Ribbon Christmas Sampler - Updated 2/19/24

February 19, 2024--Picked this up from the pillow fabricator a few days ago and can't wait to display it under the tree at Christmas.  

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Finished

January 5, 2024--Ta da--first finish in 2024.  For the most part, I loved stitching these Christmas ribbons.  Each one was a challenge on to itself with tons of compensation, composite stitches, interesting techniques, designs, etc. 

Ribbon 2 did give me some issues, however.  The designer suggested the wreaths and bows be stitched last after everything else was done.  I now understand why she made that suggestion.  If I had stitched the wreaths immediately after finishing Ribbon 2, I probably would have given up on the project out of absolute frustration.  Trying to place the wreaths on top of the white ribbon worked up in a diagonal stitch made it nearly impossible to figure out where to place the stitches for the wreaths.  It took lots of eyeballing and ripping out.  The red bows done in a daisy stitch weren't much better.   I'm not happy with how those bows look but stay they will (a syntax nod to Yoda).  

My favorite ribbons are 7 and 13.  Both took some serious concentration, and I love how they turned out.   You may notice that ribbon 4 looks crooked on the canvas due to the back and forth of the design elements.  The spaces between the ribbons were stitched with white and pale green thread to make it recede while the background of the poinsettia is done in all white.  An interesting effect.  The edge of the design is stitched with 2 rows of continental red thread to match the pillow fabric.  

Now off to the pillow fabricator

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Completed

November 2, 2023--All but two ribbons are now completed (ribbons three and four) out of 16 (stitched ribbons one, six, seven and eight since my last blog post).  After that there's the background to stitch in basketweave as well as some outlining of ribbons, and adding wreaths to ribbon number two.    Still plenty to keep me busy on this project for a few more months.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler 14 Ribbons Completed

October 12, 2023--All the horizontal ribbons are stitched as well as two vertical ones for a total of ten ribbons.  Six more to go.  I love the depth each ribbon has due to the composite nature of each one.  Some of the ribbons require up to 8 different combinations of threads and stitches to complete.  I plan on making a box pillow with this, so will add 2 extra rows of continental stitching around the edges so no canvas will show at the pillow's edge.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler 10 Ribbons Completed

October 3, 2023--A total of 8 ribbons have now been stitched following the order given in the instructions.  Now I can stitch the next 8 ribbons in any order I choose.  I'm thoroughly enjoying this project due to the complexity and variety of the stitches.   Now, will I get it done by Christmas of 2024?  It certainly won't be this year.  LOL.  

August 3, 2023--Ribbons 2 and 13 are now stitched.  Ribbon 2 will have little wreaths added to it at the end.  The plaid worked up in Ribbon 13 is very different from any other I've done.  Instead of working the design horizontally, it was stitched diagonally using back stitches.   I found it easiest to work up one color at a time in all 5 areas.  It was fun to see the pattern develop.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Ribbons 2 and 13 Completed

July 25, 2023--The next step in this project called for ribbons 12, 14 and 16 to be stitched, so that's what I did.  Mindy English's graphs are wonderful.  She charts out each section of a ribbon which shows all the compensation stitches required.  Easy peasy.   I really like the bottom ribbon consisting of small red flowers.  This ribbon, along with many others, will be outlined when they are all done.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Ribbons 12, 14, 16 Completed

July 12, 2023--Just finished stitching the poinsettia located in the upper right corner of this Christmas ribbon project.  There's lots of dimension in the petals and leaves which surprised me.  I even learned a new stitch--Colonial Knot placed in the poinsettia center.  This stitch used two strands of two different colors of Perle 5 thread.  Bulky but effective.

The background of the square is stitched in basketweave.  I'll save this for when I'm at various stitch-ins where I'll want to socialize more than concentrate on the project at hand.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Poinsettia Completed

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Pointsettia Completed Closeup

June 22, 2023--While at my EGA Brandywine Chapter's stitch-in earlier this month, I was able to peruse items from the estate of a past member and take home a delightful, counted project called Christmas Ribbon Sampler designed by Mindy English, copyrighted in 1995.  This is a large piece stitched on 15" x 15" 14 count canvas and a wonderful stash buster using many skeins of DMC reds and greens.    I just completed the first step of outlining the ribbon widths with basting thread.  Whew--that was a large job and required lots of counting.  Now that's done, I plan on getting started with the upper right corner poinsettia.   Stay tuned.

