I came across a wonderful blackwork blog, Blackwork Journey. Elizabeth Almond is writer of the blog and a pattern designer. She has designed a huge blackwork project where sections are released one at a time.
I've had in mind to do a larger sampler-style piece of blackwork for a while, so I bought the recommended materials and got to work. Above is one of the blocks. Each of the squares has a different filling design and metallic threads and beads will come into it later.
Stitching this is a little fiddly as it's 28 count linen, that means 28 threads per inch. It's small. Very small.
See what I mean? And that could be a problem... it was pointed out to me that it should be stitched over 2, whereas I've been stitching over 1. I'm just awaiting confirmation from Elizabeth but I might have to rip out this 4-5 hours work....
Update: Yep, I did it wrong. Cue lots of cursing...
How very frustrating! Still, stitched over two you will be able to see the effect of the different fillings more easily!
ReplyDeletewhat a small world I was talking to Liz a couple of weeks ago, met her over 20 years ago when she came and gave a talk n making a hobby a business, We both had to think who each of us was as I moved away from the area in 2007 and we have both aged!! Before that I used to see her a lot at shows where I worked.
ReplyDeleteI just can't do the small cloth anymore. I just finished a butterfly on 18 ct black Aida. Never again.
ReplyDeleteIt looks fine to me - if it is done wrong, but done consistently, then it is right! ;-) Cx
ReplyDeleteWhy not just finish the part that you're working on doing it the way you have been doing it and then use what you've made as an embellishment on a little zippered bag or something like that. Then you could start on a new one and call the first one a practice piece.
ReplyDeleteYikes! That is so small. It looks like very fiddly work. Hopefully stitching it over 2 will be easier!
ReplyDeleteI can hear your cursing all the way over here - very ... inventive! ;) Ahead lies the pain of ripping out your laboriously placed stitches, but at least going forward, it should be easier on your eyes and fingers to stitch over 2 threads instead of 1!
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... Could you start a new one where you stitch over 2 and continue this one over 1? It may not work for the metallic threading and beading that come in later, but these stitches are fun to look at as they are.
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel your pain. It'll be worth it in the end if it's to be part of a bigger sampler
ReplyDeleteBlackwork Journey is a wonderful blog (almost as nice as yours). This sampler is definitely on my list of projects, I'd like to do. I'm looking forward to seeing yours progress.
ReplyDeleteOh yes - curses! IT is beautiful and I agree with the others - if you have to re-do it, leave it and start a new one - that way you can keep this as it is and make it into something - besides, the black thread will leave tiny fibers in the cloth and when you stitch over it, your stitches will seem fuzzy in places...
ReplyDeleteIf it's any consolation at all, your stitching is really lovely!
oops yes, 28 count is a bit fine to be stitching over one, and since you're going to be adding beads later, it does sound like it needs to be stitched over 2. I agree with Jillayne - I'd tend to grab myself another piece of fabric and start again rather than unpicking because you'll have fuzzy fluff left from the black thread.
ReplyDeleteWould be a real shame to rip this out, I vote for keeping it too!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry. I like the comments that suggest making something small out of this one so you don't loose all that work. Is that an option?
ReplyDelete