caro-rose-creations

Pattern Darning

This months Stitch Explorer Challenge is 'Pattern Darning'.  I enjoy this stitch as it feeds my obsession for counted thread work.  I find it very satisfying to make regular patterns.

A couple of years ago I made a set of six place mats for my daughter.  The finished size was 17 1/2" by 13 1/2", (44 X 34 cm).  I hem stitched the edges, using Ecru colour, DMC Cotton a broder No 16 and then stitched 6 different band designs, one on each mat using DMC Cotton a broder No 8 and 12. (The bands ran down the side of the mat.) The fabric was an even weave linen/cotton with 20 threads to 1", in a natural colour.  I must do some more of these as I found the stitching very relaxing.

Very hard to get a good scan of these neutral colours.  Another good reason to buy a new DSLR camera.

Embroidered Blanket

I had a comment the other day in which the writer said that she wanted to make an embroidered woolen blanket for a baby.  I got thinking about that and remembered that I had embroidered a blanket a number of years ago.  I had no idea what I'd done with it.  So, I've been looking and discovered it packed away in a blanket box.  I remember it took ages to finish and that I put far too much detail into it.  When I unpacked it I had forgotten how big it was.

The finished size was the length of the bed and almost the width, no wonder it took so long to embroider.

I really got carried away with the roses.

But some of the other flowers came out quite nice.

  

I remember inserting the piece into a quilting frame to pull the wool tight to work the bow in Shadow Stitch.  When I took the frame off the wool returned to shape and the bow stood up in relief.

When I unfolded the blanket there was a note in it, it read:

When Mum dies this is mine so don't even think about it - Laura

Well at least I know it won't be given to the Op shop.

Drawn & Pulled

I have been away for the weekend at the wedding of our friend's son.  The weather ranged from violent storms to bright sunshine.  Luckily the sunshine came in the wedding part.  I also finished a small piece which included both pulled and drawn thread work.

 

Limerick Lace

I flirted with the idea of doing yards of Limerick Lace.  But, after trying the technique decided that it just wasn't me.

Lefkara Embroidery

I  know I said I was going to leave the embroidery for a while but I came across some more work.  This is a sample I made when I did a workshop with Christine Bishop.  I have been after the book but haven't been able to purchase it.

This is some work by Christine Bishop do have a look at the examples on her web site.

 

Last piece of embroidery for a while.

I have to get pack to the patchwork.  It is mounting up at a great pace.  I have two quilts to "Add a Line' to and if I don't get on with it I will have three and I will hold everyone else up.

These are some little experiments that I stitched for simple back-stitch patterns. 

    

Side tracked

I got sidetracked by a discussion on stitching fingers about drawn thread work.  There was this tantalizing reference to the fact that drawn thread work was brought to Europe from Persia.  From the references I have been able to find drawn thread work is mentioned several times but I am unable to find any images. 

It does make sense though.  Persian influence reached from India through to the Danube.  You can see this influence in Indian embroidery so it makes sense that it would also been used in European embroidery.
The problem with textiles is that they are organic and therefore rot very easily.  There are not a lot of examples that have survived.

This little piece is an experiment with drawn thread work and colour.

Samplers

I am finally getting some of my samplers up on the wall.  This room was the old kitchen.  When we bought this house it had been converted into flats.  We ripped the cladding off the wall and found the old kitchen underneath, including the fuel stove.  I lime washed the walls roughly and plan to cover them with all my samplers.  The sticking point was someone to put them up.  But, that has been resolved and they are starting to take their space.  (I told you I got hooked on cross stitch.)

Naversom

Whilst looking for a disc that has an old drawing program on it I found this old piece of Naversom work, that looks a bit the worst for wear.  It needs to go into the 'Nappysan' to get those stains out.   I did this back in the 1970's.  My God! That is 30 plus years ago.  I still haven't found the disc.

 

Schalm class

I spent today doing a pre class class.  Now that sounds silly, but, we did a class in preparation for the main class which will take place in June.  And, from my efforts today I am going to have to do some practicing to get some of those stitches perfected. 

I did this form of embroidery about 9 years ago and got quite good at it.  It just shows how you have to keep your skills up.  I'm going to have to do this again.