Our Friends' HAED SAL: QS Terra Fairy Sprite

Friday, January 7, 2011

QS Terra Fairy Sprite

I too joined the QS freebie SAL on the HAED BB. I chose Terra, stitching her on 32 ct antique white Lugana. She is supposed to be my 1x1 tent experiment (stitching on the left), but it looks thin, the colors seem pale, and I hate the diagonal white lines of the fabric showing through. So I tried 2x1 tent (right stitching), but it is lumpy with twisted threads on many stitches, and it's already so thick on the back it's hard to get the needle through!

I don't know what I am going to do. As she is small, I wanted to try tenting to see if I like the final result. If I have to go back to full crosses, I don't know if I like her enough to put in that much time and work. There are other pieces higher on my to do list.

I'm open to your comments about what you "see" when you look at them.

Sabine

6 comments:

Bev said...: i know what you mean about tenting, but if you look at the 1 x 1 version from a distance does it look bad? when were stitching we are too close up and really who looks at a picture that close up. i gave it a shot and hated it, but if you dont want to commit to full x take a step back and see what you think; January 7, 2011 at 11:27 PM
Unknown said...: i would give it a try with the 1 thread,maybe if there are more colors on the fabric you will see something you like?; January 8, 2011 at 12:18 AM
Nina said...: I would try 28ct fabric, tenting with two strands. The coverage is great and it doesn't get as thick as two strands in 32ct. But that's only my opinion :); January 8, 2011 at 2:44 AM
Susan said...: You might want to try changing the count of fabric if you still want to tent stitch. I find 2x1 on 25 count gives good coverage, as long as the fabric you are stitching on is a similar color as the background. I haven't tried 28 count tent stitching yet.; January 8, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Anonymous said...: I am new to this large project stitching. Traditionally on the smaller projects I have done, I use the thread wax to keep my threads from fraying and twisting. Maybe that would help? I find it works, but then again I was using it on 14 ct aida 2x1 crossing on small projects. I have never done tent stitching and I understand your delema, it just doesn't look that full... I too am experimenting with it. I am working on QS pattern on 22 ct aida. But I can't decide if I want to use 2x1 tent, or 1x1 crossed. Plus with the tent stitching, wouldn't you have to make sure all the stitching is going in the same direction?; January 9, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Geek-Stitch said...: Have you considered dying your fabric to a warmer or more neutral colour? I've stitched on ivory, lambswool and brown Lugana and have found that a warmer background makes your stitching look richer... Similarly, I guess if the primary colours in the design are cool colours, you could try a more blue tinted background fabric...; January 10, 2011 at 11:45 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.