Just a brief post to update you on progress on the goldwork project. I'll also try to answer some questions...
I've embroidered around the stem and made it to the wavy parts.
By this time, I've already switched to split stitch in the darker green along the inside edge of the stem. I'm working in longer split stitches, in lines, and as I work the next line next to the previous to fill up the area, I stagger where I place the split stitch so that I don't get any obvious ridges in the stitching.
Underneath the yellow felt turn-overs, you can see that I've worked some long and short stitches in the darker green. I'll fill the waves with long and short stitch, bringing the color in the wave sections down to meet the main stem, following the "curl" of the wave for stitch direction.
Now, to answer some questions:
What size is the piece? The piece is exactly the size of the PDF print-out on the original pattern - it's smaller than six inches all around, I believe - just slightly smaller. Many of the photos are close-ups, which can give an incorrect perspective on size. I'm using one strand of silk Soie d'Alger, though, which is about the size of one strand (taken from the six) of regular DMC embroidery floss. Most of the gold threads I'm using are relatively small in diameter; for example, I'm using a #4 smooth passing thread, which is one of the smaller sizes of smooth passing.
Have I gotten to the point of losing interest? I haven't lost any interest in this project at all, the whole time I've been stitching it! The green stem did seem a bit tedious time-wise to fill up, but it was easy, relaxing stitching, so it didn't really bother me. The whole time I've been working on the project, I've been looking towards the end, eager to finish and see if I really like the finished product!
How long do I let a project go stale before pitching it? If I've stopped working on a project, it is usually because I've lost interest in it, or because something else that is of more interest to me comes along. If I've lost interest in it - if I got out of it what I wanted and can't force myself to take it up with any pleasure, then I have no problem boxing it up. I'll keep it - sometimes for a very long while - on the chance that it may pique my interest again, which often happens. If I'm working on something that I realize I really can't stand and will never finish, I try to find someone else who might be interested in it. I don't like the idea of chucking something if any expense has gone into it, that's for sure. And what I don't like, someone else may like very much, so I always think it's worthwhile trying to find someone who might want the cast-off! If it's a case of something else coming along that is of more interest, I pretty much know I'll get back to the first project - it gets relegated to my "current projects" basket, and normally, I'll end up trading it out now and then just to add variety to my stitching routine.
But instead of hearing my take on this, it would be interesting to hear what everyone else does? A reader asked how long I keep a project around if I've lost interest in stitching it. What do you do?
Finally, just an observation - the photo above is the 100th photo in this series covering the goldwork pomegranate! I had no idea I had published that many photos for this project!!
Next time I post on this project, I'll have some better up-close photos, and we'll chat a bit about long and short stitch and split stitch and so forth!
For previous posts on this goldwork embroidery project, please visit the following links:
Stylized Pomegranate Pattern used for this project
Setting up the Project on a Frame
Preparing the Ground Fabric with Felt Padding
Selecting Colors of Silk for the Project
The Stitching Begins - SIlk Shading
Continuing the silk shading - the left side
Finishing the silk shading
The Goldwork Begins: Smooth Passing Thread
Check Thread for Outlining
Chip Work Filling with Check Purl
Outlining with Stretched Pearl Purl
Filling the Bowl with Passing Thread
Finishing the Tips with Passing Thread
Finishing the Fruit
Beginning the Stem
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