Sampler Motif Gone Rogue

Here’s a little quick mid-week update on another project in the studio

I guess it’s not enough that we’re working on autumn leaf projects – two of them, in fact: this one (which I haven’t shown you in full yet, but only hinted at) and this leafy table runner that I’ve been sharing tips about lately.

Switching gears entirely, we have another bit of stitchery underway here, too – this rogue sampler motif. It really belongs on a grid, but it has broken away and landed on plain weave fabric.

Like the Vinterfolk winter towel set and the Folky Flakes set, this rose motif is a gridded design transformed into vintage-style printed cross stitch.

There’s something rather soothing about this type of repetitive, easy stitching. It doesn’t require a lot of thinking, and there’s no angst over making choices. There’s something rather minimal about it, too: it requires just one color of floss (in this case DMC 3838 – two strands in the needle) and one stitch – the cross stitch.

This type of stitching can be the ideal movie (or TV, or audiobook) companion. But it’s also great for stitching in silence, for almost meditative peace and quiet. Or it’s perfect for road trips, flights, and train commutes, because it doesn’t take a whole lot of concentration.

While there are no strict rules with this type of stitching, adhering to a few principles will help create a neat, uniform cross stitch:

1. Try to keep the strands of thread lying parallel to each other with each stitch, instead of twisting. When I’m working with two strands of floss, I “railroad” my stitches by passing between the two strands as I take each stitch. This keeps them separate until the stitch is in place, so that they don’t twist over each other.

2. Try to be consistent in the direction of each layer of the cross stitch. For example, I like my top stitches of each cross stitch to all travel from southwest to northeast when the design is situated upright.

And, because the design transfer is easy to see, it’s not very strenuous on the eyes. (It’s still a good idea to use a good light, though!)

Besides this lovely rose design, I’ve been toying with a few other vintage / antique floral sampler motifs and turning them into similar designs for transfers. When I finish them all, who knows? They may end up as their own set of ready-to-stitch towels!

Quick News Flash

I’m headed to Florida today for a family funeral. I will return on Saturday, so I’ll be back to the blog on Monday.

I will most likely be out of reach for email most of the time I’m gone, although Anna will be holding the fort at the studio. If you email, you’ll receive a “vacation response” – if your question is urgent (for example, a failed download), I will do my best to answer at some point. If you don’t hear from me before Monday, please feel free to reach out again next Monday, August 19th.

Thanks for understanding!