embroidery: floral heart

[kate_nepveu]

I've been working on this embroidered floral heart for almost two years, which seems unlikely, on one hand, because it does go very fast, and perfectly realistic, on the other, since I went very long stretches without picking it up. But I finished it a few weeks ago, damp-blocked it on our ironing board, and put it in a cheap Target frame. (I used spray adhesive, because the fabric was smaller than the backing board and I figured that would make lacing it in place annoying. This worked fine, but I can definitely see that lacing would be just that bit better.)

Anyway, full photos over at the Google Photos album; I shall attempt to embed a close-up of the finished version behind the cut:

This was a decent first project, which only used five stitches: stem stitch, backstitch, straight stitch, French knots, and detached chain stitch. For all that French knots get a bad reputation, I have to say that I had the most difficulty with the detached chain stitch, which surprised me. Also, the straight stitch kind of stressed me out, because I had trouble getting the spacing (a) visually the way I wanted it and (b) fairly consistent in neighboring areas. But it is nice not having to look so much at a pattern and having variety, compared to cross-stitching.

The printed fabric was from Fileuse d'Etoiles on Etsy; the pattern is currently only available as a PDF. Unfortunately I did not love the pattern, which used color-coding in a way that I found hard to parse. (I also made a few different colors choices deliberately.) I just started this very easy Christmas tree kit and am contemplating switching up some of the backstitch for stem stitch, maybe for the green "trunk" parts; I'm concerned it might get crowded, though, so we'll see. It'll be a good travel project, anyway. After that I have this fun squirrel that was a surprise gift, and then we'll see; it might be time to try crewel, because I've been eyeing this shop's kits for ages.

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Comments

[lannamichaels]

That is gorgeous!

[kate_nepveu]

thanks!

[pameladean]

That's really lovely.

I wanted to add that I am very much enjoying my gigantic snowflake bookmark. It turns out to be very handy in reference books and large cookbooks. That it sticks out at both ends is a definite plus. It can't slip down between the pages and get lost, and it's a pretty thing to admire briefly when all the breading falls off the tofu.

P.

[kate_nepveu]

thanks! and I'm very glad to hear that the snowflake bookmark is both practical and pleasing.

[thawrecka]

It's very pretty!

[kate_nepveu]

thank you!

[silveraspen]

That is beautiful. Nicely done!

[kate_nepveu]

thanks!

[ironed_orchid]

It's really lovely.

[kate_nepveu]

thanks! I had some mixed feelings about it during the process but now that it's done I'm pretty happy with it.

[readinggeek451]

Gorgeous!

[kate_nepveu]

thanks!

Purple and green

[jesse_the_k]

...is my favorite color combo, and your choices are perfect.

Re: Purple and green

[kate_nepveu]

the palette was chosen by the designer, I just rearranged some of the locations slightly.

[clevermanka]

Wow that's beautiful!

[kate_nepveu]

thanks!

[justhuman]

Beautiful - your stitches look great

[kate_nepveu]

thanks so much! I was very perfectionist about them, so that's nice to hear.

[skygiants]

Wow, that's your first project? Extremely impressive! :O

[kate_nepveu]

thanks! but, I mean, I was familiar with some of these stitches from cross-stitch, so it wasn't quite starting from zero (though possibly it was a little ambitious, regardless).

[annew]

That looks really great!