Thursday, November 29, 2012

Chapter 4 - Zigsag Stitch and Automatic Pattterns

Piece #1   -     zigzag stitch with changes in the width of the stitch -  the length remains static (2) in a middle range
Fabric – bridal satin – painted with transfer paints using Sample #2  - started out with a 5” by 5 “ and finished with a piece was width 4 ½ by length 4 ¾ inches. 
Stabilizer -  piece of white kunin felt and a piece of medium weight pillow (Vilene)
Threads -   (#1)  WonderFil 100 % rayon embroidery 120d/2   Art# 3142 – Colour  # 4134 – dark green (bobbin thread – black polyester) 
                (#2)  WonderFil 100% rayon embroidery 120d/2  Art# 3142 – Colour  # 1149 – dark wine red (bobbin thread – black polyester)
                (#3)  100% rayon embroidery  120d/2  -  Colour – dark pink  -  # not noted on spool  (bobbin thread – pink)
                (#4)   100% rayon embroidery  120d/2  - Colour – light pink  -  # not noted on spool  (bobbin thread - pink)
I varied the width of the stitch from a straight line to the maximum width of 5.  In several instances, I varied the width from the top to the bottom of the piece and vice versa.  I did have problems with the tension, however, I decreased the top tension to 3 and this seemed to work well. 



Piece #2  -  zigzag stitch with changes in the length of the stitch – the width  (5) remains static
Fabric  -  black felt – started out with a width of 5” by 5” and finished with a piece width 4 ¼ by length 5 inches.
Stabilizer – black felt
Threads  -  (#1)  Korean Marathon thread – 100 % rayon -   colour # 2081  -  medium violet
                (#2)  Korean Marathon Thread – 100% rayon – colour # 2022 – orange yellow
                (#3)  Korean Marathon Thread – 100% rayon – colour # 2002 – yellow green
                Bobbin thread for all  -  polyester medium grey
I kept the tension at 3.  I kept the length of the stitch the same for each row.  I have no idea why I did that!!!!




Piece # 3 – Zigzag stitch with changes in the width and length of stitches
Fabric – Bridal satin – painted with transfer paints using Sample # 3  -  started out with a piece 5” by 5” and ended up with a piece 4 ¾ by 4 7/8 inches.
Stabilizer – white Kunin felt with a piece of medium weight pellon (Vilene) in the centre
Threads – (#1) – 100% rayon   AJ 8158 – Colour # 1155  - dark red wine
                (#2) – 100% rayon   -  same as #1 but has lost its label -  Colour  - Royal Blue
                (#3)  -  100% rayon embroidery 120d/2 – Colour – light yellow orange (lost colour label)
                Bobbin threads  -  used polyester threads  to match the top threads
I varied the lengths and widths.  I did have trouble with the tension when the length was below 1.0 when the stitches were close together and the bobbin threads were coming to the top.  I again loosened the tension which did help somewhat.  I was in extreme trouble with one of the centre yellow rows with the tension …..  in this case, the thread was wrapped around the spindle.   I really liked the narrow rows of zigzag when changing the width of the stitch.   I chose to leave the “windows" of the background fabric.





Piece # 4 – Automatic stitches with no changes in length or width.
Fabric – a piece of hand painted (fabric paints) duponi silk from my own stash -  started out with a piece 5” by 5” and ended up with a piece 4 ½ by 4 3/8 inches.
Stabilizer – white Kunin felt
Threads –   (#1) -   variegated 100 % Rayon 1200/2 from the Thread Studio – Colour – Carnivale
                (#2)  -  Bobbin thread – white polyester
I chose to make a picture frame using the various automatic stitches.  In several cases I did mirror images of stitches.  I also decided to use the lengths and widths programmed into the machine. Had fun with the centre flowers. I left bits out on purpose!!




Piece # 5  -  Automatic stitches with changes in length and width.
Fabric – hand painted piece of cotton using fabric paints – started out with a piece 5 “ by 5 “  and ended up with the measurements being 4 ¾ by 4 7/8 inches.
Stabilizer – white Kunin felt
Threads – (#1)  -  cotton polyester variegated thread – colour yellow to yellow orange.  Thread is from my stash and there was no label. 
                (#2)  -  bobbin thread – white polyester thread
The leaf stitch was used on the four outside edges varying the stitch length for each side.  As I worked the piece, I also changed the length throughout the row.  I did change the width whenever the programme allowed me to do so!!!  I also used the mirror image programme.  I liked the picture frame concept with each window image a different size!!!!   Also the stitching could be curtains with fancy ruffles!!!    I felt the two zigzag lines across the center were somewhat overwhelming.     






