatureHomeDollhousePetitpoint/photos/a.149582905110957.35149.149573375111910/729962340406341/?type=1&theater

These are all original designs, by the way, and done on silk gauze.  I don't know what count Natalia used but Melissa's little angel and animals stocking is on 48 count.

Melissa's website has this design and other wonderful tiny stocking charts for sale.  I particularly like her Scotties in the snow.  Click on the little miniature photo to see these stitched.  
http://www.miniaturehome.com/Holidays.html

Natalia's stockings are available as kits or can be custom stitched for you.  I particularly like her snowflakes on red stocking but there are a lot of lovely designs available.
http://scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com/p/dollhouse-miniature-christmas-stockings.html

Janet Granger sells Christmas stocking kits that include 40 count silk gauze as well.  On this count, one ply of almost any brand of cotton or silk floss works well.   These pieces are done in tent stitches and are a lot quicker to stitch than a regular 18 or 13-14 count stocking.  Her Ho Ho Ho Santa stocking is great but I also love her Wise Men stocking as I adore Nativity sets.
http://www.janetgranger.co.uk/acatalog/Christmas_Stocking_kits.html

Have a teeny tiny Happy Christmas!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 26, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Backside of Miniature Rugs

Natalia posted an interesting article about why she uses tent stitches (mostly continental, but never basketweave) when she stitches a miniature rug. She feels the tent stitch makes for a neater background when working on such a small scale.
http://scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com/2014/09/needletherapy-tutorial-how-to-make-neat.html

Her current rug commission (below) is on 40 count silk gauze and includes a very intricate pattern, probably not suitable for basketweave anyway.  I always expected some differences between stitching on needlepoint canvas, congress cloth and silk gauze but I never expected that using tent stitches would neaten up the background!  Still, Natalie points out this works for her and won't necessarily work for other stitchers.
http://scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com/2014/08/french-savonnerie-rug-in-112th-scale.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 1, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.