This morning, Title Creativity is out the window! After ten minutes of staring at the computer screen hoping an ingenious title for this post would simply emerge from somewhere… “thingamabob” crept in, and I knew it was going to be One of Those Saturdays.

Here’s a quick update on my miniature Cluny piece, which is a kit from microStitchery. This past week has been riddled with 15-minute bursts of stitching on the miniature Cluny piece, and overall, the progress isn’t too bad.

I’ve been working the project in continental tent stitch, as this is what was recommended by the designer. A couple stitchers much more adept at needlepoint than I (I haven’t done a whole lot of needlepoint or canvas work in my life…) suggested that I switch to working a basketweave tent stitch. There’s a good explanation of all the different types of tent stitch – half cross, continental, and basketweave – and also the different directions they can be worked in – on Threadneedle Street’s website. Just look under “Stitches” and you’ll find a whole array of charted diagrams on the different types of tent stitch.

Anyway, I thought about switching to basketweave, but then I realized that I better just stick with what I’m doing, since that’s what I started with. I don’t want any warping when this comes off the frame, and I figure the designer knows what she’s talking about. Next time, I’ll try basketweave.

You can see on the left side of the design where I need to make an adjustment in the pattern, to compensate for the counting error I made in the lower section of the design. I’ll be adding three more rows of the red (burgundy) down the left side, and then again on the right side, to keep things even. I thought about adjusting the curve on the black background, but in fact, I decided against that. When compensating for a mistake like this – yes, it’s a mistake! and I don’t mind admitting it!! – my thought is to keep the compensation as simple as possible! Otherwise, I could end up making matters worse!

My favorite part of the design so far is definitely the gown on the lady – the blue sleeve, the burgundy patterned robe with the white trim, and the checkered bodice. Her hands look a bit bizarre, but you’re seeing the overhang of the threads from the waste knot there, and that will be covered up once the background is in.

Incidentally, the source of my counting error is right at the base of her gown, between the gown and the edge of the organ. That should have been about 3 stitches less in the black. So that shift in the pattern is between the lady and the organ.

To keep the figures in the design correct, I’m leaving the background stitching (black, burgundy, and little flower bunches) until last in each section, and working the figures as they are charted. There will be a small difficulty when I work the organ up around the hands, because that’s where those two figures meet. In order to make sure it works out right, I’ll stitch the body of the organ, and get in all the “outlines” so that it fits in the right space, but then I will make adjustments at the keyboard, where her hands rest. That’ll probably take a little fiddling, but it doesn’t look like it will be too big of a deal.

This project is trundling along more rapidly than I thought it would, which is a good indication that the 15 minutes concept works!

This weekend, I’ll be stitching a bit more on the wool Pomegranate Corners project (on Sunday, most likely), and I’ll also be setting up some… well, we’ll call it “craft stitching” projects that I’ll be working with some kids in the next couple weeks. I’ll share that with you! If my plans for the projects work out, then I’ll also be reviewing a cutting machine that I’m using, and providing you with some neat little patterns and tips for needle and thread, fabric and paper related crafts.

I hope you have a terrific weekend, and that you get in some quality time with your needle and thread! (What are you working on??! Anything exciting? Feel free to share your project, and, if you blog about it or have photos online somewhere, share a link!)

See you tomorrow!