New Year = New Projects

Happy new year to all.

My resolution for the year is to laugh more, stitch more and spend more time with friends and family (luckily most of my friends are also avid embroiderer’s and quilters!).

I managed to fulfil one of my holiday commitments – Finish off my Jane Nicholas project, Persian Peony Tile. 

I thoroughly enjoyed stitching this project, not just for the beauty of it but because it provided many of the elements I look for in a project i.e. new and varied techniques, the use of a variety of threads, wires and embellishments, and a challenge. 

The finished piece measures 16.5 cm (6 ½ “) by 11 cm (4 ¼ “).

Over the holidays, we had my two step daughters with us for 2 weeks, so there wasn’t much stitching going on and I was starting to feel withdrawal symptoms.

While I was stitching my Persian Tile, I was thinking about my next project and itching to get started.  And the perfect day dawned – a very wet rainy day – perfect for being indoors with needle and thread.  So today I began my new project – On Golden Pond.  But more about that tomorrow.

Before I leave this post I wanted to respond to a comment left by Carol-Anne Conway in relation to couching Or Nué style.  Thank you for the insight into the goldwork couching in Karahana.  I was very interested to read how you untwist and retwist the imitaltion jap when you turn the sharp corners.  I have not used this technique for turning or seen it mentioned in my goldwork books or come across it in any classes.  I will certainly give it a go in a future project.  Unfortunately, I don’t think this technique would be possible with the gilt passing thread as the gilt wire is very fine and very closely wound around the cotton core so it is quite stiff. As you have said, the flattened nature of the gold wrapping of the Jap makes it flexible and lends itself better to untwisting along the length of the thread.

I untwisted some of the Kreinik Imitation Jap No 7 (on the left),and gilt passing thread (centre) and placed them next to a single strand of Au Ver A Soie D’Alger (on the right).  I only included the Soie D’Alger to give an idea of the thickness of the other threads.  I hope the picture shows how these two gold threads differ in materials and thickness.

PS This piece will measure approx 7cm (2 3/4") by 15cm (6") when completed.

Comments

[Mary Corbet]

BEE YOOOOOOO TEEEE FUL!!!!! This is a gorgeous piece! I wonder if Jane will ever offer this kit on her website?! I love the colors! I love the stitches! I love the combination of the gold and the silk! Well done!

[Gail Petersen]

I agree with Mary, and you do just fabulous work! I look for projects with the same elements as you mentioned in your post: different techniques, elements, fibers, etc. and Jane's project fulfills that perfectly. You reinforce how much I am enjoying my new-found interest in goldwork, especially when it is balanced with various silk colors. Thank you for your posts!

[Elmsley Rose]

The tile is just beautiful!

[Gold n' Stitches]

Hi Mary
I believe Jane is currently in the process of compiling a new book of her Persian Tile designs due for release this year. Last year she released her latest book, Stumpwork Medieval Flora, at the Koala Convention in June so hopefully she will do the same this year.

Sandy

[Pat]

Beautiful!