Embroidery Progress, 4th Quarter
I've been busy with other ideas, and then got sick earlier this week, so it took a bit longer to finish off the last bit of Quarter Four motifs (except the "fingers"). But I finally got that little last leaf done, enough where I can share the final overview pics. I wasn't sure if folks wanted to see each and every motif (all in long & short stitch), and as I am still fighting the cough and am tired, I will just do overview pics (didn't I just say that?).
Quarter 4 Progress
About 24.15 hours on this section, including the leaf on the bottom left, but not the gillyflower. Here is a pomegranate, a fall leaf, another leaf, a flower bud, an upside down columbine, and another leaf.
Back View of Quarter 4
Trying to keep it neat within each motif, but I do jump around some. Most of that should get covered by the goldwork stitches.
Overall Progress
The photo was taken of the project upside down. Approx. 96 hours of work so far on the whole thing. Size about 6.5" x 8.5". Most major motifs done but the heraldic center, the "fingers", and of course the goldwork and pearls.
I'm trying to get my stitches longer than I was doing at the beginning, so I sometime went with blending two colors instead of trying to stuff in three. For the most part this is working better, and I think it looks nicer overall. It does mean thinking more about the color choices. This worked just fine for the pom, but the columbine - not sure really - that's an odd flower to work up in this style, so I leaned heavily on the original's coloring pattern.
I am not sure what portion I'm going to work on next. The fingers will be done in a different, flat silk, which I will either keep flat, or attempt a simple twist with it. I bought an assortment package of Kreinik's Platte silk (all discontinued color numbers) from Hedgehog while at CoCo, and it makes me nervous of the idea working with really flat silk. I'll need to work on softening my hands before I work with it (using the salt/olive oil mix).
The center portion also may be next, which will require fiddling with a bit of applique and a test run on the goldwork. I may work the motif on a separate hoop then applique that down. Not sure. Will need to ponder some more, so I'll hold off on this for now.
Otherwise, I really need to do some sewing, some blackwork embroidery and some research, as I'm behind schedule from my illness, so this project will be on hold for awhile. I do need a change of pace. I can at least feel a sense of completeness at this point in the project.
Quarter 4 Progress
About 24.15 hours on this section, including the leaf on the bottom left, but not the gillyflower. Here is a pomegranate, a fall leaf, another leaf, a flower bud, an upside down columbine, and another leaf.
Back View of Quarter 4
Trying to keep it neat within each motif, but I do jump around some. Most of that should get covered by the goldwork stitches.
Overall Progress
The photo was taken of the project upside down. Approx. 96 hours of work so far on the whole thing. Size about 6.5" x 8.5". Most major motifs done but the heraldic center, the "fingers", and of course the goldwork and pearls.
I'm trying to get my stitches longer than I was doing at the beginning, so I sometime went with blending two colors instead of trying to stuff in three. For the most part this is working better, and I think it looks nicer overall. It does mean thinking more about the color choices. This worked just fine for the pom, but the columbine - not sure really - that's an odd flower to work up in this style, so I leaned heavily on the original's coloring pattern.
I am not sure what portion I'm going to work on next. The fingers will be done in a different, flat silk, which I will either keep flat, or attempt a simple twist with it. I bought an assortment package of Kreinik's Platte silk (all discontinued color numbers) from Hedgehog while at CoCo, and it makes me nervous of the idea working with really flat silk. I'll need to work on softening my hands before I work with it (using the salt/olive oil mix).
The center portion also may be next, which will require fiddling with a bit of applique and a test run on the goldwork. I may work the motif on a separate hoop then applique that down. Not sure. Will need to ponder some more, so I'll hold off on this for now.
Otherwise, I really need to do some sewing, some blackwork embroidery and some research, as I'm behind schedule from my illness, so this project will be on hold for awhile. I do need a change of pace. I can at least feel a sense of completeness at this point in the project.