DIY or outsource?

Dionne    Feel good stuff, Up coming events     framing, Noah's sub, outsourcing, thread collection

Have finally admitted defeat on Noah’s Sub, the 1/8th I had completed along with my thread box and a spare skein of each thread, (there are over 120 FYI!) went in the post to Margaret this week.  Had a little pang sending off the thread box, I know it will be taken good care of, but it is part of my thread collection, a lifetime collection, begun 36 years ago when I was given my first project and my very own threads at the age of 5.

Am mildly mortified at what Margaret will think of my finished work.  I have posted the back of her work in ”Everyone’s a critic …” earlier this month.  I need this done, my nephew isn’t getting any younger, although it may adorn the shop wall for a little time, (don’t tell my sister).  This is the first time I have engaged someone else to stitch for me personallysince I was 15.  It doesn’t sit well, but sometimes we have to do things we don’t like as our attention and time is engaged elsewhere.  In fact it felt so good to know it would now be completed, I have decided to hand over construction of a dress to someone as I know my attention is focussed elsewhere at present.

One thing I never feel guilty about is outsourcing the framing of my finished work.  I know I could do an ok job, but after I have invested that much time, I want the best framing I can, ok is just not good enough.  Some people prefer the satisfaction of being able to say they completed everything in a stitched work, including the framing.  Not me.  I am currently negotiating with someone to teach a class in stretching and framing completed stitching.  So watch this space and I will keep you updated.

Beatrix Potter Character samplers now available

Dionne    What's New     beatrix potter, Cross Stitch, peter rabbit

Beautiful, classic design never dates

Perennial favourites, Beatrix Potter characters brought to life in cross stitch by Jeanne Bowers of Green Apple are now available at Victoria House Needlecraft.  These adorable designs are timeless and just the thing for the new arrival in your life.  Peter Rabbit is featured here, we have made up kits with threads and a choice of fabric for your convenience.  These are available here on our site and in store now.

Jo Sharp Yarns and Pattern books

Dionne    What's New     jo sharp pattern books, jo sharp yarns, rare comfort infusion kid mohair, rare comfort kid mohair, silkroad aran tweed

Am pleased to announce I have loaded all our Jo Sharp yarns and pattern books.  While there is some accuracy lost in the colour hues of yarn, you can get a very good idea of the palattes, which have increased this year especially in the Silkroad Aran Tweed, Rare Comfort Kid mohair and Rare Comfort Infusion Kid Mohair.

Loving the return of some old favourite colours like Russian and Romany

I may return and add in more images for the books than I have currently included, but for now, I am pleased with how they look.  Would prefer to clear with Jo Sharp about additional images as she has already been more than generous in allowing us to use her images for our website.  It is great to work with suppliers who provide after sales support.

Everyone’s a critic …

Dionne    Exhibiting your work     best in show, Cross Stitch, exhibiting, exhibiting cross stitch, exhibiting in shows, exhibiting long stitch, exhibiting tapestry, judging needlecraft, long stitch, needlepoint, stranded cotton, tapestry

This is the finish to aim for when exhibiting your work.

I was honoured last month to be asked to judge the Cross Stitch, Long Stitch and Tapestry section of the Moss Vale and District Show.  Yesterday I completed my judging duties and had a lovely morning with Jenny the section Steward until I had to make some hard decisions in the winners circle.  Jenny was lamenting that this year had seen a serious drop in the number of exhibitors across all classes.  What was encouraging to me, was to see the quality of work in the 14 years and under and 10 years and under.  It also took me back 26 years to my first exhibiting at the local show at 15. 

I must admit I struggled with the “Best in Show” piece.  I was down to 2 items and from the stitching competance, finish and choice of subject they were obviously by the same individual.  The work was exquisite and eventually the ability to create movement and light across a sea and lighthouse with only cross stitch and stranded cotton were the deciding factors.  Things to keep in mind when you exhibit

1 Suitability of design for finished objective.  Long outline stitch is inappropriate on a cushion, unless you are never going to have a backside land on it.

2 Bad framing, (includes distortion of canvas or fabric in stretching) will diminish the appearance of your work and reduce your score. 

3 Use a contrasting sewing machine thread to create a running stitch grid to aid your accuracy in cross stitch, this can be removed as you progress.  Pencil marks detract from your work.

4 The back should be as neat as the front. 

5 Evenness of stitch and flat surfaces  are important to a  finished look.

6 Complexity of design will improve your score.

7 Work needs to be clean prior to framing.

8 Cigarette smoke will make your work look older than it is.

When bad things happen to your nice stitching

Dionne    Feel good stuff, What's New     celtic autumn, lavendar and lace, materials, stitching, teresa wentzler

Heartbreak!   You have invested money on materials, and countless hours of your precious time and your beautiful piece is ruined! 

I once dropped a cup of coffee on Teresa Wentzler’s Noah’s Ark, after swearing, I threw it in cold water immediately.  It was milk coffee and protein in milk will set if heat is applied first.  It worked a treat, but not in the same league as permanent damage ie super glue.  Suggestion here is wait until dry, and prick all the holes with a sharp.  Then roll the fabric diagonally, sideways and up and down between your fingers to make it flexible again.  There is very little you can do with the stain if there is one, and if it is very obvious, stitching over it with an added design may be your only option. 

If however it isn’t your fault and somehow a product changes colour as you put it on, as in the case of one of our customers.  Her cross stitch Lavendar and Lace, Celtic Autumn was nearly finished, imagine her disappointment as she realised the feature beads in the dress and around the border were slowly changing from the pumpkin orange in the packet to a big bird yellow the longer they were attached to the piece.  We have exchanged the beads but the magic of the piece is gone and she just cannot bring herself to take the beads off and replace or even look at it. 

Based on past experience I know if it was me, I would stuff it in the cupboard and not look at it again … ever!  What would you do?