Our Friends' HAED SAL: Sabine's Intro

Monday, March 16, 2009

Sabine's Intro

Hi! First, a big thank you to Cindy F. and Wendy for starting this blog and allowing HAED addicts from around the world share this hobby! I have a co-worker who thinks I must be a masochist for enjoying this!

I am Sabine, a 37 year old single mom of a 19 year old son. We live in Texas with my six year old male Jack Russell terrier, Homer. I work full time in guest relations for an international motel chain.

I have been stitching for about a year and a half, self taught from the humble beginnings of a bad kit. I don't grid my fabric, park my threads, or work a 10x10 square and I assume this slows me down. I tend to learn new skills as I need them to complete a pattern I like.

I purchased my first HAED last Fall, QS Storykeeper by Selene Fenech, but only started 3 days ago. I love stitching 1x1 (on 25ct antique white Lugana)! I am seriously thinking of purchasing a second HAED, something with more "happy" colors (that's my story...and I'm sticking to it). Although I am drooling over Fenech's Catch Me.

Here is my first week's little bit of progress:

8 comments:

Maxine said...: A lovely start :); March 16, 2009 at 2:24 PM
KiKi said...: If you enjoy the stitching, that is all that matters. I don't grid or park or any of that stuff either and I've been stitching for about 20 years! I just adapt to whatever the pattern is!; March 16, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Cindy F. said...: Sabine! Welcome!! Great start!
We're really happy you're joining us and we can't wait to see your QS Storykeeper progress even more:)
Have fun girl!; March 16, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Gabi said...: That is such a beautiful project. I LOVE the story keeper. It will look marvelous.; March 16, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Wendy said...: Welcome Sabine to our blog! Can't wait to see your project grow! We can learn new skills here from eachother. I started parking my threads too thanks to the good explanation of Vickie. And I like doing it, it seems that it goes a little faster.; March 17, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Carolyn NC said...: Good start, Sabine!; March 18, 2009 at 6:36 AM
Laura said...: You were very smart to start with a QS, and Storykeeper is a very pretty one. I like switching between HAEDS because I get tired of stitching on just one.; March 18, 2009 at 7:07 AM
beth said...: Pretty start, Sabine! I love storykeeper- I'm stitching the full-size, but i love the QS as well. Her face is so lovely. Can't wait to see your progress on her!; March 18, 2009 at 2:58 PM

Tutorials

How to Carry Threads
This is really easy...it takes a while to get used to though....and your back will look terrible...this you will have to live with...One thing...You will be working your 10 x 10 grids in colums...it makes it easier...
1. Start with a 10 x 10 grid..
2. Find your first symbol...and stitch all of that symbol in your 10 x 10 grid....When finished...
3. Find the same symbol on the 10 x 10 grid below it...take your needle and bring your thread up like you are going to make the first 1/2 of the X ...but don't do it...just unthread your needle and lay the thread down..
4. Go back to the first grid you were working on...and stitch the next symbol the same way....when finished bring your thread down....
5. continue each symbol until your first 10 x 10 grid is finished....
6. start the next 10 x 10 grid ....you should have thread there already for you to pick up and stitch...
Posted by Vickie 3/7/2009

Tent Stitching (Wikipedia)
Tent stitch variants
There are three types of tent stitch, all producing the same appearance on the front of the canvas but each worked in a slightly different way and having particular characteristics, uses, benefits and drawbacks. These variants of tent stitch are known as basketweave, continental and half cross tent stitches:
Basketweave tent stitch - The basketweave form of tent stitch is worked in diagonal rows up and down the canvas. The yarn on the back of the canvas has a typical basketweave appearance, with alternating horizontal and vertical stitches. Basketweave is the best stitch to use for covering large areas of canvas as it does not distort the canvas as the other two forms of tent stitch do.
Continental tent stitch - Continental stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitches appear diagonally across two threads. This method uses more yarn than half cross stitch tent stitch but is more hardwearing.
Half cross tent stitch - Half cross stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitch appears vertical or horizontal, not diagonal, and crosses only one thread. This method uses less yarn than other stitches but is not very durable as coverage on the back of the canvas is a little thin.