Friday Revision Homework - Delayed Because of Senility

I can not hand in the Sunbonnet Sue Revision Stitch Sampler for stitches 51-55 today, because of senility.

Now I am not talking of my own, or Sue's dementia, but of Ms Gaga Doddering whose tantrum upset just about everything.

We need a nurse!

I hope to have the Sunbonnet Sue Sampler done during the weekend.

WIPW - Edged and Portrayed

Wednesdays come round so quickly and it is hard to keep up the progress for Work In Progress Wednesday. 

It is nearing midnight and I have just put the edge on the purple

Crazy for Crazy

block. 

 This was really fun to make and I can hardly wait to start on the next block, which will be ruby red.

I pulled out various pieced of red from my stash.

I also made another
Stumpwork Portrait
This was then turned into a greeting card.

The recipient of the card is strongly connected to the turquoise silk I used for the dress and I hope this fabric will evoke fond memories.

Sunday Stitch School - Revision: Stitches 51 - 55

Welcome to another revision lesson at Sunday Stitch School.

Below are the five stitches, click on the heading to learn them and see the old posts.

51 Tent Stitch
An old stitch most suitable for canvas.

52 Underside Couching

A smart way to use expensive thread economically and beautifully.

53 Sword Edging Stitch
Oh, so easy, and with great potential!


54 Tramming
I learned from blog readers that this technique was used to mark the design instead of painting the canvas or referring to a chart.
It also gives a very nice raised look to ordinary Cross Stitch and Half Stitch.


55 Tailor's Buttonhole Stitch
This is were I learned the most during these last five stitches. SO many variations and SO enjoyable to watch professionals at work. Check out the videos!



Homework:
As usual the task is to make use of the five stitches on a Sunbonnet Sue design.
Crayon, rubber pad and stranded floss must be included

Friday Extended Homework for: Tailor's Buttonhole Stitch

So here is my second, and third attempt at making a handmade keyhole buttonhole.

Last week's unsuccessful keyhole on the left.

This week's on the right, and this time it WAS stitched in the right direction. It is just slightly more tidy than the first attempt, and once again the light gray gimp shows through the stitches.

I then made a third buttonhole, using felt, so there was no need to worry about fraying.

They say that practice makes perfect. Well, at least practice gives a bit of improvement, even if only slight.

What have I learned?

1. Practice, and you will improve.
2. Get into a rhythm and don't stop once you have started stitching. This is the best way to make even-ish stitches.
3. Make sure the gimp and buttonhole silk match the fabric (unless you want a contrasting look).
4. Use a generous length of thread. To cast on the thread you need to have enough thread to maneuver.
5. It was worth repeating the lesson.