I didn’t get much stitching done this weekend.

I take that back. I got a lot of stitching done this weekend, but I got even more unstitching done. It was one of those this-is-going-nowhere sorts of weekends, as far as stitching goes.

I’ll tell you about it, share some of the reasons why things went amuck, and talk about some ideas and resources on this Jacobean whitework-on-blue project that I’m working on right now (and that I introduced to you here).

First, I’ll start with the apology for the bad photography. I didn’t have a decent camera alongside me, and the lighting was bad, anyway. I didn’t take any real progress pictures, but I did snap a few photos with my phone after many trials and errors, when I finally decided enough was enough.

So what you see here is a small element worked in very padded satin stitch using floche. To the left of that, I started working in a couple rows of stem stitch in coton a broder.

And that’s all well and fine.

It was the element below the lattice work in the photo above – the element that looks like it was stitched about ten times and ripped out again, because it was – that was the problem.

Right in here is what I’m talking about.

If I could eye roll for you right now, I would! Looking at that area at this point makes me cringe.

This is the thing: I got ahead of myself when I first start stitching on this project, because I was excited to start. I started with the area that I wanted to do first, that stood out in my mind as “fun.”This was the lattice on the central stylized element of the design.

I wanted to work a very crisp lattice filling there, anchored with tiny detached chain stitches. So I did.

I didn’t give any thought to what was going to go around that area.

Well, it’s very difficult to get a nice, smooth edge on anything solid, if you’re having to stitch around a bunch of lattice stitches and tiny chain stitches. It all gets in the way. That lattice work should have gone in last.

I knew it, but I didn’t heed my own head’s warnings when I jumped in, because I was eager.

Lesson learned.

I will probably take the lattice work out, work everything around that area, and then put it back in.

There’s a good chance I might even start this whole piece over again. It turns out that the blue fabric I’m using is no longer available. I don’t want to stitch something on a fabric that you can’t get, if you want to stitch the thing, too. We shall see! I’m contemplating…

Good Books to Have on Hand

I dug out a few books to set on my table next to me while I’m working this project.

Having some good resources at hand is a good way to glean inspiration while working through a project like this. It’s also nice to have some reference material close by, if I want some help deciding on stitches, techniques, placement, and so forth.

The three books I have on hand – all three of which I’ve reviewed here on Needle ‘n Thread – are listed below. The links will take you to my reviews.

Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters

RSN Essential Stitch Guide: Whitework

A-Z of Whitework – this isn’t as thorough a review of the book, but it will give you an idea of what it’s about.

All three books are excellent books to have on hand for whitework embroidery.

The monogram book is more specific to monogramming, but the techniques involved – especially the various methods of padding, of achieving smooth results in satin stitching, deciding on stitch slant and so forth – are all relevant to any kind of whitework. It’s a gem of a book, and it’s one that I can’t recommend enough. I think it’s “running out” on its current print run, so if you haven’t invested in it yet and you have a penchant for this kind of stitching, I’d definitely get it now.

Between the other two, I’d think I’d go for the RSN Stitch Guide over the A-Z book, if I had to make a choice. They both have excellent instruction in them. For some reasons, I like the RSN one a little better. It’s hard to make a choice between those two, actually.

All three books are listed on my Amazon Recommendations page right now, right at the top, if you’re in the market for some good whitework instructional books.

I have a two hour slot in my schedule today for stitching. Keep your fingers crossed that I can make good use of it and make up time after this weekend’s debacle!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

This article includes an affiliate link to my Amazon Recommendations page, which means that any purchases made through that link will result in a small commission for Needle ‘n Thread at no added cost to you. Every little bit helps keep the website going! Thanks!