The over one epiphany

was a bunch of nonsense so I removed this post's content,  just in case someone thought it made sense and would give it a try.

It basically was incorrectly thinking that the vertical thread in the intersection of the stitch, would determine the second half of the cross.  If the vertical thread was on top, the second half would go from top to bottom, and if the vertical thread was on the bottom of the intersection, the second half would go from bottom to top.  Wrong!  So rather than create a problem for someone, I decided to remove it.

 

 

Barbara's over one

When I posted about how I detest stitching over one and the problems I had with the thread disappearing, Barbara (in England) was nice enough to offer her help.  I've visited all the instructional links about thread directions and methods to prevent that but, to my dismay, the first half of the stitch continued to disappear or stitches would be very uneven.  This is Barbara's method.

 

She uses a loose, lightweight piece of "muslin" tacked to the back of the over one section, or held in place if using a hoop.  From what I've researched online, what is called muslin overseas, is equivalent to muslin gauze in the US.  I am familiar with the tightly woven lightweight fabric.  From what she pictured and explained, her muslin is loosely woven like a bandage, more like a gauze.  I have a very old roll of fine cotton gauze banding which I could use and I also may try a piece of tulle after rinsing to remove the stiffness.

Stitching through a backing would help to keep the floss from slipping behind the linen threads.  Would it prevent it completely and allow the stitcher to use their regular method instead of a cross pattern specifically for over one?  In this example, Barbara had a small section of over one so she just pinned a piece of gauze over that area, which she said could also be tacked into place.  With a hoop/frame, you could use a large piece of gauze secured with the linen and then cut away the excess after stitching that area.

 

Here's the front showing the completed over one section (a Jeannette Douglas design). 

 Barbara said she uses the backing for smalls and ornaments because she feels the stitches lie better.  I would think this would help a great deal with tension issues and give a little body and stability to smalls and lightweight linens.

 

I wondered if products like the stabilizers used in embroidery would work, but anything that is fused may be difficult to get a needle through because of the glue involved. 

 

Barbara said she can't claim credit for this method because it is commonly used and frequently taught in England.  I'm so glad she offered her help because I've never heard of this tip and it may be the answer to my trouble. 

 

This framed beauty is one of Barbara's large samplers, another superb class project from Ellen Chester.

 

So there you have it!  Have any of you used this trick?  Did it make a difference in how easily you could stitch the over one areas?  I have many rejected charts because of over one, maybe that will change now.
 

Thank you very much Barbara!!  I love getting advice and tips from advanced stitchers like you and appreciate you sharing your expertise.

Have a great weekend! 

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Getting closer

How are you?  Good I hope.  We're half way through April already!  Can't believe how fast time goes.

 

Just wanted to show my dye job for Mary Spinney.  This linen was a brownish natural and marked as 28, but after several dye and dry sessions, it looks like it shrunk to a 30.  Either way, it's a little more substantial than the original and I don't have to remove stitching, just start pulling threads.  They aren't marked with color numbers on the chart since it was a kit, just the color name so I will have to choose pastels according to the description.  I hope once that's done I won't find another excuse to delay the start. 

The linen is an odd green and I'm surprised I matched it.  It's still slightly damp in the photos and will dry a little lighter, but slightly darker than the shiny silky linen from the kit.  Any bets whether I use it or change to the dark blue?

 

 I was looking at a few tutorials for various sewing bags, and although functional and really pretty, I think I will stick with these for storing kitted projects.  I like being able to see through the portfolio instead of having to remember the contents.  Makes it easier to browse but once pulled and started, I prefer a canvas/fabric bag.

 

I get the sliding top heavy envelopes and the flap with closure at Staples, the other is from Pat Catan's art department. 

It's large and has an outside clear pocket for the chart and the supplies can be in the zippered part.  I have a bunch of the smaller ones, perfect for small projects and charts.  Wonder if I will get the mojo back to ever stitch them!

 

 

I will be recouping at home for a few days and get the photos of Barbara's over one method for a weekend post.

