Hi all,
So, I'm about to post some pix on RCTNP of my latest progress on Baroque. I'm about to start the really interesting kind of double swirl inside the squares- it goes between the Jessica & Smyrna, and will then be filled with a Rhodes and some beads. My intent is to finish 3 of them, so I have 1 left to do with the class for the demo - the other stitches I will be demo'ing on a blank - but this one needs the inner/outer portions. My big plan is to completely finish the main work with this piece by tomoorow. Cause then I must go full steam ahead on finishing my Amethyst Dreams - since Donna's is already at the framer, and mine needs to at least get the fixing's ordered this week.
Along with that I will now rant about the worst battles I've had with some threads in quite some time. Yes, worse than Neon Rays. Hard to believe.
So, if you look at the pix, you'll see in the narrow V-shaped borders what looks like a row of black grommets/rings connected in black, with purplish lines parallel, then some shiney pale metallic between the purple & the black. The purple narrow stuff is Petite Sparkle Rays, which I subbed for
1/16 Kreinik, and is pretty nice to work with (Just leave enough tail that will unravel which you plan to waste). Although it's hard to see, on either side of the double laid purple, is a long satin stitch of Perle 8, in the same midnight blue color as the smyrna motifs inside the squares. It actually makes a difference, giving some better definition to the purple. The black round things are small Jessicas done in Perle 5 (not great fun, very hard to see for the joining sitthces). For those who've never done Jessicas - they're a fun stitch - the trick is that one stitch joins up to the beginning, but then you will normally do several more - which will slide under the existing first stitches and go down in those holes - so you essentially lift the base of the wreath, slide under and then go down in the correct hole - finishing usually as you go down in the last corner stitch on the RHS. Gives the no-visible end or beginning look. Jean Hilton explains these really well in any of her books. The black lines are a center of 1/16 ribbon, which also forms XS in the center of each Jessica, and then the line is flanked by Neon Rays on either side. Whew. All pretty straightforward. Until...the metallic short stitches (over 4 or 5) which are between the black, and actually the barely visible perle 8. What a PITA. First, I changed the Kr#8 to Crystal Braid 12 because I needed to start, and couldn't find a Kr 8 that was exactly the right color. The Crystal Braid has a nice kind of luminescent look. But, it really wants to unbraid. In the large stripes with it, no big deal, as I knot the starting end before burying the anchor (and later snip it off), and it was big stitches - lots of Thread Heaven, constant tension - all pretty good. But, for these littler stitches- turns out I really had to stick with short lengths, and the darn stuff wants to crimp up. Plus, it was almost impossible to actually get into the correct holes to stay on a straight diagonal line - I actually had to flip the piece frequently - to check placement, or find it. And redid more stitches than I've ever had to. Argh. Also, I've definitely gone to the technique of leaving about an inch of tail after finishing and burying - which I then go back and carefully (with paper towel under) apply Fray check with a Q-tip onto the tail, let dry, and then snip short. I've done this with the Petite Sparkle Rays as well - works great, keeps the stuff from unravelling further, and no knots or lumps on the back.
Final big rant - the metallic Jessicas in the squares are Gold Rush 14. Great lavender/silver color. This is a chain-knit thread with metallic woven in. Normally - short lengths, stretch it, work with tension, and you're okay. But, for the Jessicas - which really should be done with one length - I had to use about a 28" length. So, let's see - I wasted one 1/4 done, the next 3/4 done - the chain somehow undid, I cursed. The 3rd time - finally - got it anchored and started. Also - I switched from a 22 petite needle to a size 20. Seems big, but that's the key - not to make the hole bigger for the thread - the 22 was enough - but the eye on the 22 & 22 petite was a bit too grabby for the Gold Rush. It felt like stitching with a log, but, oh, well. The Jessica's all got done. So, if you ever use this stuff - which has a specific look - remember to be careful with the needle eye. Plus, I really had to keep tension with the 2nd hand all the time.
Rant over. It may be a long, long time before I use crystal braid again!
Ellice