The Lee Kimono - Part Three (Threads)

Lee Small Kimono

Erica took a larger photo of the Lee Kimono we are discussing As you can see, the margins of the blue "clouds" are actually dark navy and the centers of the flowers are deep red, not black.  A good photo really helps see the details!

By the way, feel free to jump in with thoughts.  Several folks have done so already and I welcome more input.  There is more than one way to stitch any painted canvas, after all.  I'm sure all my victims, ah, volunteers would appreciate more ideas.

I asked Erica to rummage around in her stash, looking for threads that might work for this tiny Lee kimono.  Here is what she came up with along with my reactions.

Blues and Blacks

Here's some of the blue options.  I had to take the photo under one of my OTT-lights as there's not a bit of sun in sight today.  Cold and rainy all around.

Starting at the top left corner and moving clockwise around the canvas, the fibres are as follows:

1.  Silk 'N Colors Midnight Cobalt (it's the twisted skein)

2.  Vikki Clayton Silk - Velvet Midnight

3.  Vikki Clayton Silk - unnamed skein (it's overdyed and goes from a light blue to a bluey-purple)

4.  Crescent Colours Cotton Floss - Blue Beatrice

5.  Dinky-Dyes Cotton - #85 Fantasy Blues

6.  Vikki Clayton Silk - random blue fibre

7.  Vikki Clayton Silk - random black fibre

8.  Vikki Clayton Silk - random blue/black fibre

9.  Kreinik Silk Mori - black

10. DMC 310 - #12 perle cotton - I'm pretty sure I have it in an #8 and #5 as well

11.  Vikki Clayton Silk - random light blue fibre

I noticed that all of the blues are flosses.  My first question is whether you have a medium blue perle (maybe around the size of #5?) in your stash.  Or something along the lines of a 1/16 braid or #8 braid in blue Kreinik?  If not, don't worry.  My thought for this area was to lay long lines of light medium blue (like the Crescent Colors' Blue Beatrice) across the "clouds" horizontally, and couch each one down with white, medium blue or navy in metallics.  Another way of handling this would be to use a light medium blue metallic for the horizontal lines and use some of these pretty flosses to couch each line.  You need the base horizontal thread to contrast with the threads that couch it, but it doesn't really matter a lot whether the base thread or the couching colors are metallics.

I'm thinking a sort of Burden Stitch here.  You'll have to make the couching threads irregular as they are not spaced evenly and allow the base thread to show for the medium blue areas.  This is what Burden Stitches are like, except for your kimono you will probably lay the base thread between every pair of horizontal NP canvas threads, not every other pair like in the diagrams.  Some experimentation will be needed to see just how this looks, though.  I don't have the canvas here to experiment on.  Try it and see if this gives you a look you like on some scrap canvas first.
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2004/jan.php

Doing this means the dark blue edging of the "clouds" has to be stitched first and you will need both a dark navy thread and stitches that are slightly raised.  I would suggest cross stitches with at least six plies of your floss used.  You can also make the cloud edges black and use your black perle cotton.  I noticed in the Gold Metallic photograph that you have some white Treasure Braid.  It might do very well for the white couched areas in the clouds.  Using it means you'll probably want the couching threads to all be metallic but you can mix these if you don't want to go shopping for various shades of blue metallics to use.

Gold Metallics

So, from the top left corner and going around clockwise we have these gold threads:

1. Kreinik #7 Japan Gold (in the baggie)

2. Kreinik Cord #002C

3. Kreinik #12 Braid #002

4. Kreinik Cord #205C  (this one has some black in it)

5. Kreinik #4 Braid #002HL

6. Kreinik #8 Braid - colour unknown but has some pink in it

7. & 8.  Kreinik Braids #4 & #8 - 202HL

9.  Frosty Rays #y060

10. Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid #PB01

The gold touches you add to this canvas are probably the last threads you should choose. You are looking for something that will make pretty cross stitches on the hem and that will also look good laid and couched at the neckline.  If you want to go really fancy, use two shades of gold and make every other cross stitch at the hem in one color, then fill in with the other.  You can then lay one thread as the collar base and couch with the other, but you'll want a thinner couching thread than the thread base so that some of the long horizontal gold shows to contrast with the gold in the couching thread.  My advise is to pick your golds last, make sure if you use two shades that they are different but complement each other, and that the gold or golds chosen look nice with the other threads.  As you said, some golds have black or pink or other colors in them that will become more prominent if they are used with solid blacks or pinks or whatever.  By the way, you can make the flower centers gold instead of the deep garnet they are painted if you want to add more touches of gold to the design.

