Our Friends' HAED SAL: QS Iris Update & New Pattern

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

QS Iris Update & New Pattern

Progress on my QS Iris has been sporadic and slow, but I have gotten a little more done since I last posted. My planned span of lazy days of doing nothing much more than stitching disappeared in a *poof*, almost the moment I dreamed about them, but as always, I keep hoping that life's events will soon fall into some sort of order to allow me more time to stitch.

Here is my update on my QS Iris:

I don't know if it the colors, or what, but I am finding this depressing to stitch, which surprises me, because the finished piece appears to be gorgeous. I guess I just haven't gotten to the colorful parts yet.

So what do I do to pick myself up? What any marginally sane person would do in the same circumstances. I took advantage of the recent HAED sale to celebrate Michele's Birthday (Happy Birthday, Michele!! Wishing you a fantastic year, and many, many more!), and bought myself another HAED pattern. Honestly. .I did go through the ones in my stash, and while I eventually want to stitch them, right now, none of them inspired me out of my funk.

But this one is tempting me, and I couldn't resist. It is a new pattern, Luna, by Marjorie Sarnat. My pattern arrived today, and now I have to go about getting fabric and seeing what threads I need. Then gridding and seeing where to fit it into my already crowded rotation.

Hmmmm, I wonder if one of my kitties would let me paint him or her to look like this one. I guess not. I'll have to be happy and love my furry friends, just as they are, and settle for a fanciful stitched cat.

I wish everyone a happy, peaceful and productive Stitching Thursday tomorrow!

6 comments:

Joke said...: Suzie, you made the right decision and I'm sure you will pick up Irises again, some other time. In the meanwhile you are starting a really colourful disign, that should cheer you up! Looking forward to see your progress :); July 22, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Cindy F. said...: Suzie, you have already made amazing progress on Irises, but I agree...you may need a short break from it.
I think Luna is just the thing to get you out of your stitching slump!; July 23, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Carolyn NC said...: Stitching looks good; I love your new pattern!; July 23, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Astrid said...: Wow the new one is very nice..... Colors and design is great.... Love to see a start next time!!!!; July 23, 2009 at 10:16 AM
beth said...: Beautiful stitching on Irises! I think it's always good to have other pieces to switch to when we need a break- even the quick stitches are challenging, long-term projects, I think!

Looking forward to seeing WIPs of Luna- it's such a colorful design!; July 23, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Valerie L. said...: Hi Suzie,
Your already made a great job on Iris and we have to keep in mind that stitching is a hobbie, not a work... You took the right decision and your new pattern is lovely! My cat is black and white like this one! So cute!; July 23, 2009 at 4:07 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.