I love hand-dyed embroidery floss. Truthfully, the first time I bought it, I bought it because I thought it would be “better” then the DMC I grew up with. This may be true and I haven’t taken the time to research why it may be “better”. What I did realize after using it was that it felt more like the fabric I was stitching it into.

IThe traditional DMC floss I used to use “way back when” was always very silky and shiney. It slides through the fabric and really stands out. This is great when you are creating an all embroidered project, but my current project is a quilt. The hand dyed threads I have purchased are 100% cotton, just like my fabric. They may not slip through my fabric as easily as DMC, but they blend so well.

My quilt shop carries the Crescent Colours brand and my cross stiching store carries Simply Shaker. The cost is about $2.75 for about 5 yards; as compared to DMC where you get 8.75 yards for about a $1. The neatest thing I have noticed is the wonderful colors hand-dyed threads come in. The hand dying creates a slightly verigated look, but the transitions are so smooth you barely notice. It makes your stitching look very natural. The colors are very vibrant and diverse.

Try it for your next project. Spend the extra at least one time to see the difference.

There are several types of stitches that the whitework artist can use. The most common is the traditional quilting stitch. Others include:

• Cording – technique that involves stitching two parrallel lines and inserting a cord between them. Cording not only gives a raised sculpture look, it also adds stiffness to the area.
• Trapunto – also known as stuffed quilting, is when a design is stitched and then stuffed from the back. Trapunto adds a raised effect to the design; the amount the area is stuffed will determine the amount of the raised effect or the stiffness of the area.  Trapunto is accomplished using a backing or lining fabric.
• Candlewicking - this style gets it name from the type of thread used.  To candlewick you need to use a thicker thread, about the size of a candle wick.  Embroidery and quilting done with this thick thread creates texture to the design.  Most candlewicked designs use knotting or stem stiches.
• Drawn Work – also referred to as pulled fabric or hardanger embroidery; this is when some of the threads of the fabric are cut and pulled out after a section has been stitched.  This creates a see-through area, resembling lace.
• Stumpwork - a typle of stitching and embroidery where figures are 3 dimentional; raised from the surface.  For example, a design using a flower that has the petals 3-D; of raised off the surface: stumpworked.

I finished me first Hardanger Embroidered coaster.  It did not take very much time, but my time has been short this week; so it took me longer than it should have.

It came out OK.  There were a few slipped stitches and I am not sure if I cut it out right.  Plus, my tension wasn’t consistant.  It is hard to tell by the picture, but some of the needle weaving was tight and the beginning was loose.  I may throw this one away as a practice piece and do it over again. 

I love the project and it is very delicate, but I don’t know if it will fit my family’s lifestyle.  It looks a bit funny with a BK cup on it.

This week has been very busy house hunting.  My husband has been a great sport visiting the different builders and manufacturers; and gathering all the information.  Our research is piling up.  I think we have it narrowed down, but we are still looking at all the options.  We want to make the best decision we can. 

I have wanted to upgrade our living arrangements for close to 8 years ~ I am so excited that we are this close.  In 6 months I should be in a new home, a bigger home ~ but still no sewing room.   It is not in the budget; BUT, my son is 14 and I already plan on taking over his room once he moves out!  ha ha ha.

Last night I finally had a chance to start on the Hardanger Embroidery.  I made a good start of it.  This much was completed during two sittings; last night and tonight.  It is really fun to work on something different.  I haven’t cross stitched or embroidered in about four years, so it was a good change.  I really like the pattern too.  It is very delicate and pretty.  Not sure if it will be a functional coaster, though.  The pattern book is easy to follow and gives detailed instructions.

For all you Moms out there I have to share the latest antics from the kids:

My son and nephew were watching my four year old playing on the Xbox.  They set it up and put in all the cheat codes so she couldn’t lose.  They are ten years older and it is hard to watch a four year old play a game, so shortly after they were bored and went in the other room to play something else.  Needless to say, the little one threw a fit.  After Daddy telling her to calm down and explaining that they don’t want to watch anymore.  She quietly went to her room; drew a picture of herself sad and crying; folded it up and slid it under her brother’s door.  She then turned around, with her chin up and went to Grandma’s to visit.

I was LMAO!!!  She can’t read or write, but she will draw out her feelings.  Just like anyother battling sibling, my son crumbled it up and threw it away ~ sorry I can’t show it to you.