Pinks

I don't have a ton of pinks in my stash and many of them have a high level of variegation to them that aren't going to work for my water.

1.  Vikki Clayton Silk - unnamed skein

2.  Gentle Arts Sampler Threads - Tea Rose (I'm thinking to use this for the flower petal tips)

3.  Weeks Dye Works - Begonia

4.  Vikki Clayton Silk - random pink fibre

5.  Vikki Clayton Silk - random pink fibre #2

Working from photographs is always chancy but to me the best match for the pink "water" is your Weeks Dye Works Begonia. The Tea Rose that matches the color of the flower petal tips is also from Weeks Dye Works, which to me is a plus since you are probably going to use long and short stitches to make your petals. Long and short stitches done in two-three colors with threads that are the same size and weight always look better. I'm assuming you have some white floss to do the centers of the flowers? If so, make a xerox copy of the canvas, then stitch right over the dots in the centers with your long and short stitches, then using the copy for reference, place the black and green areas with your beads or French knots or whatever right on top of the long and short stitches. It is easier not to have to compensate long and short.  You'll get a smoother effect that is more like a real petal.

Erica, I've given you a lot to think about.  Once you'll mulled this over, get back to me with your reactions and we'll deal with any problems and questions then.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

ANG's Stitch of the Month Project for 2011

The ANG Internet Committee Chairman just revealed a hint of the 2011 Stitch of the Month project on the ANG email list.  It's going to be a piece by Ro Pace called The Flowers of Italy and it will include several Jean Hilton-type stitches.

Here's Ro's website so you can see some of her charts and teaching pieces.  Sadly, not all of them are visible here, including some of my favorites.  The Flowers of Italy is not here--it's a secret.
http://www.designsbyro.com/needlepoint_designs_by_ro/Welcome_2.html

Sometime in January, ANG will start monthly reveals of the design here.

http://www.needlepoint.org/Stitch.php

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

News, Good and Bad

Unfortunately, my spies tell me that the City Stitcher in Chicago is closing on December 23 after 28 years.  If you are in the area, please visit and do your goodbyes before the end of this month.   Thanks for the tip. I'm sure a lot of folks want to visit to tell the shop staff how much they appreciate their hard work.

http://www.citystitcher-needlepoint.com/

Amy Bunger's e-newsletter for December is out.  As usual, there are lots of information, including how to make linen suitable for a mummy!  Shoppers should note the shop will be closed to walk-in traffic 12/26-12/31 but all in-stock items will be on sale at 25% off.  You need to phone in your order ahead of time and items will be pulled on a first-come, first-served basis during the sale days.  UPDATE:  Robin describes the holiday/sale hours thusly: "

Amy's shop will be closed Dec 24-26 and closed Dec 31-Jan 02. The Store is open to walk-in traffic on Monday, Dec 27 through Thursday Dec 30. Her 25% OFF End of the Year sale is December 26-31. Only through the magic of the internet can one still shop when the lights are off."

http://www.amybunger.com/f/Amy_s_e-newsletter_December_2010.pdf

Her website has also been updated with a photo of Tony Minieri's "Les Rubans Anciennes" --the latest in his series of fabric inspired designs which will be taught at Amy's shop next April.

http://www.amybunger.com/tony_minieri_classes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Books, Flies, Space and More

This is one of those summary postings about things around the World Wide Web that has  a little of everything in it.  First of all, I have two book reviews for you.  Robin looks at a book that features felting and shows off some felt applique she's done on various needlepoint canvases.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2010/11/felting-childhood-memories.html

