Arianwen's christmas sampler marathon update 16.12.21

[Arianwen]

Just a quick update

things are moving on but not as quick as I would like. The first 3 boxes are completed on the two gift samplers and I am about to start on the 3rd box for our sampler



I was hoping to have this finished in time for a birthday gift for the 19th but we will see. I've ordered some backing fabric so just waiting on that to arrive too

I have been working on them one block at a time across all 3 samplers but I might finish the 2 blocks on the one i need done by the 19th then alternate the other two.

I could also take it into work. Things are very quiet at this time of year and as long as my work is done it doesnt matter what else I do.

I absolutely love the paintbox threads silk (all the yellow bits) SO nice to stitch with and the shine is lovely. Colour is different to the original but thats fine. I've used 2 strands on the 25 count but need to experiment on the 28 count cause I think 2 strands might be a bit bulky. I'm also thinking decorative stitching between the panels might be a bit too much. Opinions please?


We Shall see!

Thanks for looking!

[wendywombat]

Those are coming on so quickly!

[rcperryls]

They are already beautiful! The colors are so rich.

I find that 1 strand works better for me when stitching on 28 (and sometimes 25) count works better for me, especially if a pattern is filled with a lot of confetti. The designs seem pretty safe forward, but I would test it on a scrap piece of fabric, if you have some and do several rows of stitching to see if it is too thick for 2 strands. Doesn't seem like a lot of confetti in these patterns, so you may not have any trouble.

Can't wait to see what comes next!

Carole

[Squirrel]

A lovely update of this interesting desin. Well Done.

[Serinde]

Paintbox might be able to help.

[Mabel Figworthy]

These are coming on so well!

[Arianwen]

So I started getting a wee bit twitchy as I need the one for my parents done by sunday. I switched and focused on doing that one first and its finished!



I'm really happy with how it turned out but I have found some muddy pawprints on the back (they will match with the 'speciality fibers' embedded I am sure!)

this is sort of how it will look when I've fully finished it

I think the hanger I bought is a touch too small

I get paid tomorrow so I can order the larger size then and hope it arrives by sunday - if not at least the rest will be done. Or I can just have the scandi fabric showing on the front which will make the whole thing narrower.

I am hoping to get this sewn together this afternoon, after my welsh class

With the scandi pattern I think stitching between the blocks will be too much

[fccs]

This is beautiful. I agree with you for not stitching between the blocks. It will be perfect as you have planned it.

[rcperryls]

This is going to be a very much loved gift! Doesn't need more stitching between the squares.

Carole

[Squirrel]

Stitching between the blocks will detract from the individual squares and spoil the overall look. Just forget about that and leave it as shown.

[Serinde]

You have done such a lot in such a short time! May I put my oar in? Because the spacing is different between around the middle block (Angels), you might want to put some embellishment in these two spaces to even it up? Just my thought. (Or perhaps I've misunderstood the layout altogether, of course!)

[Arianwen]

You have done such a lot in such a short time! May I put my oar in? Because the spacing is different between around the middle block (Angels), you might want to put some embellishment in these two spaces to even it up? Just my thought. (Or perhaps I've misunderstood the layout altogether, of course!)

you havent misunderstood at all Serinde. Initially that was my intention but now I am not so sure. I had toyed with the idea of laced running stitch in that gap in red and green (above and below the Angels block) but now I'm concerned it will be too 'busy' with the geometric design of the scandi fabric.

I have decided that the hangers I did have were too small so I purchased a different hanger that will be arriving today with (I think?) a 12 inch hanger - the one I had was 7 inches/15cm

[Mabel Figworthy]

How about some sort of message in backstitch lettering to match the lettering in the squares? Perhaps the date, or a favourite verse or quotation?