Originally posted 2004-07-17 22:12:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
1. How did you get the idea for Rhapsody and Romance?
Though I am not a quilter, I love the color patterns quilters achieve using fabric. I worked to at find a way of adapting a quilting pattern intoneedlepoint.
2. Part of what I love about stitching these is the way they are so geometric. How did you figure out the lines of the curves you wanted to do?
I first had to decide what size blocks I was going to use in the design. I first decided that each column would be 6 canvas threads wide and that I would need 20 of them. I then decided on the four different lengths. Thus, I came up with blocks measuring 3×6; 6×6; 9×6; and 12×6 canvas threads.
I then decided on the 10 skeins of Watercolours each having different degrees of dark and light. Five of the skeins had little variegation of color and were used for the flat stitches. The other 5 had greater variegation and were used for the pattern stitches creating the mottledeffect of quilting fabric.
The curves are created by working several color paths, from the top of the canvas, diagonally back and forth to the bottom. Then work the partial ones that ended at the margins.
3. Another thing which is so fun (and unusual) is the way the colors in the threads create a pattern of color. But I have always found it difficult to do things like that with Watercolours. What did you do to find this progression?
I use Watercolours for a lot of my designs because of its subtleness.
I think my construction sequence of the pattern stitches creates the smooth progression of color.
Example: When I work cross stitches at the same time, I will complete each one before going on to the next one. This keeps the colors closer together. If I were to complete all the half crosses first and then go back, the color difference between the first half
cross and its completion would be greater thus creating a mishmash of color.
4. Are there more patterns like this coming?
As far as Rhapsody and Romance, nothing is on the horizon. I actually did Romance as a companion piece to Rhapsody due to many requests. BUT, I have another piece called Bouquet. It is also done with a lettered and numbered grid. The grid measures 14 squares wide by 14 squares long. Each square measures 12 canvas threads by 12 canvas threads. I have included charts for 42 new pattern stitches. It may be worked on either congress cloth or 18 ct. canvas. This is a great piece to use up your stash of left over
threads. I give suggestions for what threads are good to use.
This will not be available for purchase until January 2005. It is being piloted in October by Arizona’s Saguaro Stitchers.
5. Amybear’s Adventure seems to take the ideas in these two pieces and expand them into a more individual design, can you let our readers know more about how they can use this book as a springboard to their own designs?
I am REALLY excited about this workbook and it is available now. This book reaches the beginning stitcher and challenges the advanced one. I have included all the stitches from both Rhapsody and Romance and written step by step instructions to create an original design. For those who don’t feel brave enough to work their own, I have stitched a model that can be reproduced. For the intermediate stitcher, I have supplied a set of design
templates. Stitchers select a template, and go to the back of the book to choose the stitches patterns they will use to complete the design. For the challenged stitcher, I have included pages that have labeled blocks (same size blocks as used in Rhapsody and
Romance) that may be cut out and manipulated into a design template, then glued in place. The stitcher then goes to the back of the book and selects the stitches to complete the design. I have also included graph paper with the same size block for the stitcher who has a stitch pattern idea of their own. This can be drawn on the gird. This is another “stash” project. Bring your stash and trade with others. This is a GREAT workshop or sit-and-stitch party. Also at the back of the book, I have included the designs that were completed by my pilot group. They really had a great time!!!
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