From this
To this!
Can you believe that I would have this kind of problem ? I couldn't imagine how I could cut two threads after this much stitching.
It was then a case of girding my loins and reweaving - after what are two small missing linen threads to a weaver worth her salt?
I used a thread from the bottom of the piece of fabric as suggested in Yvette Stanton's incomparable book on Hardanger. (Mary Corbet did a piece on her recently). Until I began this Sampler#1 I did not realise just how helpful Yvette's book was , especially working in isolation.
This is a 3 1/2 inch sampler (#1) from Jill Carter's book and I do plan to at least stitch #2 if not #3. Ambitious. aren't I?
Despite trouble counting the threads, especially when beginning the kloster blocks, this piece was fun to stitch. In the process, I learnt to do diagonal eyelets, needleweaving, wrapped bars, twisted lattice band and reversed diagonal faggoting – not a bad collection of experience to collect from one small piece.
While I hope to do #2 a little better I am not unhappy with this one. The one thing that caused me problems (other than the small matter of cut threads!) was the satin stitch star in the centre – I just could not seem to count threads correctly - I think I needed 5 tries.
The fabric is my favourite, 28 count linen, and the thread, #8 and #12 perle cotton.
While I have no intention of producing a larger piece of Hardanger I needed to try to understand the technique before attempting to incorporate it into my surface stitching. I am not sure whether or not it is workable but I do have some ideas simmering on the back burner.
The Christmas boxes delighted their recipients to my delight! As did the other handmade gifts.One of the little girls has started to embroider herself a cushion - so that is wonderful.
The lace journey could be interesting - I have not had the pillow out for 3 years or more and my skill level is way lower than par. I am getting ready to join some of the Lace makers group from Stitchin Fingers to learn Bedfordshire lace, beginning in March - now that is an ambitious thought.
10 comments:
Hardanger is my favorite type of embroidery and I love this one!
I always find it hard to cut the thread - I have too many what if I slip fears !
Your piece is lovely
It looks fabulous. Well done on persevering
Marg - this looks wonderful.looking forward to seeing it for real (school goes back next Tuesday so we will have to plan a get together)
Well done! Hardanger is much easier to learn on traditional fabrics though - hardanger, then oslo fabric. Oslo is a lot softer, making it not quite so easy to get to grips with. I don't like using linen type fabrics so much.
This looks beautiful. I'm just gearing up to try some hardanger myself, so it's really interesting and encouraging to see what you've done.
wow Marg
it's brilliant!
pardon my ignorance, but where are those threads that are causing you so much strain?
neki desu
Looks great, and look how much you have leart! I love hardanger, especially worked on evenweave linen. As for cutting wrong threads, done it many times myself, and for the life of me I cannot see where you have re-woven the threads to fix it. Well done.
wow what a piece of patience this represents!
Just wanted to say thanks so much for the feedback on my book. I am so pleased that you found it helpful!
Yvette Stanton
Author of "Elegant Hardanger Embroidery"
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