Kathy reviews an inspirational book about blackwork from a graduate of the Royal School of Needlework.  It appears to be from their Essential Guide series.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2010/11/30/rsn-essential-stitch-guide-blackwork/

Jan just finished a darling Pat Mazu stocking with help from Judy Harper's e-books on beading.  There's a link to Judy's website if you are interested in picking up the books on sale.
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/a-pat-mazu-stocking/

Mary's got information on how we can vote to send hand embroidery to the moon.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2010/11/needlework-to-space.html

In other contest news, Needlepoint.com is running a holiday needlework photo contest.  Pull out those decorations and take pictures!
http://www.needlepoint.com/blog/?p=625

Patt and Lee Designs is teasing us with glimpses of some of the new needlepoint designs to be revealed at the January TNNA market.  Can't wait to see if my guesses about some of the items were right!
http://pattandleedesigns.blogspot.com/

Kreinik's blog has the story of how a needlework shop became a hangout for fishermen.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2010/11/wait-theres-fly-in-my-shop.html

December is bringing sales and trunk shows.  Pocket Full of Stitches starts a 20% off Christmas sale December 1.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-sale.html

Nimble Needle has a Barbara Russell trunk show now, also 20% off.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2010/11/barbara-russell-trunk-show-through.html

Chandail Needlework is having a Twelve Days of Christmas sale the first two weeks of the month (except Sundays) with a different thing on sale each day.  The second link is their website with contact information.
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/137940/35882fd11c/13001004/4a1e835353/

http://www.chandailneedlework.com/

The Needle Works has their canvases on sale at 40% off until December 23.  Threads are 20% off between December 5-11 and accessories and notions (but not books) are on sale Dec. 12-23 at 20% off.  Here's the link for online shoppers.
http://www.theneedleworks.com/catalog/index.php

Have fun browsing!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

The Lee Kimono - Part Two

Earlier I write about Erica's problem canvas:
I also love the touches of black. I recommend that you use black silk for this area to give a touch of elegance and quiet to the design. If it were me, I'd use either tent stitches or elongated cross stitches for the black vertical lines that divide off the sleeves, then use straight and slanted satin stitches for the collar and the hem trim. The gold lines can be either tent stitches or couched metallic or elongated cross stitches. Note that when you use a vertical elongated cross stitch, you make it tall and then. When you use a horizontal elongated cross stitch, you make it short and fat. Make sense?

Erica answers:
Completely. I have done elongated cross stitch before, so I can picture it in my mind. I'm pretty sure I have some black silk mori from Kreinik in my stash that might be just the right thing to use here. 

For the black areas that seem to border the blue areas, I think we have to wait and see before we decide what to use there. The stitching used for the blue areas will determine what to do with the black margins. I wish the photo was larger.

I can remedy the photo size once I return home tomorrow. I'll photograph it instead of scanning it which will give me the ability to crop and enlarge the picture. I'll send it along as soon as I get it done!

Thanks, Erica. A larger photo will help us all see what your canvas looks like since I haven't been able to find it online anywhere.

I also asked:
What do you think the blue areas and the black border that edges each of these areas represent?

In my mind (and I have no idea if I'm right),I see the black lines as dividing the kimono back and the two sides that would wrap around to the front if you were actually wearing it (okay, so you'd have to be really, really, really small to actually wear this kimono, but we won't quibble about little details!)

I agree with you about the vertical black lines.  What about the black borders that divide the blue areas from the pink and each other?  What are they to you?

Thanks for the reassurance. Moving from counted work to painted canvas is a bit intimidating, but mostly because I'm used to being given strict instructions of how to stitch a piece. I'm trying to loosen up a bit and enjoy a little more freedom with a painted canvas!

Not to worry. This is a needlepoint adventure, after all. What's an adventure that doesn't have you doing your own thing?

We'll use flosses mostly to use up threads from your stash, then. Do you have a lot of metallics in your stash, by the way? And if you do, what sizes?

