Mary Wigham, Stitching

Hello!

I have been working a little more diligently on the Mary Wigham sampler.  First I have a few comments to say on the sampler itself.  I got the chart free from Needleprint.  I thank Needleprint as I really liked the sampler the moment I saw it.  The only photo of it though was just a small photo on the web site.  You did not get a photo of the completed sampler when you downloaded the chart.

I found what appeared to be errors in alot of the motifs on the chart.  After correcting 2 or 3 errors and coming across more, I realized that the errors may just be how Mary Wigham stitched her sampler so I did not make any more corrections.  It would be nice though to have a full photo of the sampler to see how it was stitched but I guess there are fears that someone else may copy out the chart from the photo and sell it.

In any case, there are errors but I left them in.  I think I am about two-thirds done.

Before I took it off the Q-snaps to photograph it, I had to laugh.  I start a new motif, or a motif within the motif, with a "waste-knot".  There are a ton of examples on how to do a waste knot if you "Bing" it or "Google" "waste knot".   I think the proper way to do a waste knot is to put it in so that it lays in the direction you will be stitching so that as you stitch, you stitch over the waste knot thread, if that makes sense.  In any case, I make my waste knots away from my stitching, allowing for lots of thread to thread my needle when I am ready to stitch it in and when I am in the mood for tucking them all in, I do a bunch at once. If  I take care of the waste knot while stitching each motif, I am in a hurry and make a mess of them.

A photo of my waste knots on my stitching.

The stand I use to hold my Q-snap, is something the husband of a friend of mine made for me.  It works wonderfully and holds the stitching very well.  I can use the stand as a table topper, and yes, it does swivel backwards and forwards.  The wooden part that sits on the table top can also be put under your leg so that you can stitch while sitting in a chair or recliner.  The side bar extends upwards a fair amount to bring the stitching up. To hold the extra fabric at the top and sides, I purchased some inexpensive hair clips from the dollar store.  The hair clip also holds my pattern as I stitch.  The needle minder in the upper right sits on my fabric and was something I made following instructions in a Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine.

And I don't mind at all showing what the back looked like before I hid the waste knots.

One thing I noticed though is how I end my thread.  I believe "they" say to just stitch it under a few threads on the back of your work and that's it!  Well, I have a real phobia about the "few threads" part.  I tend to weave the end of my thread almost through the entire motif to make sure it is securely fastened!  I'm sure that in a gazillion years from now, future Archeologists will be unearthing these strange things from the ground.  Fabric long disintegrated, but these masses of woven threads all bundled together!  What a puzzle that will create for them!

I am really looking forward to completing the Mary Wigham sampler though.  It is becoming not so fun, though I admit when sitting with it every day, now that the weather has cooled, it is going quickly.  Even though I have a million projects on the go, I am thinking of seriously started the 16 Square Pulled Thread Sampler from Kathrin's Blog (from Gitta).    And yes, I am only behind about 30 stitches in Sharon's TAST.    Oh dear!  Anyone have anymore lifetime's out there!!!???

In the meantime, some of my stitching and felting has won a few ribbons at our yearly fair.

I forgot to post how I finished off "The Pebble".  The instructions said to do a ladder stitch to join the front with the back.  Having never done this stitch before, I knew it needed a bit of practicing when I saw the instructions for it.  First of all, it is a horrible stitch!!!  LOL...   secondly, it just didn't work for this piece.  I had to take such small stitches, and it was not easy working around the bulk of the front and the back.  The needle just didn't get to where it needed to be to do the stitch, so I did a very basic "I can't remember at the moment what it is called" stitch!

And also, my first piece every completed in Sharon's online "Sumptuous Surfaces Embroidery" class.

Finally, the Three Sheep won as well.

Well, that's it for me!   Blueberries are well on their way here on the island.  I am going into town to see if my 10 pound box is in yet!

Don't forget the ladies at the "Deli" above right!  Judy Cooper is back from vacation and has shared an amazing list of blogs with us!

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep. - Scott Adams

Off to make mistakes!

Enjoy!