Piece # 6 -  Automatic stitches with changes in length and width.
Fabric / Stabilizer – This time I used a water soluble stabilizer – Ultra Solvy Weight – Heavy:    Colour – Translucent.   The original size was 4“ by 5” and the final piece was 3 ¼ by 4 ½ inches.
Threads – (#1) - 100% Rayon   1200/2  -  Colour  -  variegated  royal blue to turquoise  - Barrier Reef from Thread Studio
                (#1A) -  Bobbin thread -  100% polyester Gutermann  CA02776 – Colour # 260 – Royal Blue
                (#2) - 100% Polyester – variegated red to red orange (tones) – thread from my stash and there is no label
                (#2A) -  Bobbin thread – 100% polyester – Mettler Metrosene Plus  - Colour 601  - Red
                (#3) – 100% Rayon Marathon Korean Thread – FF 1200/2 KA 65565 – Colour # 2022 – yellow orange
                (#3A) -  Same as (#2A) – Red
Started with rows of automatic stitches   using the blue threads (#1) and programmed stitches for length and width.  Using the red threads (#2), I stitched automatic programmes diagonally covering approximately two thirds of the piece leaving two corners free.  Here the lengths of the stitches were varied.   I have just realized that I was increasing the stitch widths only where I could and I should have decreased them as well ….. which I did not!!!   Using the yellow/orange (#3) thread, I stitched three bands across the piece perpendicular to the one large red band.  To hold the outside edges together I used a narrow zigzag stitch in the blue (#1) thread to attempt to keep the piece together once I dissolved the stabilizer.  I did not block the final piece.    I like the lacy look and even the places where the stitches didn’t overlap and there are definite gaps!!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Distant Stitch Module 1 Chapter 2 Some Basics

Basics  -                                                                                                                       Page 1
            Sewing machine  -    Husquvana      Prisma A 950 S   1989 model
                        An excellent “work horse” machine with some fancy stitches


Threads  -  I have a large collection of rayon machine embroidery threads with some metallic threads.   I have a moderate collection of polyester threads like Guttermann. 

Stabilizers  -  I have listed some stabilizers that I have used and plan to use.   These are on the pages that follow this page.    If and when I use others, I will make a note in your email and include a sample on the master fabric sheets.

Fabrics  -  Fabrics that I have used are on the following sheets with as much information that I can determine.  Many of the fabrics have come from my stash and therefore the fibre content and price is not available.   


                                                                                                                                               Page 2


                                                                                                                           Page 3



                                                                                                                                             Page 4


I have just noted that at the top of the last two pages I wrote Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 respectfully and it should have been Chapter 2.

Distant Stitch Module 1 Chapter 3 - Straight stitching


Piece # 1.    – stitching a grid with vertical and horizontal lines
Fabric  -  bridal satin – painted with transfer paint using Sample #1.
Stabilizer – 2 layers of the thin nappy liner
Threads  -  grid  - (#1) Gutermann 100% polyester  -dark green thread – colour # 792  (complement)     
           (#2)  second complement – Marathon Korean thread (probably rayon) – light tone - violet  -  colour   # 2077       
           (#3)  third thread – mid colour – Gutermann 100% polyester – mid green colour # 776
Bobbin Thread – variegated green thread – didn’t show through to the front
Length of stitch -   2.5
In this piece, I like the empty squares of colour in the grid.  Also the light violet gives an interesting effect.  This piece distorted only a small amount.   I noticed that I had filled the same number of rows and columns with the light violet colour.  I am not sure if there should be more variation.  