I do have a good assortment of metallics. There's a lot of Kreinik in Blending Filament, #4, #8 and probably some #12 as well. I've got some Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid as well. I think I've got some Neon Rays too. I'm not actually at home right now, so I've been separated from my stash (horror of horrors!), but I'll double check tomorrow.

Good. I have a specific reason for asking that I'll talk about later.

Brave girl!  Thanks for volunteering to help me out.

I tend to think of it as too dumb to know better! :-) I'm a completely self-taught stitcher and I didn't realize until I started taking some classes that the things that I do without thinking too hard about it are hard for others. I think I was too lacking in knowledge to know better.

That is a real advantage at times, Erica. You don't know you should be intimated by something.

Looking at the design, I think the rose red area should be done in something with a diagonal flow to it. I'd use either diagonal mosaic or diagonal cashmere, depending on just how much space you have in the smallest part of the rose red area.  Here are the stitches.
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2000/00-07.php

http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2000/00-08.php

Thanks for the links to the stitches. I think the diagonal cashmere stitch reminds me more of flowing water - and I imagine the flowers floating on water, even if the water is pink! And since the pink area flows from the arm and across the back, the cashmere stitch makes me think of movement. I'll have to experiment with that idea!

Thinking of the pink areas as water and using a flowing stitch is a great idea. This is your kimono, after all, and water with the sunset on it could look pink.

I think I would tent stitch the white centers of the flowers, then work the petals in long and short stitch. I might add black and green beads on top of the white area to spark it up a bit. If you want to add beads, don't tent stitch the intersections where the beads will go. That way they sink a bit into the tent stitches and are held steadier. You could use French knots instead of beads but I think I'd like beads for this piece. They add sparkle that French knots don't unless you use a metallic thread to make the French knots.

While I am quite adept at French knots and don't mind doing them at all, having seen the pieces you've stitched with beads (notably pieces like Luna and the tap pants of Sharon G's), I'm leaning towards adding bead sparkle. I know I have some black and green beads in my stash.

Good. It won't matter if the beads are different sizes or brands, either. I like mixing a variety of beads on a piece like this. After all, flowers have larger and smaller bits in their centers.

Why don't you think about all this and then email me your reactions and we'll go on from there?

I will pull together a better picture tomorrow for you. This kimono drew me from across the store - a sure sign that it needed to come home with me. I'm looking forward to stash diving to find the right threads. I think I have a Dinky-Dye silk that might be the perfect red-rose pink. Do you think I should aim for solid coloured fibres or would a subtle overdy work? Or would a more obvious overdye be better or too distracting? So many decisions! 

There are always a lot of decisions when you start a piece but as you start nailing down what you will use where, then the remaining choices are fewer and less overwhelming.   As for using an overdye for the pink water, I think I would avoid one with an obvious change in shade.  The blue area (whatever it is) has a lot of movement and color changes in it so I'd keep the pink water subtle. A tone on tone pink would be lovely, though.

I'm so grateful for the help with this. You've already gotten me to start seeing this piece stitched. It's exciting!

Good. I am glad you are having fun with this. That makes the stitching much more interesting.

I noticed carolsylvster's comments - and I appreciate them greatly. Unfortunately stumpwork is one form of needlework I'm yet to try, but it is certainly an intriguing idea. It might be too much of an undertaking for this piece though. I'm still undecided about the blue area being water or clouds too - I look at it once and see clouds and look at it again and see water. I think I'm leaning more towards clouds since I think the flowers are floating, but maybe I'll change my mind as we continue the discussion!

I think clouds are a good choice for the blue areas.  To me they look like an obvious place for rich metallics that are laid and then couched down with either solid color threads in silk or cotton floss or with perle cottons (or perle silks) couched down with thin metallics.  If this idea appeals to you, would you look at your stash and see what blues, blacks and whites you have?  I think you will need three shades of blue.  Depending on what you have, lay the threads out on the canvas and see what looks good to you and report back, please.  

Or if you hate this idea, let me know and we'll try again.

Thanks for everything, Jane!

My pleasure.  This is fun for me, too.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow