I have finally completely finished mounting my RSN Jacobean piece! After the little complications getting to the almost completed stage, this final part was a welcome relief!
Thankfully, after all the problems with the mount board, and the extra time the fabric had to relax into its new position, the fabric seemed to think behaving itself was a good idea. After sitting for nearly two weeks after the herringbone stitch was completed, it didn’t relax any further, which meant no lacing was required. As strange as it is, I was actually almost wanting to lace it so I could see how the experts do it! I’m sure that will come in due course.
So all that remained was to ‘back’ the piece with a cotton sateen fabric. And there wasn’t a lot of messing around with this! A piece of the fabric was cut, with again a large ‘hem’ – I would say about 15cm, all the way around the board. The fabric is then folded into position, and with only a few pins, held in place. The corners are not mitred or anything, they are simply folded under.
A slip stitch, using the same technique of going back on the previous stitch before moving ahead to make the stitch ‘disappear’, is used to join the backing fabric to the linen. The thread is pulled very tightly (I actually had fears of ripping the fabric I was pulling it so tightly, but that thankfully didn’t happen!).
This was surprisingly quick to work – there was no glue or thick layers of fabric to negotiate! You also use one length of thread the entire way around to minimise the starting and finishing (within reason – if it was an enormous piece, I’m sure multiple thread lengths could be used!).
The front (thankfully!), looks just the same as the last photo of after the herringbone stitch I’m afraid, I promise it is a new one!
Mounting is apparently an area where a lot of marks are deducted. I think I have too many pin marks around the edge of the fabric, the sateen has a few pin marks, and not all of my stitches are exactly the same size when attaching the sateen to the linen. The board is still ever so slightly warped as well. I’m sure there are other things, perhaps I didn’t quite follow the grain line all the way around the piece, and a few things I haven’t thought of! And that’s before they even look at the stitching and design!
So at length, I will be handing it in for assessment! The next assessment period isn’t until Easter when I will have forgotten all these details, and will be reminded of them and more when I read the assessor notes. But for now, it is fingers crossed.
Looking good, hope all goes well with the assessment.
Thank you! I am quite pleased with how it all turned out. Now time to play the waiting game.
Just out of curiosity ( I’m working too many hour at the moment) how often do you need to attend tutorials at the RSN?
I know all about working too many hours! It’s really flexible on attendance. It’s advised to be able to do your homework (I find this is anywhere from 7 to 15 hours), before your next class. This is so you get the most out of it. I attend fortnightly on the whole, but I know those who work full time attend monthly or six weekly. If you want any more information let me know!
I assume your given a personal tutor for each section. It looks good, certainly something to think about.
I’m still working my way through all the changes in the GCSE & A level physics curriculum at the moment. So I think I will have to settle for brushing up on my embroidery skills when I get time. I have booked to look round the Hampton court exhibition. I might have a look at the classes & see if anything takes my fancy in the school holidays.
If you attend the classes on the same day each time, except for illness obviously, you will have the same tutors. They operate at a ratio of six students to one tutor, so depending on how big the class is, there might be one, two or three tutors wandering around the room. I would definitely suggest a day class if you can manage, it gives you a good feel for it. Though it is a lot more relaxed! Good luck learning new physics things!
Thanks
My A level physics taster lesson is chilled, but the course isn’t, so I know what you mean.
Like I said last week, this is an amazing work of art. Thank you for sharing the finished piece with us at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
Thanks so much!
Very well done! I’m sure the assessors will be both encouraging and constructive!
Thanks Rachel! I’m looking forward to seeing what they say as it will only help me to improve!
I think you’ve done a wonderful job despite the problems you encountered. To me it looks very professional and I liked the way you mitered your corners in your previous post.
I hope your new job is working out for you too.
Thanks so much Ann! I’m usually scared of mitred corners, so it was quite the relief to find them quite easy to do. I’m loving my new job thankyou, though I’m finding it very tiring still! I hope you are keeping well.
Well done, Catherine! And yes, you will most probably be lacing your silk shading piece :).
Thanks Jessica! I have heard the tutors telling those who are doing silk shading that it must be laced, so I guess there is no escaping it! I do enjoy learning the right way to do all these things though!
It’s lovely! Good luck on your assessment. Thanks for sharing with us at Together on Tuesdays. Pinned.
Thank you! Waiting is always the scary part of something I find! Thanks for hosting the link up!