Our Friends' HAED SAL: QS White Cat (30 April)

Sunday, May 3, 2009

QS White Cat (30 April)

Not very much progress this week as after deciding to concentrate on finishing page 1 I discovered I was missing a thread and was unsure of the correct thread to use. After an email to Michele at HAED and a very quick response I found I could either use a DMC pearlescent thread or a Kreinik #4. I had ordered the DMC thread online but then decided to order the Kreinik #4. I had to wait - impatiently for a few days - for them both to arrive so that I could compare them. As this thread is for the face of the cat I wanted to make sure I got it right and in the end I decided to use the Kreinik #4 which is a nicer colour and much easier to use as I only need one strand instead of 2 in DMC. Have I lost you yet? I was disappointed that I didn’t have time to finish the page but hopefully I should be able to post this next week.

I have also decided to stitch the facial features last so that the project “comes to life” at the last minute. I should be able to do this if I make sure I carefully grid the fabric and check there are no mistakes – any comments or help on this would be appreciated.

Here is my progress for this week.

3 comments:

Cindy F. said...: So happy to hear you got your thread worked out:) I think you've made great progress! and how exciting you're going to TEASE us with the face til the end...lol!!; May 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Gabi said...: Your cat looks stunning already. Hmmmm....stitching the face at last? That's mean!!! (kidding); May 3, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Wendy said...: Oooh I can see an ear already ;) Wonderful progress. Can't wait to see the rest of it.; May 5, 2009 at 4:36 AM

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.