Piece #2 – stitching straight diagonal lines
Fabric  -  black felt
Stabilizer  -  black felt
Threads  -  (#1) – 100% Rayon embroidery  thread-  WonderFil Art# 3142  -   colour # 1182 – dark red 
           (#2)  -  100 % rayon embroidery thread – colour # 1057 –DD-8069  -  light blue     
           (#3)  - 100% Rayon embroidery thread   -  WonderFil Art #40 – colour # 1137  -  bright orange
Bobbin Thread – black
Length of stitch – 3.5
There was a little distortion of the fabric although I did trim a bit off each side as you can see the cut threads.  I do have a button on my machine that makes a knot when I have finished a row and I was following this practice for the most part of the piece. 





Piece # 3 – Straight stitched lines going in every direction
Fabric  -  calico (muslin)
Stabilizer – medium weight woven pellon (Vilene)   -
Threads -  (#1) – 100% Rayon Embroidery Thread  -  (no colour number – I expect it is a WonderFil thread)  -  mid to dark green      
(#2) - 100% Rayon thread – no colour number -  Royal Blue                     
(#3)  - 100% Rayon Embroidery Thread – WonderFil Art# 3142  -  colour # 1182  -  mid red.  
(#4)  -  100% Rayon Embroidery Thread – WonderFil Art# 3142  -  colour # 2113 – bright yellow 
(#5)  -  100% Rayon embroidery thread   -  WonderFil Art #40 – colour # 1137  -  bright orange
(#6) – 100% Rayon thread -  1081   BF-8309  -  mid violet
(#7) – 100% polyester Mettler metrosene plus -  colour #3 -  used as the first layer of concentrated  stitching for the tree trunks  
(#8) – 100% polyester Mettler metrosene plus – colour # 712 -  mid brown – used for the second layer of stitching on the  tree trunks
(#9)  - Rayon thread – 120D/2  - variegated colour Stonehaven -  used as the top stitching layer of the tree trunks (there are sections of white along with the darker browny colours of the variegation) 
Bobbin Thread – 100% polyester – white
Length of stitch  -  3

The tree trunks look realistic even with the white thread bobbin thread showing through.   I should have possibly used a darker bobbin thread on the random rows of stitches that used the darker colours  (eg. blue, red, and green)  Once the tree trunks were stitched, there was great distortion of the fabric.  On the left tree trunk, I added another piece of Vilene stabilizer and this helped a bit!!! I am not happy with the piece. 





Piece # 4 -  Straight stitches in a curved pattern (all with the foot on and feed dogs up)
Fabric  -  Bridal satin painted with transfer paints from using Sample # 5 – the third pressing
Stabilizer –   Vilene (mid weight woven pellon) and  white felt.
Threads -  (#1) – 100% Rayon Embroidery Thread  -  (no colour number – I expect it is a WonderFil thread)  -  mid to dark green      
(#2) - 100% Rayon thread – no colour number -  Royal Blue                     
(#3)  - 100% Rayon Embroidery Thread – WonderFil Art# 3142  -  colour # 1182  -  mid red.  
(#4)  -  100% Rayon Embroidery Thread – WonderFil Art# 3142  -  colour # 2113 – bright yellow 
(#5)  -  100% Rayon embroidery thread   -  WonderFil Art #40 – colour # 1137  -  bright orange
Bobbin Thread -  White -   I should have used a darker colour such as black for the blue, red, and green colours.
Length of stitch -  3.5.  I also reduced the pressure on the presser foot one notch
You will notice that some of the stitches were looping.  The thread was breaking.  I then changed to a new needle and cleaned out the fluff from the bobbin area. And everything went smoothly from that point on!!!  I liked this piece with the different colours of thread against the paint transferred bridal satin!!!   I believe that I would have a better product if I had changed the colour of the bobbin thread to match the top threads (especially the darker colours).

Monday, November 12, 2012

Workshop on Saltspring Island



 I have just spent 2 days at a workshop on Saltspring Island with Jason Pollen sponsored by the shop STITCHES.  He is a well known fibre artist from Kansas and New York. 


We made marks with Graphite Crayons (LYRA) and for colour, we used  Acrylic Artists Ink (Daler / Rowney)

We then added water and this is what happened with my pieces
For his "creation"  I used two pieces of work together by cutting them into wavy sections  and then weaving the pieces together as one and then did some machine stitching on top!!!   



















There were 15 of us and every piece was different.

Lots of fun by all ...... and we all climbed out of our boxes to do something totally different.