The May Needlecase

Continuing on with my intention to work a needlecase each month, I feel quite chuffed that it's not yet the middle of May and I've got something to offer.

This was always going to be machine embroidery, but I hadn't decided whether I'd do digitized embroidery by way of my Bernina embroidery unit, or go again with some freehand machine work and mixed media/textiles. In the interests of time, and a small challenge by a very nice lady on a forum I visit, I decided to dust off the embroidery unit and swallow hard.

I just don't like this type of embroidery, or should I say I don't like DOING this type of embroidery, but I did want to try this card, as it was purchased on a throw out sale about two years ago, and not once had it been out of the packet.

The colours chosen for the embroidery were my own, differing from those given in the enclosed chart, as I wanted to use the lining fabric [and needed to have the colours matching obviously]. I just love the fabric, probably because there is a tiny hint of gold in it.

I'm happy with this effort. There is a monogrammed initial on the back, but it's just that, an initial, so no need to bother taking up space with yet another photograph. I seem to be going for red a bit, having two, and we haven't hit the half way point yet............... I am equally chuffed because I used what I had in my stash, which I hope to continue to do as I go along. Onward to June!!!

Coloured Blackwork

Last year I decided I'd try my hand at designing my own piece of blackwork. I wanted to break with the traditional black on white colourscheme, because of the subject matter of the design. I have loved the Japanese Noshi design for a long time now, having done this in needleturn applique from a pattern I purchased from the store Abundia in Brisbane. I wanted this needleworked noshi to be a sister decorator item for the appliqued noshi.

Most of the threads used were in my stash, and are a variety of brands and fibres, ie some stranded silk, stranded cottons and a tiny bit of goldwork wire for couching.

I thoroughly enjoyed this process, and despite not yet having this piece framed suitably, I like it. It's not the brightest piece of embroidery I've done, but for it's intended purpose I feel confident that when it's framed, it will suit the decor.

April

Well, April is over for us here in Australia, but I might just sneak this in with Blogger, so here is April in all it's glory, done.

This is what I have come to know as Altered Photo Artistry. I took this photo in my garden, then altered it slightly with PhotoShop. It was then printed onto Inkjet Printable Silk fabric. After stabilizing with fusible vilene, pellon and shapewell, I machine stippled in what I hope are the right places.

The dark avocado green dupion seemed to be a nice frame for the photo, and again, this is a technique that I have learnt a lot from doing.

Onwards now to May and possibly machine embroidery of the digitized kind........

March

By the time March had started I was becoming a little more aware of the enormity of this challenge. I really felt I would like to do some canvas stitching, as it had been quite a long time since I'd done any type of this at all.

I chose what is known as Milanese Stitch, again from my Mary Thomas' Dictionary of Stitches book. It's a simple offset arrowhead stitch that looks a little like tweed if it's done in two colours. I chose these colours simply because I had quite a bit of the DMC #5 Perlé required, and as this was turning out to be a long term project, I hoped to use some of what I already had.

I am endeavouring to keep making the needlebooks/cases in slightly different designs, so as not to get bogged down with just the book format. This one is a three-fold design, with a silky cream cord stitched to the outer edge, and again used for the closing ties.

Again, I'm really thrilled with this, but it took much more time than I first thought, and I will think long and hard before embarking on canvaswork again this year.........

February

As February loomed, and I was still full of enthusiasm, but not so for counted work, I decided to take the easy option and go for a freestyle stitch, this time choosing Fly Stitch. Some years ago I was required to stitch something using only this stitch, and decided to replicate it for this purpose.

I've used only fly stitch and several different types of threads. Again, I felt a Japanese styled print was suitable as a lining, and again, I'm really happy with my results. I love the rich red colour and the use of just a bit of metallic thread in the stitching helps lift the design.

January

Now, how difficult could it be to find a stitch or technique beginning with the letter J?? I can tell you, it's not that easy. I searched the Mary Thomas' Dictionary of Stitches and came up with some possiblities, but had to keep in mind that I have June and July yet............

I decided to go with a counted thread stitch called Japanese Darning. It's a relatively simple stitch, but I preferred not to have it going straight up/down/across, so tacked my template out onto the beige evenweave on a 45° angle, and now I'm so pleased I did. After the stitching was complete, I searched my stash for something suitable as a lining fabric, and found this simple Japanese inspired print. I am extremely happy with this small needlebook.

The Twenty/Ten Needlebook Challenge

At the beginning of 2010, a few friends and I were discussing how we might keep ourselves 'stitchingly' motivated for the year, feeling a little flat after Christmas. A few of us decided we might like to try making needlebooks for each month of the year, hence the start of the 12 needlebooks in 12 months. I have managed to keep up to date so far, taking my 'cue' by using a stitch or technique starting with the same letter as each month. I shall endeavour to chronicle each in turn. I do hope you find this needlebook adventure a bit of fun.