This has been a long time coming…
But at last, I have finally got there with this piece. Once I knuckled down and just stitched it, it really did move along quickly. It’s still not quite ready to come off the frame – a few more French knots for the bobbly bits on the stamens. In theory this shouldn’t take long, but in practice I think it probably will as it is quite the struggle to get the needle through all the stitching now. At a minimum it seems to be two hands to tug, and I can see pliers being used in the not too distant future!
Finishing the last few petals
Last time we had a look at this piece it had come along in leaps and bounds, with just one main petal and one tiny petal left to complete.
As I had hoped, neither presented any major problems, though both had their own little problems. I think I have finally got to the stage of knowing where I’m going to have a problem, whether it be with stitch direction or colour shading, that I can now pre-empt it. So I can plan a bit better and get it straight in my head before I start stitching. Definitely a good thing!
The flower centre
It was now time to tackle the centre of the flower. Something I had been dreading for some time. My problems weren’t helped by every time I asked a tutor how to stitch it they gave a different answer to what they had previously said!
The lime green section was nice and easy – just a lot of small satin stitches.
Then we changed course a little bit, and to be honest, I’m still not completely sold on this approach. One of the primary things you need to keep in mind when stitching silk shading is that you work from the back to the front – back petals first, then the petals that lay on top etc. But with the centre, I was told to stitch the round ‘bubbles’ which sit on top of the stamens in the picture, before stitching the stamens.
This doesn’t appear to have created too many problems. There will need to be more added in now I have the stamens in. I was told to stitch it in this way so I had a good direction of where the stamens were coming from. I’m not sure if it helped or it didn’t.
The decision on the stamens
There has been a bit of talk around here on how to stitch the stamens. I was again given differing advice from the tutors, and was at a bit of loss as to how to progress.
But after a break, I decided I was definitely going for the long-armed french knots. Until it came time to actually stitch them. I freaked out a little, I’ll be honest! But that wasn’t the only reason. When you look at the photo, the straight bit of the stamen is a different colour to the bobbly bit on the end. So a long armed French knot wasn’t going to work.
The RSN have booked in a few Sunday classes for the rest of the academic year, and since I’d missed a couple of classes due to travelling (tough life isn’t it?!), I thought I’d pop along. This also gave me access to a different tutor which was a great way to get different feedback on my work. I spoke with Becky about my concerns, and she echoed them. And finally I had a solution – straight stitches with a French knot on the end. So simple! After a few samples I decided I needed two strands for the French knot. This has the added advantage of being able to mix the thread colours to get the slightly different shades.
And now, all I have to do is stitch them up! If only it wasn’t so hard to get the needle through, this would be a really quick and easy activity!
Finishing the leaves
To finish off the leaves was also quite straight forward. A few rows of stem stitch in a few different colours, and they came together quite well. I’m reasonably pleased with my full leaf, not so much my two part leaves.
With the left leaf I didn’t expect it to be so difficult to get the stitch direction correct. It doesn’t help that it is bending in a slightly odd way either!
Next up – mounting!
So on Friday, this piece will finally be coming off the frame! I’ve cut my mount board, and will be ready to stretch it after I have the ‘ok’ from the tutors. This is definitely my least favourite part of each piece. But, it does make a big difference, and I’m glad I know how to do it properly.
Some thoughts…
Last time I gave you an insight into what I thought about the rain drops. But what about the whole piece now it’s almost finished?
If I’m honest, I’m not overly happy with it. I know you can see the development and improvement throughout the piece. This is favoured by the assessors to a degree. But I also think I could have generally done better. Some of my edges aren’t neat, I really struggled with the part leaves, and it shows. Whilst I have learnt a lot and improved a lot within this piece, I would have preferred to have done a better job. I guess there is always the next piece!
The other thing which is bothering me, is I have no idea what the assessors will say or what they will think of it. With my previous pieces, I had a general idea of what I had done well and what I had done poorly. With this, part of me thinks it all needs radical improvement! But, it is done, and it will just be the waiting game for the assessment results. I am however determined to get better results for my mounting this time round than I did for the canvas work piece!
Working this piece and managing different guidance received
One of the initial problems I had when working this piece was the way the tutors changed their idea on how it should be stitched. I can understand where this comes from, as each piece is unique, and will need to be approached in a different way. What was frustrating however was differences were sometimes miles apart. This is obviously a good lesson to learn and consider when learning a practical subject – get as many different ideas and methods first, and then choose what you think sits best with you. Whilst the RSN will say all tutors stitch the same way, in reality, this isn’t the case.
Working on the project continually
As we have seen with this piece, this is a technique where just getting in and doing it, is the best thing. Yes, you will still see your stitching improve and develop, but without the changes to your stitching style, and needing to get back into it each time you pick it up. You also develop a keen eye for the colours and start to ‘know’ which colour you need where, rather than having to measure it against the photo continually.
So I am fully on board with the advice of doing this project on a continual basis. I’m just not sure you need to attend class as they recommend. Yes, there are times you need advice, whether it be for learning how to do a turnover, how to tackle a difficult stitch direction, or what to do with stamens! But, stitching at home in a dedicated fashion will probably yield you similar results, without the expense or the travel time.
