This month marks the one-year anniversary of when I really got serious about this stitching stuff. Since then I've finished cross stitch pieces and surface embroideries into things like wall-hangings, pillows, ornaments, and little table mats with plain or drawn-thread hems. (I also picked up sewing, thanks to stitching a pillow by hand, and now have three vintage sewing machines, a serger, and have made tops, a dress, an apron, and a jacket.) Up until now I've always worked with one of Krista's kits, but I thought it was appropriate this month to start a project that I kitted up myself. So I ordered some of Krista's windowpane fabric, downloaded the free scrolled leaves pattern, and ordered some DMC floss from the Mediterranean palette listed on this forum. I decided I wanted a pillow instead of a table runner, so I cut my fabric into a 4 by 4 square and serged the edges myself. I ended up deciding to make scrolled leaves using DMC 924 and 832.
I started stitching on the project a couple days ago, and just now finished up the first motif. Now I just have to do it again 15 times and I'll have a pillow! I'm happy with how the colors look together, and am enjoying the meditative quality of the pattern. No, I didn't get my first motif perfectly centered, but I decided to go with the imperfection, and try to count better the next time. I'm so grateful to have found Krista's patterns and this community. Stitching and sewing have brought such richness to my life this past year.
The windowpane fabric is interesting to stitch on. As I mentioned, I had some trouble counting on it at first, but eventually found stitching is actually a little easier with it because the drawn thread work tends to bundle certain threads together, making it easier for me to see the grid. I just get confused at the edges about what it part of the drawn thread work, and what is part of the grid. On the whole though, I love this fabric, and am pleased I have another 4 by 4 serged square of it ready for another pillow project someday.
This is a really sweet project. After working through the Skandari Diamonds, I understand the concept of "I only have to do this X many more times." But it's nice to be able to work a motif and keep going or stop and hop on something else for a quick break. And I see somebody's been buying fabulous things at Brooklyn Haberdashery!!!! Your work bag and little bins are the bomb! I can't even admit to how many beautiful tools and toolboxes I have from that place. I'm completely addicted to all things Cohana. And I noticed that they picked up one of Krista's kits, too!
You've been such a busy bee this year! All of your accomplishments are really impressive. I have a feeling that you'll take over the guest room with sewing and embroidery stuff because you clearly have the bug.
If you're at all concerned about the placement of your stitching, make it a design feature? Stitch all of them the same, and nobody will ever notice. Love your colors, btw.