Every year, I take time off between Christmas and New Years. It usually gives me about two full weeks off and I spend a lot of time stitching when I'm not being dragged outside by my family for my own good. This year due to COVID, we had nowhere to go! I like to give myself goals and the two projects I selected were Jen Goodwin's Colorwheel and Hiogi.
I would alternate between the two pieces. In the morning, I would stitch on Hiogi to take advantage of the light. As this piece is big, I concentrated on the fan handle which is stitched in couched gold threads.
(click on the post to see the animation below)
That took way more time than I expected. I was hoping to complete the handle and work on the cherry blossom but that will have to wait for another time. I still have to plunge the threads but that will be done at a later date.
In the evenings, I would spend my time working on the Colorwheel. This piece stitched up very fast and I was hoping for a 2020 finish. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. I ran out of the purl pearl that is couched around the entire piece.
(click on the post to see the animation below)
Here's a close up of the intersecting areas. I wanted a true weave, so the couched purl pearl go over and under. A little something I picked up in my Islamic geometry classes.
Right now this piece is sitting on the side while I wait for more purl pearl to complete it.
Japanese embroidery never progresses as fast as you hope but looks so fabulous when finushed. Your Hiogi is coming along really well. Loved the Colour wheel piece pity about the purl purl so near and yet so far! Beautiful stitching as always.
ReplyDeleteThe pearl purl is a beautiful detail, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteTwo stunning pieces, you obviously enjoyed your time on them both. Interesting about the "over and under" for the purl, that's a technique I think of for Celtic knotwork! It's just very pleasing to look at.
ReplyDeleteWow, both of your projects look amazing! Great job. That handle looks massive, no wonder it took a lot of time.
ReplyDeleteCan we please stop with all the blinky imagines as it makes reading the blog very difficult to read. I am going to have to stop following your blog if this continues.
ReplyDelete