Monday 14 April 2014

Friends to the rescue

Oh, the greatness of having online friends! Once again someone has come to my rescue. It was  Annet of Fat-Quarter who left  a comment on the last blog post of mine.

I had been complaining about how difficult the TAST #106 Looped Cretan Stitch was to space, or rather how hard it had been for me. Then Annet mentioned that she often uses Aida fabric for trying out new stitches. Why hadn't I thought of that!? I quickly pulled out a piece of scrap Aida and stitched two rows: 

Aren't they neat? From now on, I will need to test the stitches on Aida before struggling with all those holes in even-weave.

Isn't the advice, inspiration and support of one's online friends something to be very grateful about? I think so, and this time direct a heartfelt THANK YOU to Annet.

22 comments:

margaret said...

this has worked really well, I find though even weave is easier to stitch on than aida, think I will be using this stitch on my crazy block

crazyQstitcher said...

I agree Queenie, that online friends are a blessing. My own work has improved because of this. Freezer paper printing information is but one of them. :-)

I worked Sharon's stitches-by-number on Aida. I like all your latest samples as well as the earlier ones. The ones you were not happy with, Sharon would call 'taking further'.

Pamela said...

Beautiful even stitches! Isn't it great that people are so helpful?

Chris(craft) and Dave(photos) Richards said...

This is great advice, working the complex stitches on Aida first !
I've just started a Quaker ball......Wish me luck Queenie......
hugs
Chris Richards
xxx

Stitching Lady said...

Yes, I am quite of the same opinion. Lovely to be able to communicate and ask questions and learn from each other. A blessing of our time!

Julie Fukuda said...

Anything that cuts back on counting is a winner. I love it when friends solve my problems for me. Sometimes it only takes another's point of view or experience to see things in a new light.

carorose said...

Not only are they neat they look really good.

Annet said...

I'm glad my advice helped you.

Queeniepatch said...

Well, that is said by the Queen of Hardanger. Of course even-weave is easier for you with all your experience!
The Looped Cretan 'belongs' on a crazy quilt block, so I do hope you will use it.
Have fun!

Queeniepatch said...

It is a delight to get, and give, help to online friends. By posting it on our blogs we might be able to help and inspire others as well.
Sharon might call the uneven stitches ones that you have taken further, but that is 100% unintentionally. My 'problem' is that I want to be in control, either for an even and neat result or making an 'organised' mess. Sometimes, however, it is nice to let go stitch' blindly'.

Queeniepatch said...

Yes, I am surprised at how easy it was to get such neat result! I am so happy to have contact with all these helpful friendly needleworkers.

Queeniepatch said...

I had to google Quaker Ball (still so much to learn!!!) and found the most fantastic pieces of art. You don't need any luck, but I wish you lots of enjoyment, and patience (?).

Queeniepatch said...

You are so right in that it is a blessing of our time! Imagine when a letter took years to reach someone, and you had to wait forever for an answer. Long live the internet and instant assistance!

Queeniepatch said...

I think Aida was used extensively in school and I have looked down on such a 'beginners' fabric. Ha! One certainly learns things (also about oneself) at any age!
You know how much we have learned from each other by looking at quilts together. True educational friendship!

Queeniepatch said...

Yes, isn't this stitch just lovely? You could easily add other stitches for a pretty floral display.

Queeniepatch said...

I am sure it has helped a lot of other readers, too. Looking forward to more advice from you.
Cheers,
Queenie

Anonymous said...

very neat work. I have some rectangle weave cloth , which is not as good as Aida. I use them for working samplers.
Chitra

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

It does look neat but I prefer the even weave fabric to aida. I sometimes stitch on aida and still miss count!

Queeniepatch said...

You make such a lot of stitch COMBINATIONS on your samplers and I think spacing must be of great importance. I am not sure if I could manage to concentrate on two or three stitches at the same time and get a neat result.

Queeniepatch said...

Do you know, Linda, to me it was suddenly so easy I felt as if I could have stitched blindfolded! I will definitely use Aida for training and then even-weave or plain fabric for creating.

Elizabeth's quarters said...

Your stitches always look fantastically neat to me whatever fabric you use. But the right tools and materials certainly cause less frustration and make good sewing look even better.

Queeniepatch said...

Exactly! You hit on the right word, 'frustration'. In the end I could not be bothered with counting the holes and 'gave up'. When I re-did the stitches on the Aida it went like a dream! Absolutely stress free, just like we want our crafts to be.