Himotaba - Update

 It's nearing the end of the month and I figure I should post something besides the TUSAL report. 

Since last posting Himotaba, a lot has happened. I'd been trying to stitch on Eternal Grace, but was really struggling. I decided to put her on hold and concentrate on completing the cords, as that would have been the correct order. I brought my piece to Margaret for extra guidance and we went through it cord by cord. 

I learned a better way to taper cord padding, so it and the stitching over it came out and was redone. This tapering technique will be useful for goldwork and English whitework.

Made an excellent attempt at the imitation wicker effect, realized that I used the wrong gold. I meant to use the white gold, so it had to come out.

Made multiple attempts at the single central braid in both twisted and flat silk. I knew exactly what needed to be done but could not get it to work. I finally had to sit down and just do it as best as I could. Whatever I did will just have to be good enough. 

I guess it worked because I got a "looks good" from Margaret and was finally able to move on. I guess I just needed to loosen up. Funnily enough, the double central braid was so much easier to do than the single central braid.

The wicker effect (in wheat) was also re-stitched. Margaret's method gives a nicer "raised" effect. The last bit I did this weekend was restart the single central braid with the flat silk. Again, it's not perfect but at least it looks pretty.

At this point, the only cords that haven't been re-touched are the imitation wicker in flat silk, rein effect and double central braid in twisted silk. We have a class in less than two weeks, I need to at least re-attempt the double central braid in twisted silk to get some feedback. The twist in that one is a little tricky.