Having said that, you need to understand the technique and how to read your photograph to be able to do this! A delicate balance!
RSN Silk Shaded Rose – till next time!
I won’t be writing about this piece again for a while here. I will wait for the rather terrifying assessment results to come in before I share any more with you on this piece. But, if you would like to know how I get on with mounting it or what it looks like once finally mounted, do make sure you stay tuned via one of the other ways I’m sharing with you over the next few months. Moving day is getting closer!
It looks amazing Catherine! I Really like the stamens. Thank you for sharing your tips about doing the certificate module with us!
Thanks Marlous. I guess each individual will be different but I would approach it differently if I did it again!
Wow, it looks stunning!
Thanks Alex ☺️
Gorgeous! You are so talented, Catherine!
You are very kind, thank you!
It’s beautiful, you’re inspiring me to try silk shading sometime, I even know which photo I want to do 🙂
Oh how exciting Margaret! I’m glad you feel inspired. If I can help in any way let me know!
The finish looks so pretty. I like how you used two strands in different colors to get the shade you needed.
Yes, it was clever, I’m glad it worked so well. Though threading a number 12 needle with two strands isn’t easy…
It really does look amazing Catherine. I can’t agree more about ‘advice’ from different tutors. I think when I started I almost expected to be told exactly how to stitch – maybe the idea is that we develop in confidence to then sew in our own style.
I think I was a lot like you Deborah, and expected to be re-taught how to stitch. But I guess part of the process is teaching us to be creative in our own element.
This final picture finally captures how amazing this piece is. I can see the 3 dimensional quality so easily, and the center is perfect in my opinion. Those French knots with the different strands are definitely the way to go on this. It is a beautiful picture and will look amazing on a wall in your new house! Hope you get fabulous mounting marks this time around!
Oh thanks so much for your never ending support Kathy! I’m happy with the final decision on the centre, it was definitely the right choice!
It’s ridiculous how real this looks!! How do you do it? Gorgeous 🙂
Thank you Avis! A lot of trial and error and stitching with the photo. It took a while to get the hang of it.
It’s absolutely amazing. It looks almost alive. Congratulations on (almost) finishing it. Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
Thanks Teresa!
Each time I see it o wonder how it can get any better. What an achievement Catherine 🙂
That’s very sweet, thank you Tracey
There is a great deal of detail in the way a technique like this is applied, and as you say, the next one will go very much better. I would expect the assessors to be able to point to where you’ve shown a real grasp of the ideas, and also to be able to tell you where – and how – you can improve. But on balance I would expect them to say you’ve done well.
Thanks Rachel, I suspect there will be a ‘balance’ in the assessors comments. I still need to do my own self assessment of so I do need to get a bit of perspective on it! As with the other techniques, I am now interested in doing another piece like to further learn and develop!
This is beautiful. You are so talented! I almost mistook it for a real flower at first glance 🙂
Thank you so much! I’d like to do another to further develop the technique
It is an amazing piece. I liked the shading with the French knots you did with two different colors. What an interesting technique.
Thanks so much Sheltie, and thanks for stopping by! I’m really pleased with the way the centre eventually worked out.
This piece looked brilliant ‘in the flesh’, Catherine. It was good to meet you today.
Oh thanks Deborah. I’m still over it! It was lovely to meet you too, good luck with your mounting! I still love your piece and the design. Hope to see you again soon!
Hello , your Rose is exquisite ! Yes you look after yourself and keep warm during this cold weather . Yes hand-care is very important isn’t it ? ! Daisy 🙂 x
Thanks so much! It got there in the end ☺️ I’m enjoying my indoor day. Hoping for another but the sun is now out. But my hands are struggling!
omgosh Catherine. That is absolutely stunning. I am so jelous of what you can do with colorful threads and needles. You are very talented.
Thanks Tammy, from you that means a lot – I’m always in awe of your creations!
This is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing how you did it!
Thanks for stopping by Pamela! I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful.
This is just simply stunning!
Thanks Rhona!
Beautiful work!!
Thanks Moira ☺️
Catherine, congratulations on your rose. It looks very nice. I especially like the lower left hand area with the dark shading contrasting with the lighter petal on top. The more shading you do the better you will get!
Good luck on your assessment!
Thanks Margaret. Despite the rather rocky start, I did really enjoy it, and would like to stitch another flower soon to practice!
Oh wow, this looks amazing! And I think you went with the right choice for the stamens, they’re very lifelike. Good luck with your mounting, and in the assessment… Although I’m sure you won’t need it! ?
Thank you! I’m quite pleased with the result, it is still not mounted so it will be interesting to see what I think of it once it’s all stretched!
Just gorgeous!
Thank you!
The rose is so beautifully stitched! I’m so glad to have this blog – thank you for visiting and following, which led me here ?
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your encouragement! It means a great deal to me, thank you.
You’re welcome. ?
gorgeous! I hope you got top marks for it ^^
Thanks for your support Claire. Fingers crossed with the assessment – will wait and see what they say. I have no idea what they will think of this piece!
That is an incredible masterpiece! Just breathtaking!
Thanks so much! Let’s hope the assessors think the same thing!