Reticello Piece

Yesterday I started the little reticello piece by Casa Erba.  I am really enjoying this technique.  It is very similar to Ruskin Lace, but I think it is prettier and more delicate looking.  To start, I chose a linen.  The tutorial calls for a 38 count, but I only had a 36 or 40 count.  I went with a 36 count Edinburgh by Zwiegart in Cream. 

I cut a square of linen approx. 7.5 inches by 7.5 inches, and then zigzag stitched the edges to prevent fraying. 

 I also added basting stitches to mark the horizontal and vertical centers of the linen.  The tutorial doesn't instruct it, but it's become a habit, and basting did help me when it came time to withdraw threads.

To baste, first I folded the linen in half one way, and then the other.  I threaded my needle with a bright colored thread, and stuck the needle through the center hole.  I left a long tail so that I could use this end to stitch the other direction.

Then it was time for the fun stuff!  The tutorial also called for Pearl Cotton in sizes 8 and 12.  I picked a pretty rose pink by DMC.  I also gathered an embroidery hoop, a size 26 tapestry needle, size 8 embroidery needle, pins ( to help count threads), embroidery scissors and a milliner's needle (for the bullion stitches.)

The tutorial starts with a Punto Quadro stitch (also known as a square stitch or 4 sided stitch)  There are gif demonstrations that the tutorial uses to show how the stitch is executed.  At the corners of the square motif, there are groupings of 4 square stitches that are also demonstrated by gif demonstration.  After having to wait for it to loop around a few times to be able to follow it, I finally had the great idea to just screen shot the steps so I could follow it at my own pace. . . I wish I had done that from the beginning as it would have saved me 20 minutes.  lol

There are also Bullion stitches that cover the corner square stitches.  They are very pretty and remind me of little pink blossoms.

It's a great tutorial that I am really enjoying it.  I am definitely going to be buying some Reticello books in the near future.  :-)  

Well, it's about time to make dinner.  I hope you all enjoyed your day. . .

'Til Tomorrow

Happy Stitches!  

Blog Giveaways and Schwalm Sampler Update

After writing about Organization and Storage yesterday, it prompted me look through my supplies, as well as through past projects.  I have quite a few pieces of tatted silk jewelry remaining in my inventory.  I love tatting silk jewelry, but sadly I don't really wear jewelry. lol

So I thought, why not try and find some of these things a new home where they might be worn, or gifted, or maybe even passed down to daughters and granddaughters.  The next few weeks, I will be hosting Blog Giveaways for the following pieces:

This tatted silk cuff was created using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk thread in Subtle Elegance.  It is a gorgeous, gently variegated cream/ivory silk thread.  It is adorned with opal silver lined size 11 delica seed beads, and has a gold plated lobster claw clasp.

This tatted bracelet was also made using Valdani Pearl Silk thread in color wheat husk.  It is a subtly variegated thread using cream, beige and gold colors.  It also has 3mm cream rose Swarvoski crystal pearls throughout the bracelet, and rainbow lined gold czech glass seed beads, and a gold plated lobster claw clasp.

This Irish Crochet bracelet, is also silk.  The rose was crocheted using Purely Silk thread in Ecru, and the leaves were made using Valdani Pearl silk in Herb Garden.  The rose and the buttons (rings) are decorated with rose gold colored delica seed beads in size 11.  It also has a rose gold plated clasp.

 

And last, but not least this tatted pendant, which is also silk.  I used Valdani Luxury Pearl silk in a forest green color to tat layers of ruffles around the center piece which is a circle pendant comprised of white freshwater pearls and 4mm Swarvoski bicones.  The tatted ruffles are also adorned with 4mm Swarvoski bicones.

Now the rules for the giveaways will be simple.  Just become a member or follower of this blog, and leave a comment on the day of the giveaway.  I will write down the name of all entries, fold them and put them into a hat, and have my 7 year old pick the winner.  I will contact the winner, and put their goodies in the mail.  :)  I plan on hosting the first giveaway in the next day or two.  Hopefully, these pieces will find the home and owners they are meant for.  

Even with the inventory check (and Easter Egg hunting), I managed to get some needlework done.  I finished the Square Section of the Schwalm Sampler, and got a little more done on the handkerchief border.  Here are some photos of the Schwalm Sampler:

 For the left and right square, I left 6 fabric threads and removed the 7th both warp and weft.  The first square is decorated with kloister blocks similar to those in Hardanger. 

For the center square, I carefully removed all fabric threads. . . I just purchased a brand new pair of embroidery scissors, that I plan to use solely for removing and cutting small pieces of fabric.  This way I make certain the blades stay nice and sharp.  I prefer to remove all the horizontal threads first, then I cut the vertical threads.  I find I get a nicer edge when I do it this way, with minimal tufts of threads sticking out of the stitches.

I really enjoyed this square as it reminds of Reticello, which I have been wanting to try for awhile now.  After the fabric was removed, I layed 2 threads vertically, and needle weaved between them.  This part was simple for me, because there is quite a bit of needle weaving in Romanian Point Lace.

Then I layed 2 horizontal threads and repeated the needle weaving.  Passing my needle through the back of the buttonhole stitches, I layed three threads in the little quarter squares and needle weaved between those to get this:

The last part of this section were a few coral stitch tendrils, and it was done.

