Final touches on the Zellig tile

With only the center section to go, it took very little time to finish stitching Jan Fitzpatrick's Zellig tile design!

The third and lightest shade of red in the "arrows" and center medallion were stitched with DMC floss #304; the "starburst" was worked with DMC floss #823. With the exception of the brown inner framework, stitched in basketweave, all of the design was executed with mosaic stitches to imitate the look of a mosaic tile.

It's my personal opinion that one of the tests of a good design is its ability to transcend the boundaries of color choices--Jan's design does just that. I chose bold colors, whereas the definitive version Jan is stitching has a much more delicate color palette. Each version works, depending on your taste and color scheme, and the classic lines of the design would fit in well with virtually any decorating style.

Thanks, Jan, for the opportunity to stitch this one--it was great fun! Now I can sit back and watch Jan's interpretation at www.threadmedley.wordpress.com.

On the home stretch

With the addition of DMC floss #434 in basketweave for the brown inner framework, the design of the Zellig tile is really coming to life!

I also finished the ivory background, using mosaic stitches with a little bit of compensating. I then added the "arrow" motif at 2, 4, 8 and 10 o'clock with DMC floss #815.

Only two more colors to go! I'll use the lightest shade of red for the remaining "arrows" and the center section, and navy for the "starburst." I should be able to wrap up this project tomorrow!

More Zellig tile progress

I've finished the gold framework and filled in the remaining sections of deep red and medium blue-- now this piece definitely looks like a tile!

To treat myself, I added the "floating triangles," using DMC floss #322 in mosaic stitch. Four colors are now finished; five more colors, including the ivory background that's almost completed, remain.

Next up: the inner brown framework! I'll need to deviate from mosaic stitches in this area. Because of the number of threads I allotted, one half of the design would actually look like basketweave if I were to compensate mosaic stitches, so I've decided to give up gracefully and do basketweave stitches throughout. Would you believe micro-mosaic?

Working clockwise

Stitching merrily away with the gold floss, I finished the framework of the third quadrant on the Zellig tile design.

After filling in the deep red and medium blue sections in this area, it was time to celebrate with a new thread for the background: DMC floss #822, an ivory shade. To remain consistent with mosaic stitches, it was necessary to move the blue "floating triangles" over and down one thread before stitching the background.

Once I finish the gold framework, it will be decision time on how to stitch the brown inner framework.

A bit more color

As usual--for me, anyway--I'm dangling a carrot in front of the horse as I stitch away on the Zellig tile design by Jan Fitzpatrick.

When I finished stitching a little more of the framework, I treated myself by adding another color: DMC floss #311, the middle value of the three blues I'll be using in this piece.

No more color for me, though, until I finish another quadrant of the gold framework! But even at this point, it's starting to get exciting--it actually is beginning to look like a tile.

Establishing a framework

My version of Jan Fitzpatrick's Zellig tile is very different from hers in terms of color: Jan's palette looks like a breath of spring, with soft greens and tans on a marbled canvas, whereas I'm using the jewel tones of an oriental rug.

I started stitching the framework using DMC floss #729--what I'd call an "old gold." To imitate the look of a mosaic tile, both Jan and I are using mosaic stitches as much as possible, and so far, so good!

When I finished up the first skein of gold floss, I treated myself to filling in a little--DMC floss #814, a deep burgundy which will be the darkest shade of red out of three. And I'm happy to report that so far, anyway, all the mosaic stitches are lining up nicely!

Do go visit Jan's blog (www.threadmedley.wordpress.com) to see how dramatically different a design can look in another colorway.

From mini-sock to Moroccan tile

My little sock was finished in practically no time at all! I followed through with the floral motif, using DMC floss #962 and #3716 for the pink centers. The only real decision involved how to stitch the square at the very center: mosaic stitch or French knots? I concluded French knots might be a little "fussy"--and I am not a "fussy" person--so stayed with the mosaic stitch. I'm happy with the result--the colors remind me a bit of coffee and French vanilla ice cream, my favorites!

Having practiced my mosaic stitches, I can move on to my next project: a Zellig mosaic tile adapted for needlepoint by Jan Fitzpatrick, who has done extensive research into Moroccan culture and crafts after living there for several years. Jan's rugs are magnificent--do go visit her at www.threadmedley.wordpress.com. She's currently showing the pattern for the Zellig tile in the colorway she'll be using for her version.

When I first approached Jan for her permission to blog-stitch this piece, I thought I would rotate it one-quarter turn to make a Christmas ornament for myself. Then I read Jan's post about her using as many mosaic stitches as possible to mimic the look of a real mosaic tile, and I realized I wouldn't be able to do that with a diamond shape. I found the perfect home for the finished piece--a Sudberry House "Laura's box" in a mahogany finish--so will work the project as Jan originally intended but in colors very different from hers.

Being the painted canvas person that I am, I had to mark the canvas first! This took a fair amount of counting, and I may need to adjust the positioning of smaller elements as I stitch, but I'm basically good to go. As you can see, the canvas is marked, not a full paint job--it's just for me and I'd much rather spend the time stitching!