After a long break over summer, my tapestry group started back in February. I began this smaller project, Tim's Christmas stocking, so that I'd have something to take along to my class. I didn't really want to lug around that monster Baxtergraphix Ferry every month. In December 2011, I had come to a halt on this tapestry because I'd run out of one of the metallic threads. After some research, I'd decided to order from an Australian embroidery store, but on-line. I was a bit surprised that my order of thread hadn't arrived by early February, so I've had to stop working on the cuff and move onto the pretty picture. If I'd known it would take so long for the embroidery thread to arrive from Melbourne, I might have ordered from overseas. I'm sure I would have it by now if I'd ordered from overseas, I just wanted to try and support local business.
Because of the type of technique I use, the dangling threads from the unfinished section at the top has been quite distracting to try and stitch around. I'll be glad when my order finally arrives and I can finish off the top section.
It has been interesting though from a stiching point of view, to move onto the new threads and the new stitches. I've been using brick stitch (for the bricks!), continental for the mortar on the bricks, as well as the snow on the bricks and the garland, and for the shiny red bows. Then I've used interlocking gobelin for the green pine fronds of the garland. And finally, mosaic stitch on the frame of the window. It keeps it interesting as I stitch back and forth, to be constantly changing styles and threads.
But best of all has been the wonderful new threads I'm playing with. My favourite has been the variegated dyed threads used for the bricks and for the pine garland. The thread on the pine garland is Caron Impressions, no 83 Pine Forest. It is 50% silk, 50% wool and it stitches beautifully. The colours blend from greeny-blue, to a muted darker green. I like the look of the Kreinik metallics but dont really like stitching with them. They are stiff to work with but this Caron Impressions is lovely and soft.
Previous posts
Christmas stocking (December 2011)
On the frame - Tim's stocking (April 2011)
Tim's Christmas stocking (April 2011)
