Humble Beginnings

This week, I finally started working on some samples for my upcoming Hand Stitching class. I've had lots of thoughts bopping around in my head (and I've gotten many of those down on paper) but for some reason I just wasn't sitting down and starting to make samples.

I decided to start by reintroducing myself to three basic stitches that I use a lot in my work...back stitch, stem stitch and running stitch. One thing I really want to do is set limits...both in size and color. So, I am trying to stick with black and white to start. These samples use black DMC floss on a slightly off-white Prepared for Dyeing Kona cotton. I also have black cotton and will use white floss. And...I'll probably try white stitching on white cloth and black stitching on the black cloth. I do want to try out some different fabrics....linen, silk, felt and maybe a sheer of some kind. The students will have the chance to paint and print (black and white) some designs during the first session...just for some variety.

Back stitch: Changing the thickness of the lines.

But getting back to these samples... I focused on thick versus thin so I stitched lines that gradually used fewer strands of floss. I tried to keep the stitches pretty uniform in length. Stitching the lines using 5 and 6 strands was not very easy (especially trying to keep an even tension as I worked) and I think that the weave of this cotton may be too tight to comfortably accommodate that many strands. The linen and felt will probably work much better (more samples to come!). Even doing these simple  samples has got me thinking...about designs with lines that become thick and thin. I want to try that next. And then I want to think about and explore the concept of line. Using descriptors for lines...and then trying to stitch them (for example...can a line be angry?).

Stem stitch: Changing the thickness of the lines.

Running stitch: Changing the thickness of the lines.

So this is the humble start...

Hamsa Redux: Starting to Stitch

I finally had the chance yesterday to start stitching on the new (and hopefully, improved) version of the hamsa piece for F.I.N.E. We are having a meeting this coming Wednesday and this needs to be completed or at least VERY far along.

I pulled out my embroidery floss and started auditioning colors. I had a pretty good idea about where I wanted to go, but the subtleties of the colors required a bit of thought.

I also wanted to try some stitch variations for the eyes on the fingertips, including: back stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch and chain stitch.

I actually liked the look of the back side of the back stitch which appeared as a looser version of the stem stitch. Rather than working from the back, I decided to do a less regular stem stitch. The finished sample eye is what I'm planning for the final piece.

Here is the progress so far.

There is still much to do.

Yesterday's entertainment while stitching included watching/listening to Mystic River and part of The Shining...what a strange combination...wonder if it had any effect on my stitching!