It’s three weeks since I posted about my stumpwork and ribbon embroidery and I’m pleased to say I’ve made pretty good progress. It probably helped that this is one of my favourite diamonds in the embroidery! This is where I was three weeks ago…
This block is nearly all ‘proper’ embroidery, as opposed to silk ribbon work. It takes a lot longer but I find I enjoy the embroidery part more, it may just be a confidence thing, silk ribbon embroidery is still a very new technique to me. There’s lots of new stitches and techniques with the stumpwork but somehow I find it easier.
The pergola was stitched with raised stem stitch, which is basically like weaving stem stitch across a framework of threads. The next bit to stitch was the leaves and the stems of the wisteria, these were stitched with stem stitch and fly stitch for the leaves.
I must have stitched hundreds of french knots over the last few weeks, between the hydrangeas, wisteria and other projects! The instructions called for a dusky pink and a light violet colour, I decided to just use one variegated DMC thread, I chose 4220 which has light shades of purple and blue with a bit of white. I tried to avoid the white where possible or buried it under some blue ones so it just gave a little highlight.
The final part to stitch on this diamond was the silk ribbon leaves. I didn’t have quite the right colour so I dyed some with my silk paints. I find it easier if I test it on a sheet of kitchen roll first as it looks so dark in the palette. I added a drop of blue to get the sage green, I’m really pleased with this one. The leaves were all meant to be stitched with lazy-daisy stitch to add fullness. I used it for the central ones, but I just did the simple ribbon stitch for the outer ones, it looks fine and it uses alot less ribbon!! So this is my wisteria block completed..
I’ve just started the next block which is red hot pokers, arum lilies and a natal lily. I start with the red hot pokers which are stitched with ribbon. I didn’t have quite the right colours so whilst I was doing the green, I also dyed a couple of shades of orange, one of them is overdyed on a light orange ribbon which gives a nice space-dyed effect.
The stems are made with cake decorating wire, luckily I’ve got green wire so I don’t have to be too precice with coverage. The wires are couched down and then the whole wire is over-cast with DMC thread.
The flowers of the red hot pokers are stitched with loop stitches, I’ve not seen these before but they are basically a row of tiny stitches formed over a big needle. Three size 26 needles are needed, one to stitch with, one to stitch over, and one to hold in place the row before.
I’m not sure about these, they look a bit too regimented to me, there is the suggestion of cutting some of the loops with fine stitches, I’m not sure I have the courage to do that, it’s too easy to pull them out, maybe I’ll have a think right at the end.
Here is my Flower Lattice so far, I’m over half way now!
The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed a needle keeper on my embroidery. I only heard of them last month and I spotted this one on Etsy,being quite in the mood for rabbits with my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt I couldn’t resist it. I bought a thread holder to match as well. It turns out they are made in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, so not too far away. So far I’ve found it very useful, I’ve not lost my needle since!!
There’s quite a few of us taking part in the Stitch-a-long, so why not have a look what everyone else is stitching, just follow the links to see some stunning projects;
Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy and Avis
Everyone is in different time scales, so if there isn’t a post when you first look, check later in the day. If you fancy joining us for the SAL, just send a message to Avis.
thecraftycreek 
The hydrangea and wisteria one is definitely my favourite, with those lovely plump pompoms of french knots, but to be honest, I love all the diamonds, they’re so visually and texturally rich and lush!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate, I think the more diamonds I do, the more the colours are settling down together 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been fascinated with this since the beginning. So many new techniques and I look forward to each update. Close up, the stitches are quite incredible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’m learning lots of new stitches!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this project! I wouldn’t be cutting anything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cathie, I don’t think I’ll be cutting anything either !!
LikeLike
It looks amazing, I might have to give ribbon embroidery a go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lucy, silk ribbon is lovely to use and quick to get good results, try it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
the wysteria look so realistic! I think that’s my favourite suqare too!
and love your bunny thread keeper!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Claire, I couldn’t resist the bunnies 🙂
LikeLike
It’s awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Fantastic! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jules 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad you are doing this piece so we can watch! This diamond is spectacular!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kathy, this one is definitely my favourite diamond!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so amazed everytime I see this piece. It is so beautiful and your work is so precise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it’s been a steep learning curve!
LikeLike
Every design gets even better than the last. It’s simply superb!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, just beautiful! I love your wisteria. I’ve never done much (as in any!) ribbon embroidery, and I’m enjoying watching you stitch this great little design up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Catherine, I think the wisteria works well with the french knots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are some fantastic projects being worked in this SAL but this has to be my favourite. When SAL time comes around, I cannot wait to see what is new this time. My wisteria in the garden is just having its second round of flowers, a little early this year as they are usually out for my birthday at the beginning of August.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for such a lovely comment! I’d love a wisteria in my garden
LikeLike
I love the stitching of your wisteria and pergola. The texture looks amazing! Your new needle minder is so beautiful! I love the colors and shape. Needle minders are the best…so many times I spent searching the carpet for my lost needle before, lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Christina, I bought it after spending ages one evening trying to find my last cross-stitch needle on the floor!!
LikeLike
At the hardware store I saw a large magnet on a long stick, probably for finding nails around one’s property, but I thought that might be a good tool for stitchers 😁
LikeLike
That pergola is amazing as is the wisteria on it. It looks incredible. I really love this project ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Carole, I’m enjoying stitching it
LikeLike
This project is just beautiful! It’s a real pleasure to watch it grow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sarah, I’m making good progress now 🙂
LikeLike
Love the hydrangeas
LikeLike
So many French knots!!! It s looking great! I guess it is fun to learn all those ways of stitching!
LikeLike