Seeding Backgrounds (with Chicken Tracks)

An embroidery technique for backgrounds is "seeding" which is the scattering of small stitches across the background with each equal in size and spaced at an equal distance from each other.  Tracy Franklin learned this at the Royal School and is using the technique (which she explains well) on an original design.
http://tracyafranklin.blogspot.com/2015/01/crathorne-bug-seeding.html

I've seen a similar technique called chicken tracks in hand embroidery which also scatters small stitches on the background but in chicken tracks the stitches vary in length and overlap each other.  If you use 2-3 overdyed threads in green, for example, and just stitch hither and yon with them, you can create a very nice grassy background.

Interesting embroidery techniques like these are perfect for needlepoint.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Emma's Darling Bird UPDATED

Ruth Schmuff has started Kimberly's darling bird canvas as the next mystery in her ongoing mystery class series.  Naturally, Ruth being Ruth and pretty durn inventive, she is doing an interesting random patterned background based on a pretty floral stitch from Brenda Hart.  I love it!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/03/pretty-bird.html

The bird is mostly stitched, the purple scrolls are done, and Ruth has started on the border and the little flowers.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/04/such-pretty-bird.html

Now Ruth is almost finished.  Look at the little flowers (and the big ones)!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/05/fini.html

I can't wait to see more of this charmer.  Stay tuned!  I'll update this article when the next class appears.  If you want to join the fun, visit Ruth's shop website.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Classes/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Suzhou Style Embroidery

Yesterday we went to the museum with Karen--today we are visiting an art gallery in California with Laura.   The shop specializes in Suzhou style embroidery.  
http://embroideryforducks.com/2014/08/11/a-visit-to-lu-lus-part-1/

She saw a piece entirely in tiny French knots, and another with smudged edges created by layering small straight stitches done in random directions using various colors.  The effects are amazing.
http://embroideryforducks.com/2014/08/17/a-visit-to-lu-lus-part-2/

This isn't really the kind of stitching we see often, but much could be used in needlepoint.  The next time you have a background to conquer, think of Laura and her trip to this amazing silk art gallery.

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

Random is Hard

It's not easy sometimes to do random stitches on a piece. It doesn't really bother me much to attempt randomness but I know even the word "random" drives some stitchers up the wall.  We all can sympathize with Plays With Needles as she tries to use beads in a random pattern to evoke sand.
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/shop/Handpainted-Needlepoint-Designs/Sandra-Gilmore-Needlepoint/p/Sandra-Gilmore-NeedlepointBRKindness-sku-sg-kindness.htm


NZR started a discussion on the NP Group on Facebook about the difficulties of randomness.  She got all sorts of interesting ideas from other members of how to achieve random, from using a deck of cards or dice, to throwing darts,  having a glass of wine, running a random number generator, or borrowing a small child (preferably one who has imbibed sugar) to do the random for you.  Personally, I have scattered beads on a canvas, taken a photo and worked from that just like Susan talks about above, but the most interesting way to generate random that was mentioned was a comment from Gini who quotes the designer David McCaskill as follows, "David McCaskill has two "rules" to doing random, which make it controlled but still random...great for those of us who came from the counted world. 1. No two adjacent stitches can be the same length. 2. No two adjacent stitches can start or end in adjacent holes. Violating either rule draws your eye to that place immediately. Random horrifies me, but these two rules allow me to actually enjoy it!"

If you aren't familiar with David, you can visit some of his designs here.  He's currently managing Needle Nook of La Jolla and occasionally teaches there.   The second link is David demonstrating how to use laying tools for the shop website.  He's a true master of threads which will do things for David that they won't do for anyone else!
http://www.stitchamaze.com/gallery-guest/davidmccaskill.aspx

http://www.needlenook.com/videos/

Many thanks to the members of Facebook's Needlepoint Group for this interesting discussion.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Don't Freak Out When the Instructions Say "Random"

I know there is a subset of the stitching population that doesn't "do" random. (No sir, no way! Ain't a'gonna do that!)  Those folks must have panicked when they got the next lesson in Ruth Schmuff's current mystery class--the background.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/02/no-rules-no-way.html


So what do you do when you have to create a random pattern on a needlepoint canvas when even the word "random" makes you break out in a sweat?  Why you cheat, of course!

Those who have small children around--or who can borrow one from the neighbors--have it made.  Simply make a xerox of your canvas, hand the little darling a pencil, and tell them to make random marks all over the area that needs "random."  Carefully remove the pencil and paper from their little fists, hand over candy in payment, and there you go--random!  Because the marks are in pencil, you can erase any that are too close together or add one in a blank spot that seems to need something in the middle.  Using the child's work as a pattern, simply add the stitches, beads or whatever in approximately the same place your helper put them.  This also has the advantage of your being able to get several sheets done at once so you can pick the one you find most pleasing to copy.  You don't even have to worry about putting a stitch every single place your child assistant put a mark.  Missing one or two even adds to the random effect.

But not everyone has a child handy.  What then?

You can substitute small objects like beads or sequins or even grains of rice or those little pasta bits called puntaletta.  Make a copy of your canvas, then dump a few objects on the sheet.  You can shake the sheet a little (carefully!) or blow gently on the beads or sequins to move them some if you don't like the pattern.   You can also slide your tiny markers off the sheet and into a bowl, and try again until you have a pattern that you like.  Mark their position with a pencil.  If the area you have to randomize is larger, work a smaller section at a time.  If marking with the pencil is driving you nuts, take a photo with your camera and use that as your pattern for stitching random.  Just be careful not to spill the beads or rice or whatever on the floor.

Whether you use children or small objects to fake random, don't over-think the process and get yourself all bothered and worried.   Remember, even though Ruth wanted random sequins and flower stitches on her background, the canvas will also look nice with a more regular placement of these items.   If random does indeed defeat you, you can always substitute a more regular appearance and 9 times out of 10, no one will ever know you did.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com