I guess I'm basically a monogamous stitcher after all--when a major project captures my attention, I tend to let the less important pieces fall by the wayside. But I picked up my little square again yesterday, to try out another stitch new to me.
At top left is the diagonal triple Parisian stitch, worked with DMC #5 perle cotton #211. The length of the name makes the stitch sound complicated, but it really isn't--just three slanted stitches four canvas threads high, alternating with three slanted stitches two threads high. The scale of the stitch is larger than the others I've tried out so far, and I think I may actually have a use for it in the types of painted canvases I tend to stitch.
I started filling in the double cross framework in the center section of the canvas. As diagrammed, the center of this stitch calls for an upright cross stitch. Using four plies of DMC floss #208, the upright cross didn't cover the area sufficiently, and "dandruff," or little white specks showing through, was the last thing I wanted to see! So I switched to Smyrna crosses as the filler stitch.
The filler for the Ashley stitch in the right panel calls for eight individual tent stitches, which I personally thought too fussy and time-consuming. So I took a tip from a blog reader's comment and used more Smyrna crosses to fill the centers.
What have I learned so far? I've tried out the mechanics of two new stitches--double cross and Ashley. I doubt I'll have occasion to use the latter stitch, as it's quite delicate. But I can see a future for the double cross stitch: working the framework on top of a previously-stitched area for a little surface embellishment. I have a rather large angel canvas in my stash, which might work up quite nicely with Petite Very Velvet as the background of the angel's dress and Kreinik #4 very fine braid used to stitch the framework of the double stitch on top.
3 comments:
What are you planning to do with your finished project? I can see it as the front of a leather tote bag or appliqued to a tote. Love the combination of colors and stitches you have selected.
I'm not going to finish it, Mary Agnes. Filling in all those little "blanks" with endless Smyrna crosses would be a waste of my time. I do intend to finish off the unstitched areas, though, with more stitches I'd like to audition for future projects. Guess it's more of an exercise in what stitches I can use going forward and what I can't.
Anne, I'm trying to email you to no avail. Could you please email me so I can respond? Thanks, Mary Agnes
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