Ribbon Christmas Sampler Basting

Spring Sampler - Updated 9/17/24

September 17, 2024--Won a 1st Place Ribbon in the Canvaswork/Needlepoint category at Rehoboth Beach Museum's 12th Annual Needlework Exhibition in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  So pleased.

February 18, 2024--Picked this up from the pillow fabricator yesterday and love how it looks sitting on an extra dining room chair.  The colors work perfectly with the furniture, wall paint and draperies. 

Spring Sampler Finished into a Pillow

Spring Sampler Pillow on a Dining Room Chair

January 22, 2024--The stitching is complete on all 21 bands.  Loved working on this project and I especially love the colors.  Next step is to meet with my pillow fabricator to determine what color will look best for the pillow back and whether or not she'll need a few rows of tent stitches around the edge so the canvas won't show. 

Scroll to the very end to see a full list of my threads used for each band as compared to those used by Melita.  Hope you will find this helpful if you decide to stitch this wonderful piece.

Spring Sampler Completed

January 6, 2024--Now thirteen bands are done, and each one complements the other beautifully.  I'm putting this project away so I can continue stitching on it at EGA's CampWannastitch in Ocean City, MD.  Stay tuned.....

It's interesting how different rows 6 and 16 look from each other because of the way my window light hits the canvas at a slant.   When all the stitching is done, I'll find another way to photograph this piece so the light shines evenly on it.

Spring Sampler Bands 5 through 17 Completed

December 29, 2023--Eleven bands are now stitched, and I love the colors.  As we work from the center outwards (in this case, up and down), Bands 6 through 16 are done.  

Spring Sampler Bands 6 through 16 Completed

December 12, 2023--When I took the photo below on November 1 that shows a partially stitched Band 6, I stopped working on it to confirm with Melita, the project's designer, that the thread used was too bright and light.  She agreed, and I finally had an opportunity to purchase a new thread color from Waste Knot Needlepoint in Arlington, VA on November 20th on my way to Thanksgiving in Ohio.

Sampler Spring Border 6 Question

After looking at all the ribbon-like threads, nothing struck my fancy.  Finally, I found the color Mermaid, #5009, by Kreinik.  Size 16 Medium Braid and it works perfectly--and I love the sparkle.  So, I put away the RG Sparkle Rays PS68 Light Sage for use in a future project.  Of course, I had lots of "frogging" to do and tucking away of tail ends, but I got it done in no time. Here's the result.

Spring Sampler Bands 6 through 15 Completed

The next Band, number 16, uses the same colors and similar patterns as in Band 6, That will balance the project nicely.  

October 10, 2023--I've now stitched seven bands (8 through 14) on this delightful sampler (about one-third done).   I want to take this with me to the New Jersey Needlefest event that takes place in a week and a half, so I'll hold off on doing any more until then.

Spring Sampler Bands 8 through 14 Completed

October 5, 2023--I couldn't resist starting this project instead of waiting for the class that begins later this month.  Melita's instructions are wonderful, so I haven't had any problems so far.

We are instructed to start with Row 11, the center row, then work our way north and south.  So that's what I've done, then I added the top and bottom Rows 10 and 12.  The colors are developing into an interesting combination.  Now I'm really looking forward to adding more rows to see how the colors play together.

Spring Sampler, Rows 10, 11, 12

September 9, 2023--I recently signed up to take Melita Glavin's Spring Sampler project (photo below) through my local EGA chapter at Brandywine (near Wilmington, DE).   This is an award-winning piece designed by Melita and I'm very excited to begin working on it.  

But first, choosing the threads.  This could have been a daunting task if it weren't for the fact that Melita, and her friend, chapter mate and stitcher extraordinaire, Linda M., were willing to meet with a few of us at Fireside Stitchery in Malvern, PA, only a 2.5-hour drive for me from southern Delaware.

I brought some fabric swatches and a paint sample with me upon which I would base my project's color palate.  Linda M. volunteered to work with me and I'm so glad she has the patience of a saint.  I just couldn't imagine how her suggestions would look and kept her constantly finding alternatives.   But in the end, everything came together and I'm very happy with the colors chosen.  Melita was also consulted on some of the color choices and thread substitutions and offered invaluable assistance.  All in all, a very fun day (almost as much fun as going to the casino).

