Thursday, March 19, 2009

Progress Update & A Question

Good Evening!

I hope that everyone has enjoyed a beautiful stitching day! I myself, am still in the "prep" mode, although I did get some more accomplished today.

We had an appointment this afternoon to get the car serviced, combined with some errand running afterward, so I took my floss and my bobbins, and I sat there and wound, while watching their large screen TV. I also attracted a bit of an audience, with not only other customers, but car salesmen and mechanics wandering through, wanting to know what I was doing, and why. Now I'm supposed to take my stitching back in so they can see my progress!!

And, at 5 a.m. this morning, to give myself a break from the floss winding, I started on the other prep that I do. .gridding. And after a few rows, with bleary eyes, I was ready to start bobbin winding again! And when I glance over at my 18 count, WIP, it seems gigantic!

I'm not going to give up on the 25 count, but what is bothering me, is the softness and fluidity of the Dublin Linen that was recommended to me for my Iris pattern. I've never cross stitched on something so soft before. I'm still going to try it. .I want to try expanding my stitching horizons, but if I'm not enjoying it, I want to know my alternatives, ahead of time.

So, I'm asking this. .what is your favorite fabric to stitch a HAED pattern on? I know that the results on the group poll show that evenweave is the clear leader so far, but what one(s), specifically, do you like the best?

I also want to take the opportunity here, to express how MUCH I'm enjoying sharing every one's progress on their respective stitching projects!

I had to be away for several days, and then that precisely placed lightning bolt took my on-line connections away from me for a few more days, and in that time, this group mushroomed!!! I've tried leaving comments on every one's entry, but found that I was losing ground every time I took a short break! You are all incredible!

So, I'm going to take the easy way out, by thanking everyone for sharing their updates! I've seen one gorgeous stitching image, after another, and I'd be hard pressed to name my favorite! The one that I love the most, is the one that I am currently studying! You are all SO inspirational, and SO talented, I am in awe of even being a small part of this group!

My personal goal this week, is to temporarily take a little more stitching time away from my other project, which I'm loving, to get all of my prep work done for my Irises, so that by this time next week, I'll have some actual stitching to post! One can dream!!

Now I'm going to go back and do some more gridding & floss winding. .it isn't midnight yet!!

Hugs to you all!

13 comments:

KiKi said...

I prefer 25 count jobelan or lugana for my HAED's.

Cindy F. said...

Hey girl!! Such a sweet post!! Hugs:)
OK, this is just my opinion....I am stitching my first HAED, so I'm not as experienced as most here, but...I'm stitching on 25ct. dublin linen and for the HAED piece...I hate it!! There! I said it! The hand is tooo soft and the floss gets lost easily in the linen. So this slows me down because with confetti stitches jumping from row to row...I can't get in a rhythm. Next one will definetly be evenweave or 18ct. aida! It just depends on the hand you want to work with,,,,just my opinion;)
Good luck deciding!

Carolyn NC said...

I haven't stitched a HAED yet, but am getting ready to start, but my favorite fabric is Lugana, any count. I plan on stitching the HAED on 25 ct. Lugana, too.

Suzie said...

Cindy, I'm with you!! Too soft!! I want something with more body. .my eyes are leapfrogging, and we all know that we don't want ANY frogs or frog references hanging around our cross stitching!

Are you stitching with one or two strands? I was reading on SilkWeavers, that you should use 2 or even 3 strands with the Dublin Linen.

Thanks to you all for the quick responses! I'm taking notes!!!

Cindy F. said...

Well..lol...another reason I hate the dublin for this...I started stitching 2 over 1..it felt too full, looked bulky, so I started over, 1 over 1. BUT!!! now I have fabric showing through in some stitches and yes, it bugs me!!..lol... I'm laughing at myself, because I sound like I just can't be happy no matter what;) Wonder what everyone else does???

Suzie said...

Cindy, you've just made me feel SO much better! I thought that I was the only one who wasn't pleased with this fabric, and now I know that I'm in excellent company! Now I'll be able to sleep tonight. .while you are stitching away into the wee hours! lol

Sabine S. said...

I'm only in my second week of stitching my first HAED, but I am happy with my 25 ct Lugana,1 over 1.
Sabine

Diane (di) said...

Well, I'm definitely with Sabine. When it comes to HAED I use 25 count lugana, 1 over 1. I've tried other fabric counts/types and the lugana works best for me. Even though it can be frustrating, you really want to take the time to find a fabric that you love because, as all us HAED-ers know, you'll be spending quite a bit of time stitching these beauties. The right fabric count (and needles) can make stitching them sooo much easier. OK, off my soapbox now. ;)

Annie Bee said...

I like 28 count linen or evenweave. I am not sure of what the names of them are though.

Wendy said...

Well I'm stitching my HAED on 18 ct aida. I love stitching on it, but it will turn out larger than the pattern is saying. But I don't mind. It still will look so great.

Elfie said...

This is my first HAED, and I decided to use 22 count hardanger. I'm happy with that decision. I started using 1 strand and cross stitches, but quickly decded it didn't really give me the coverage I preferred, and 2 strands cross stitches was too bulky for me. So I have compromised. I'm still stitching the background (sky) in 1 strand cross stitch, but stitching Santa in 2 strands continental. I am very happy with the way it looks. If I ever stitch another HAED (and I hope I do!) I'll do it all in 2 strands continental stitch, and I'd probably stick with the 22 count hardanger.

Carla said...

I'm doing mine on 25ct Jobelan and I love it! I'm doing full crosses 1 over 1 and very happy with the coverage :)

Suzie said...

Thank you everyone, for your valued suggestions! I truly appreciate the time you took to share your experiences with me!