I really should know better....

... than to put my work aside before finishing the metal thread tails on the back!!!

I know nothing worse than having to start a 'stitching session' by finishing yesterdays tails, and if it wasn't because I had a looming deadline for this project it would most likely be sidelined for quite some time before I would make myself tidy it up so that I can move on.

But as I said... I have a deadline. So, after deep breath (and a bit of silent swearing at myself) I started today by finishing what I should have done yesterday.

SINKING METAL THREAD TAILS

Although this is a rather fine Imitation Jap (T70), I use a lasso to sink the tails. You can do threads this fine just by threading the tip of the tail into a very large (no.18) chenille needle, but I find it causes less damage to the metal using the lasso.
Slowly, slowly, one tail at a time.

Then on to the back. I am convinced this type of work is more time consuming on the back than on the front. The tails are stitched down securely - again: slowly, slowly, one at a time...

Then the excess can be trimmed away... and then onto the next.

HINT

As you can see on the finished tails in the background there is a lot of cotton thread core showing. That is because, in very tight spots or when I have a lot of tails, I will often strip the metal from the thread core to reduce bulk. It is a little trick I learned when I worked at The Society of Church Art (Selskabet for Kirkelig Kunst) in Copenhagen years ago.
Of course you need to be very, very careful when doing this. If you strip the metal too hard, will unravel onto the front and the cotton core will show at the edges.

To avoid this, I start by working three, tight overcast stitches to hold the tail securely at the base...

.. then I trim the tail and gently unravel the metal back to the point where it is stitched down. I then trim that tiny bit of metal and stitch the rest of the tail securely down.

And so (hours later) a neat and tidy little pomegranate is getting closer to being finished.

I looked over at my work tray.. a jumbled mess of threads, tools and notes...

Inspired by my now neat and tidy tails,

Oh and what am I working on?
I have not entirely been sworn to secrecy but I can't show you the whole piece (yet). It is intended for something quite special later in the year...

... but here is a teeny-weeny sneak peak of the plan before I started.

I am now going to enjoy finishing my little pomegranates before moving onto the many stems.
Happy Stitching,
Anna x

Mountain Oak - The last leaf

It has been another very hot week here, so I have spend endless hours armed with a hose to keep the garden alive. 

Although I didn't have much left to do on the last leaf, I have only just got around to it today. Compared to the others, the stitching on this one is simple but I am happy with the way it turned out.

                 The other elements on the same branch are more delicate - a nice contrast the solid stitching of the leaf. 

The Mountain Oak is now finished. 

Considering how limited the colour palette for this piece is, it is turning out to be rather colourful

Although I have been looking at for so long, it always surprises me how it looks when I get the pictures up on the screen, which is a really odd feeling. .

Now for those hillocks (or mountains)... 

As you may remember, I started this project as a class piece for the Alpine Experience (14th - 21st August). It is so rare and amazing to have opportunity to teach for whole week, making it ideal for a slightly large and more complex project. 

I knew the workshop was filling but it turns out there is now only ONE space left which is amazing!! If you were thinking of joining us you may have To Book pretty soon if you don't want to miss out.

Have a lovely weekend,

Anna X