My color palate (fabric and paint swatches from my living and dining rooms are on the right)

Spring Sampler Thread List Revised

And best photo of all--Melita's project photo (hers is done in purple):

Spring Sampler designed and stitched by Melita Glavin--Project Photo

Class will be held towards the end of October, but I may not be able to wait that long to start.

Thread List by Band and Stitch

2 comments:

MelitaJanuary 5, 2024 at 9:48 PM0

It's coming along really nicely. Love the new darker thread in Bands 6 and 16. Perfect! Can't wait to see it in person on the 17th. Don't forget to bring it!

Reply

Brenda M. CôtéJanuary 6, 2024 at 10:25 AM

Thanks Melita. I'll bring it to the meeting on the 17th and also to Camp Wannastitch.

Pillows - Three Very Old Ones - 2/8/2020

February 8, 2020--A few days ago I was telling someone about some old needlepointed pillows I stitched in the 1980s and discovered I had no pictures to show.  I'm taking care of that by writing about them here for "historical" purposes.

The first is a Jane Rainbow Design, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire called Rona stitched in cream colored paternayan  yarn and cotton perle.  I love this design and kept the instructions so it may be stitched again.

Pillow Rona by Jane Rainbow Design

 

The second pillow is a Bucilla Needlepoint Pillow Kit called "Classique".  I've stitched this twice--the first in a cream color (the pillow is no longer available--lost to wear and tear), and the second in a pale blue color using acrylic crewel yarn.

Pillow Classique Bucilla Needlepoint Kit

The last pillow I still have is a pattern from Maggie Lane's book called Needlepoint by Design:  Variations on Chinese Themes.  Unfortunately I no longer have this book.  I will keep an eye out for someone giving this book away--I would like to stitch more of the pillows offered.

Pillow Maggie Lane from Needlepoint by Design:  Variations on Chinese Themes

These were fun projects to work on while watching television and their classic designs still look wonderful in my home.

Woven Ribbons and Lace Pillow - Updated 9/14/19

September 14, 2019--Just learned this piece garnered a 2nd place ribbon at the Rehoboth Beach Museum's 9th Annual Needlework Exhibit.   Thank you Jane Nichols for such a beautiful design.

August 25, 2019--After 5 years since the stitching of this project was completed, I finally had this made into a box pillow.  It really came out nice.

Ribbons Woven Finished into a Box Pillow

September 14, 2014--Done!   Just finished stitching the last ribbon, number 9 (vertical ribbon on the far right).  Next--will talk with my upholsterer to see which type of pillow should be made--knife edge or box?

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 9

September 8, 2014--Finished stitching Ribbon 7 and have only one more to go.  The last ribbon, number 9, is a lacy type of pattern using multiple colors, so will probably take some time to complete.   This really is a fun project.

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 7

September 3, 2014--Counting down--two more ribbons to stitch.  Below is a picture of my progress to date.  Ribbon G and all horizontal ribbons are done.

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon G

August 24, 2014--Ribbon F done.  Three more to go!

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon F

August 20, 2014--Only 4 more ribbons to stitch.  Below is a picture of the most recent completion--ribbon 4.  

Most of the background of this project is stitched with Paternayan yarn, color #500.  I ran out of this color and, after making a few calls, was unable to find more.  I began to panic (just a little) and then remembered I still have some Paternayan threads purchased over 30 years ago, lovingly stored for all these years.  After digging through this stash, I found a color very, very close to what I was using and, after stitching 3 small squares, am pleased that the color variance is hardly noticeable.  Can you find the color difference?

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 4

August 7, 2014--Stitched two more ribbons--B and C.   That's going to be it for awhile--lots of life to live over the next few weeks.  Looking forward to completing this project--only 5 more ribbons to go.  

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon C

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon B

August 2, 2014--Ribbon 2 done.  Seems to be stitching up a lot faster now that the lacy ribbons are done.  I also like working on the background where possible--the basketweave stitching is relaxing.

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 2

July 28, 2014--Ribbon 8 is complete.   Have stitched a total of 10 ribbons so far, over half done with 8 left to go.  

Ribbons Woven, Ribbon 8

July 21, 2014--Ribbon 1 finished.  This project is coming along nicely.