Today I plan on working the handkerchief border.  I did decide that I am going to make another small piece of lace to put in the center of the fabric.  I will look through the Aemilia Ars patterns that I have, and decide on a motif later today.

What projects or ideas do you have swirling around in your head?  It always seems as if there a too many projects, and not enough time doesn't it?

Well, it's time to make my girls lunch, and then after that, perhaps, I will have some time for a little needle work.  If you like, fill out the poll on what my next project should be.  I hope you all have a wonderful day, and don't forget to check back for the blog giveaways!

Happy Stitches!

Aemilia Ars and Schwalm Embroidery Progress

Yesterday I managed to complete one side of the Handkerchief Border, and start the next section of the Schwalm Sampler I've been working on.  Let's start with the needle lace, shall we?

So the second side began with a row of Punto Chiaro stitches. . . these are small stitches that add a tiny bit of height to the row, and I place them every third stitch.  Then I layed 2 threads for what I refer to as the "traveling buttonhole stitches" because they are what gets me to next trio of leaves (or bread loaves as I have seen them called before) and arch.

First I lay the foundation threads for the first two "loaves".  Then I execute the first row of buttonhole stitches.

Then the second row of buttonhole stitches.  After the second row is completed, I slip the needle and thread under the support stitch to work the other side of the "loaf".

 After the loaf is completed I travel to the tip of the loaf to complete the picot.  

  

Next it is time to work the overcast connecting bar.

I continue to the "stem" of the leaf, and cover it with overcast stitches.  And then I can complete the last leaf or loaf.

I will probably finish the border in a couple of days, and since I realistically know that this will never be used as a handkerchief (the linen is not soft enough for someone's nose lol), I am thinking of making another piece of needle lace to put in the center. . .or perhaps  add some drawn thread work to it?  What do you think?

And speaking of Drawn Thread Work, here are some photos of the little fly stitch and chain rosebuds which complete the band I shared with you yesterday.

The next section of the sampler are three sqaures.  The center square is outlined in buttonhole stitches, and the two outer squares are traditional Schwalm Embroidery (outlined first with a chain stitch, and then coral stitch)  Before I started the squares, I layed basting threads.  It actually saves a lot of time, in that you know exactly where to place your stitches, and won't have to take out stitches because your square is uneven, or is actually a rectangle.  lol

Since my needle lace project will soon be complete, I'd like to start planning my next one.  There are a couple of Reticello (Punto Antico) tutorials online, that I would love to try. . . or maybe some Hardanger, or Romanian Point Lace.  What would you like to see?

I hope you are all having a wonderful day, and I hope to see you back here tomorrow!

Happy Easter and Happy Stitches!

Been a Busy Stitching Bee

I accomplished quite a bit of needle work yesterday and today!  I worked on the Aemila Ars Handkerchief border, crocheted a couple of Irish Crochet motifs for a capelet I'm working on for my eldest daughter, and even managed to finish a band on the Schwalm Sampler I've been working on.  The needle lace border is coming along quite nicely.

Before I could start the little leaves on the border, I layed 2 threads (using the support stitches to hold them in place) around the fabric, and proceeded to buttonhole stitch over the threads and edge of the fabric.

 After the buttonhole stitches, I completed a row of Punto Chiaro stitches.  Then I began working the leaves. 

The leaves are made in rows of Punto Smerlo or buttonhole stitches, first a row of 7, then a row of 5, and repeated on the other side of the leaf.  Picots are one of the hardest elements of needle lace, IMHO, but after watching the Aemilia Ars video, they have become simpler to make.  In this particular piece, I wrap the needle four times for the picots.

I do find the overcast bars a bit difficult, because they are made over only one thread, but a little care and patience ensures a neat bar.  As you can see from the photos, the arches are small compared to the leaves, and have a picot in the middle.  These are comprised of 7 buttonhole stitches, a picot, then 7 more buttonhole stitches.

I really like using this particular thread. . . Fincrochet is a soft thread, and I find it doesn't tangle as much compared to DMC Cordonnet Special.  I will have to make more needle lace using this thread.

As I mentioned before, I also managed to work a bit on my Schwalm Embroidery sampler.  I chose a 32 count Belfast Linen in cream for the sampler.  I am a beginner in this technique so a lower count linen is easier to learn on.  I am really enjoying learning this technique as it has all sorts of needle work elements incorporated into it, such as drawn thread work, pulled thread work and a bit of needle lace as well.  

For the threads, I am using DMC coton a broder in sizes 16 and 20, color Ecru and DMC Pearl  Cotton, sizes 8 and 12, also in Ecru.  The sampler I am working on is from a book by Christine Bishop.  It has lots of patterns and projects in it, though I do admit, I find the technique instruction lacking a bit. .  . luckily I have google to fill in the blanks!  lol  However, if you are familiar with the above mentioned techniques, then this book would be easy to follow.  I, however, just started learning drawn thread and pulled thread work less than a month ago.

For this band I withdrew 18 horizontal threads and used a satin stitch for a decorative edge.  Then I grouped the remaining threads into 64 sections of 3, securing them both on the top and bottom.  Then I used what I believe is called a Twisted Border stitch.  I really like the result of this technique. 

There are also little Fly Stitch and Chain rosebuds embroidered along the edge of the band, which I will share with you all tomorrow.  Also, I'll try and get some photos of the Irish Crochet I've been working on.  

Well, back to my needlework.  'Til tomorrow, Happy Stitches!