Elegant Cats by Mabel Figworthy Finished & Framed 7/24/19

[Mabel Figworthy]

That outline is beautifully even and I'm not even going to try and spot any error

Thank you for the offer of the needles, but I'm terribly fussy and have a favourite brand of which I have enough now to last me several decades. Perhaps there is someone else on the forum who would like to try then, or perhaps a stitching/sewing/quilting club near you who could use them?

As for threading, I have some lovely micro-needle threaders for beading needles which work a treat when needed, but mostly I use a "trick" (or a technique, really) I was taught at some of the RSN day classes: bring the needle to the thread, not the thread to the needle. On FoF I described it as follows:

"Hold the very end of the thread between thumb and index finger, open up so that the end of the thread is just visible, then bring the needle’s eye towards the thread between your fingers, so that the eye of the needle is the only place that the thread can go when you open up your fingers further. It’s not easy to describe in words only but I hope it gives you the general idea."

[Serinde]

Your cat is going to be totally elegant, I can tell. And I won't be looking for mistakes, either. Life is way, way too short for that.

As for a next SAL.... well, you might want to have a look here

Me! Memememe!

[rcperryls]

Managed to get the face done yesterday. Not much of an update, but it is some. It's a bit off and I haven't decided if I'm going to try to redo it yet. It does give her (I'm sure its a her) a kind of quirky look so I might keep it.



Thanks for looking
Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

She's got definite personality!

[karen4bells]

Looking really good!! Love the attitude!!

[Squirrel]

That look is perfect Mabel. It says to me "look at me I am beautiful"

[Mabel Figworthy]

That look is perfect Mabel. It says to me "look at me I am beautiful"

All Carole's work, Sally

[wendywombat]

well done Carole!
I think you are doing a fantastic job with this!!

[HannahM]

the elegant cats design

[poppy]

Lovely update, Carole!

[rcperryls]

The white patch in the middle is finished. Took much longer than I expected but using a single strand took a lot of chain stitches to fill in that patch. Also took a longer time to stitch because I go back and forth to Rosey's room spending time with her. ( I haven't tried stitching with her, but am considering some smaller projects that won't require as many different colors as my HAEDs. Update on her progress also coming). I really am enjoying this and am looking forward to the upcoming SAL. Next update after I finish this kitty.



Thanks for looking

Carole

[wendywombat]

I have this pattern, and I Really Must do this!

You are making a really fine job of this... and sounds like you're not neglecting Rosey either!
I bet she'll love watching you stitch!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Good texture in the white "bib" - and glad to hear Rosey is getting enough attention.

(Miss Lexi was slightly put out because the sofa had disappeared - it's being re-upholstered - and been replaced by a garden bench with lots of cushions and a throw. She is now in the process of re-furr-bishing the throw by squiggling around on it getting petted.)

[rcperryls]

Wendy,I think you should start this one right away! We can turn this thread into a SAL thread, getting ready for Mabel's SAL to come. I forgot how much I loved surface embroidery, which decades ago, was my first journey into needlecraft. I do admit, my fingers are itching to get back to my HAEDs, but I don't think I want to stop stitching these designs either. What a perfectly lovely dilemma!

Thanks for the feedback also, Mabel. I was wondering what you would think about the "bib" texture since the stitching wasn't as consistent as I wanted.
I'm sure that Miss Lexi's expertise in re-furr-bishing adds a special dimension to all interior design.


Carole

[rcperryls]

Another quick update. The tip of the tail and the shading went pretty quickly. )Helps that I was rewatching "The Two Towers" for the gazillionth time and know the lines by heart so I only had to focus on the stitching) The Black Cat is finished and I guess instead of an Elegant Cat she is "Cat With An Attitude", unless I try to restitch the face and get the proportions right. But then again, she does have a unique look about her.



Thanks for looking. Now on to the ginger cat!

Carole

[Squirrel]

WOW he really is coming to life and I love how his tail is shaped.

[vanessanjf]

Looking good

[mags]

Looks really good, well done

[rcperryls]

The outline of the Ginger Cat in stem stitch is now done. One important thing to remember when doing this surface embroidery is that the proper needles are sharper than the tapestry needles in cross stitch and a little blood looks very very red when it falls on the fabric. If you are very lucky, it will fall on a section of the design that will be mostly covered by stitches. You hope. I hope. Still I'm enjoying this very much.



Thanks for looking and thank you all for your kind comments.

Carole

[wendywombat]

What a great pair!! I'm really impressed!

I have found my Cats by Mabel but it's just too darn hot and humid to stitch at the moment here!

BTW I know all about sharp needles!! I was putting a zip into a little purse I made for my daughter......Thank goodness that Hardanger is as washable as cross stitch. I managed to stab myself TWICE!