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon 1

July 15, 2014--Another ribbon done--Ribbon D.  Should have stitched this ribbon before completing Ribbon 6.  May have to fix this later.  Now that all the ribbons with extended sides are stitched, can work on any ribbon that strikes my fancy, or work them in rows, or columns, or.......

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon D

July 13, 2014--The photograph below shows Ribbon 6 is now done.  I also stitched in a few of the background blocks to see how I liked the color.  Looks good to me.  Next up--Ribbon D.  

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon 6

July 4, 2014--Happy Independence Day!!!  

Delaware's Seashore Chapter led this class in May, so I pulled it out of the WIP pile a few days ago and completed Ribbon H.  Next up--Ribbon 6.

Woven Ribbons, Ribbon H

December 8, 2013--I'm putting this project away until the Delaware's Seashore Chapter has its class in April, 2014.  I started it early so that my sister could see what it was all about while visiting her in Dallas, TX before Thanksgiving.   I've completed 5 ribbons and learned the hard way that I should have done the ribbons in the following order:  (vertical ribbons are numbered 1 through 9, horizontal ribbons are lettered A through I) A, E, I, 3 then 5. Instead, I stitched E, 3 and 5 before beginning A and I.  I had to rip out portions of ribbons 3 and 5 to make room for the extended edges of ribbons A and I.

The next ribbons will be D, H then 6.  I should be able to stitch the rest of the ribbons, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, B, C, F and G in any order I please since their edges don't overlap other ribbons (I think).   Below is a picture of my progress to date:

November 21, 2013--Have completed two more ribbons, 3 and 5.  Only 15 more to go.



Ribbon 3

Ribbon 3 Closeup

Ribbon 5

November 17, 2013--The first of 18 ribbons is done. This is Ribbon E. Because its edge extends into other ribbons, it and some others must be done first. 

Ribbon E Closeup

Ribbon E

November 10, 2013--Finished marking the ribbon positions by basting with thread instead of a #4 pencil.   It turned out to be much easier counting with a needle and thread instead of starting and stopping the pencil.  I basted the horizontal lines first, then the vertical.  Once I got the count correct on the first line, the rest was easy to copy.

Lines set up using basting thread

August 30, 2013--Have begun working on the Woven Ribbons and Lace pillow designed by Jane Nichols which the Delaware's Seashore Chapter will have as its April, 2014 class.  This wonderful project can be found in the May/June 1999 Needlepoint Now magazine.  I chose the blue and rust version and all threads have been purchased or pulled from stash and entered into my Threads Database.

Since this is a counted stitch project, the ribbon widths must first be drawn on the 18 count canvas with a #4 pencil.  Have begun laying out the groundwork below.  Will also print out the graphs for each ribbon in such a size that can be easily attached to the canvas with a magnet while stitching.  As you can see, there are 9 vertical ribbons and there will be 9 horizontal ribbons (only 3 are drawn in so far).

Bargello Techniques - Updated 8/23/19

August 23, 2019--Can't believe it's been 5 years since I completed the stitching on this project.  So rather than let more years fly by, I bought some fabric, foam, cording, etc. and then, instead of working this up into a box pillow myself, took it to my local fabricator.  Love the results.

Bargello Techniques Finished into a Box Pillow

May 2, 2014--Fini!  The last two sections, 7 and 8, are complete and this project is now ready to be made into a box pillow.  If I can find an upholsterer who will sell me the right sized piece of foam, I'll make the pillow myself.  I really enjoyed working on this and learned so much about bargello, especially when it comes to moving from one section to another--merging your patterns, so to speak.  The instruction manual is truly an excellend resource.  Thanks Liz for offering this course through ANG!

Bargello Techniques Through Section 8

Bargello Techniques Section 8 Closeup

Bargello Techniques Section 7 Closeup

March 30, 2014--Section 6 is complete and the missing stitches on Section 5 filled in.  Love how it reminds me of a kaleidoscope.

Discovered that I was 2 threads off at the bottom of Section 5 and used Liz's trick of doing the fill-in stitches over 6 threads (instead of the usual 4) to make Sections 5 and 6 meet.  Liz did this at the bottom of Section 6 to meet Section 3.  Worked beautifully.

Bargello Techniques Through Section 6

Bargello Techniques Section 6 Closeup

January 30, 2014--Section 5 is mostly done.  I'll complete the bottom after I begin Section 6--wanting to be sure of my count.  Must now put this project down for a few months due to other commitments, but look forward to working on it again.