 

I'll be on an antibiotic for a week after the procedure and it should take care of the cat scratch too.  He'll check it on follow-up.  Thanks for your concern and advice!

 

Have a wonderful day.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Jackpot

Found them!  I have been working on a bench for use as a coffee table, that has areas to keep the stitching out of sight yet easy access.  A similar bench was there but a little too high so I moved it to another room.  When I passed it last night on a Missy hunt, I remembered moving charts to it.  Mary and all her friends were safe and sound in addition to others I had forgotten. 

One of those was Mary Spinney from the Examplarery.  She looks like a fun piece to stitch, only 7" wide on 28 and I need to dye a piece of linen for her.  When I purchased her from Ebay, she was already started on the kit's linen by the seller, and the color is great but it's very sheer.  I need to decide if I will start it over on a newly dyed 30 count, or continue on.  Elizabeth Clayton was another catching my eye but I think narrow quick to complete rows are the best choice when not feeling needle love.

This piece is a beautiful dark olive and I could probably use R&R Sea Glass, but I tend to hoard linen that I like.  Rather than use what I have and love, I will waste an afternoon messing around trying to dye another piece.  Why am I saving it when I don't even feel like stitching any more?  The new blues I bought will be hoarded too.  Such a silly girl woman old lady.  Took a customer service survey this morning and checked off the 55-64 bracket.  That 65 birthday is very close, but they won't know so I plan on staying in the 55-64 bracket.  It's like having to go up another size in panties.  Those big big girl panties that have screaming elastic threads breaking and hanging like fringe on a 60's hippie. 

 

This afternoon I'm having a minor office procedure done.  I'll show him my wrist while I'm there.  No fluid or swelling, just sore and red.

 

Have a great day people!  Stay safe, eat cake.

Have a piece for me.

 

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MISSY!!!

I had to take Carole to an appointment this morning and I got two cats out, but Missy was no where to be found.  She is so bad and silent and she does not stay in the room with the boys.  Could not find her.  Did she sneak out with the others?  Did she not come in for breakfast?  Search the basement.  Search the upstairs.  Running around in a frenzy because now I will be late picking her up.  Hot flash begins and I stop, open the fridge for a cool blast, and as I turn.... I see the little devil.  She must have been looking at those charts on the sofa and hoping to give an opinion in her special ornery way.  My wrist is becoming more inflamed and probably infected so I do not need any more scratches.  Little does she know that those two are no longer in the running.  So there, you dirty pawed little brat.  GET OUT!!!

I have decided to force myself into a project but so far, have been dragging my feet.  Not only is Mary Spence and Elena Tratman still on a binge somewhere, Mary Elliot must have gone with them.   Sarah Harvey and Lillias Davidson are here but I don't have the wool for Lillias yet.  The longer I put this off the harder it will be.  Am I the only one that can actually lose sampler charts that are brand new and kept in one room?  So ridiculous.

 

Have a great day.  Neosporin and Advil for me.

 

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The sampler verse, wordy men, and poetastic fathers

Dummy me thought they were the words of the stitcher of years ago.  I don't study samplers, history, provenance, styles, and never will.  I just like them.  And I'm lazy.  So when I was reviewing the Rhode Island sized chart of Jane Ballard (and not understanding the flower stitches) I thought... hmmm.  I've stitched this verse before.  Yep.  Mary Oldfield.  Did a little online research to find "tell me ye knowing..." is on the samplers of Rebecca Cullin and her friends in addition to others. Then I found an excerpt from the book American Samplers which is a free read on Google.  Seems I wasn't the only one that thought this....

 

 

That last line says it all, and could have with fewer words.  To my dismay.

Based on his letter he was a wordy intelligent man and he was fooled too.  I don't feel as bad now about the sampler verse, but a little simple because I would have just said "hey, the verse is not their own words".  To my dismay.

 

Barbara sent me a few photos of her over one method which I never heard of, but she said is commonly used and taught in England.  Will be sharing that this week.  Might be something else you all know and no one shared with me.  To my dismay.

 

Rain rain rain.  To my dismay.

 

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