Newbie on board

Welcome! It's been quite some time since a designer has joined us. Are you familiar with Sue Strom? She has had her work in E&CS, but I think it's been awhile, now.

So very glad you decided to post. I understand about there not being enough hours in a day to do all that creative people want to do!!

Aga> Hi, fellow stitchers,

Thanks for the welcome.

I know about Sue Strom, but this was before my time >:). Have been collecting E&CS for a long time. I started to get published about 2 years ago. Well, it does take some time to find out through trial and error what you really like, and what you can do best.

Am I glad that not everyone is the same.

Quite a few that post here also do Hardanger. I dabble in it, but haven't done any in a year. Love it, but I'm old fashioned and prefer the white-on-white look. So, you'll have to convince me to change . I'm open as long as the thread isn't too hard to come by.

Dianne

Stitch> Thanks for the welcome.

Dianne Lewandowski ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

I agree with you Dianne, except a friend did a tablecloth and all the blocks etc were done in over dyed blue through green. It is very effective and lovely to see. It forced me to revise my thinking.

I see the point in either. I have and love the look of the traditional, but have recently done some that's in overdyes, and has a totally different look. It's a Michelle Ink Chatelaine - that I bought the chart years ago. Michelle taught a mini-class in filling stitches at our area "stitch-away" - and it's all set to be done in variegated threads. After doing some of the practice - doodling the different fillings - I kind of like it in the varietal. So, now I'm thinking about what color I'll do the "real" thing in, and find some appropriate linen, etc.

If you're curious about the piece - I found it on e-bay:

No one is going to convince you >:)).

When I talk about colours, I don't necessarily mean colourful. I prefer the more subtle, variegated or overdyed threads with a nice linen. I believe that Hardanger still should be showing its elegant subtleness through the stitches and the needleweaving, too much and overpowering colour would take the effect away. There are some really colourful Hardanger pieces around, especially from Romania and Hungary, but that in my eyes is more country type style embroidery for traditional costumes for example.

I love the Caron Threads, and am also now working with Dinky Dyes, which are perfectly suited for Hardanger. I wouldn't use stark reds or greens combined with other colours, but it does make a difference in appearance.Check out the doilies on my website, the bookmark or my cushion cover, they are all done with variegated threads, but they could as well be embroidered cream on cream.

However, lately I saw a piece done in red on red linen, and it looked absolutely fantastic.

Happy Stitching Sibille

Hi,

Welcome to the group.

When I teach hardanger i suggest the newcomer uses a colour, but a subtle one, so that they can see what they are doing. I try to steer them away from navy or bottle green, for example, as the little nibs that are left when you do the cutting show and look tatty at the end of the class.

Once they have the idea, I agree if they want to use colour for lesson

1. I think white on white (or ecru on ecru) looks really lovely, but have to admit to having been tempted to use the random dyed threads on some of my models.

Oh and I have to remind the students to breathe when they start cutting. Most people hold their breath and I don't want anyone passing out in my classes!

Regards,

Carol Leather

"carol" ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

It's a question of cutting the first wrong thread. You then learn how to deal with that and peace comes because with renewed confidence, one rarely cuts the wrong thread again lol

Something akin to getting back up on the horse when you get thrown.

As a teenager, I had done cutwork pillowcases, and then chickened out when it came to the actual cutting. My granny never knew they were supposed to be cut out because they looked just fine as is.

As an adult, I took an EGA class that required cutting, and I knew I wouldn't pass if I didn't cut. I poured a glass of adult beverage, set it on the table, and (here's the important part) cut first. If I'd made a mistake, I could've drowned my sorrows immediately. When I finished cutting, I celebrated my bravery.

Hi Carol,

I agree absolutely with you. If you work really dark colours on light fabric, the little nibs can stand out and look just ugly.

Suble shaded colours are nice, or darker colours on a fabric going with it in colour.

Yep, cutting can be a challenge. I remember my first hardanger piece, which still is hanging from the doorknob to my room. Somehow I did manage it, but a lot of it is wrong and reminds me of the beginnings. But I did breathe. The trouble is you know you do something irreversible. Can happen to me still, but now I know how to hide it >:).

Happy Stitching Sibille

My first Hardanger piece was one of your designs. I don't remember who taught the class but it was at one of the stitching festivals in Des Moines (many years ago--'98 or '99). We used a soft country blue (not exact color name--it was a brand not readily available in the States) on a sort of dove grey fabric and it was lovely! Oddly enough I've never photographed the finished/framed piece. I got the stitching done within a week and did the cutting while watching the Iowa-Iowa State football game with a group of friends.

So glad you said that! I often forget to breathe when I`m concentrating - then wonder why my heart does peculiar wriggles!!!

Pat

I'd give anything to have that Des Moines show back.