Bargello Techniques Through Section 5

Bargello Techniques Section 5 Closeup

January 5, 2014--Section 4 is now done and I've reached the half-way point.  The instruction manual by Liz Morrow for this project is chock full of information and will make a wonderful reference for future bargello work.  I see all kinds of bargello designs by moi in the future.

Bargello Techniques Through Section 4

Bargello Techniques Section 4 Closeup

December 27, 2013--Just finished Section 3 and moved my horizontal and diagonal basting lines by 2 canvas threads to correct the error I made in Section1 (discussed below).

I'm not sure if I've miscounted, but had to make a small change in the instructions for Section 3 regarding what stitch to do first.  It isn't much of a change--all I did was move the basting indicator (small dot at top of Diagram 27) over 1 thread to the left (this change now agrees with the basting line for Section 2).  After doing so, I then began my stitching 1 thread over to the right.  Now everything fits where it's supposed to (see photo below showing these changes in the instructions).  Still enjoying this project immensely.  The next section is large and looks like fun to do.  Hope to start working on it soon.

Bargello Techniques Section 3 Closeup

Bargello Techniques Through Section 3

Change in Section 3 Instructions

December 18, 2013--Section 2 is done.  This was a large section to complete, but once the pattern was set up, it was a dream to stitch and didn't take long.  Love those over 4 stitches.  Liz suggested trying different color patterns, but I chose to stick with the plan since I'm not sure there would be enough thread to do something different.  Anyway, I love the color pattern as designed--it's a treat for the eyes.

PS--Since Section 1 was started "upside down", I inadvertently began two threads down from where I should have, so now I need to rebaste Sections 3 - 8.  Not a big problem and glad I realized what happened.  I'll just need to add two threads of stitching to the top of Sections 4 and 5 to equal Section 1.  You can see in my picture of Section 1 Closeup that there's an extra row of 2 threads stitched on the top.

Section 2 Closeup

Complete Through Sectiok 2

December 9, 2013--I'm loving this project!  So far all of the basting has been done to mark off the sections (hard to see in the picture--used very light pink thread) and Section 1 is complete.

The shop where I purchased my threads did not have Silk & Ivory as recommended by Liz, so they suggested Planet Earth and Vineyard Silks.  The lightest and darkest of my threads are Planet Earth and they cover beautifully.  Perfect for this project.  The Vineyard Silks...not so much.  Others have written on the class Yahoo Group List, confirming this is NOT a good substitution (thanks Melita for your photo).  However, in an email to the group, Liz suggested a "looser twist" or tension if using threads that cover less well, so I'm doing that with pretty good success.  The picture below was taken at a slight angle and, because my tension is loose, there's a loft in the threads, so the coverage looks good (for the most part).   Since I don't have an LNS, I'm sort of stuck with the thread purchases I made before I learned of this problem.

I really liked Liz's suggestion to begin the pattern in the middle, dividing the thread in half, working one side from the middle to the right, then the other side from the middle to the left.  My thread skeins were easily cut into 40" lengths, so this was perfect.  Had no waste knot to start and just enough tail on each end to bury into threads on the back.  Since I used only half of the length for each side, there was less drag and wear on the thread through the canvas.

Bargello Techniques Section 1 Closeup

This is a huge project--on 18 x 22 stretcher bars.  Will have to be extra careful not to knock over my glass of wine.

Bargello Techniques Section 1

November 20, 2013--Just purchased my threads for this project... was unable to find Silk & Ivory as recommended by Liz.  However, the wonderful personnel at Creative Stitches in Dallas, TX (where I'm currently visiting my sister) suggested Vineyard Silks and/or Planet Earth Silks.  Below is a picture of my color choices.   The instruction manual has already arrived in the mail and am looking forward to starting the class on December 1st.



Bargello Techniques Color Palette and Threads

September 9, 2013--Have just signed up to take Liz Morrow's Bargello Techniques Correspondence Course through ANG's CyberPointers Chapter.  I love bargello and have had few opportunities to really learn about these types of stitches.  Liz is a wonderful designer of needlepoint bargello and am keeping an eye on certain of her new projects hoping she'll offer them as classes in the near future.

See the tab above called In Process Projects for a project photo done by Liz for the class.