UTS Finished Jacque's Block

I have so enjoyed working on my part of Jacque's Under The Sea block...and it is now ready to move on to the next person on the Round Robin list...

Here are some closeups...the only things added are the beads and charms. But, they finish off the stitching nicely I think...and make it look like a real scene. I can almost see those fish swimming! Here are the rocks...some clay roses are added to the green stump-work plant, and a purple glass one is added below. A couple of German glass beads in blue, and some flower iridescent type beads are added for more color.

And, next the fish. Here is the large one...

And the small one...

The fish are brass charms, and while I often ink these type of charms...this time, I painted them...with fingernail polish! The feather stitching has been adorned with multiple seed beads in three different colors.

UTS Plant Life

The Under The Sea block continues. I wanted to add some more plant-life, and a woven detached plant will be first.The little round plant is a Pandora large hole bead that I'm wrapping in green Perle cotton. The woven tall plants are easy to create, but a little tedious.

Here is how the tall plants were made: To help keep the plant the same width from top to almost bottom, I put two pins in the background fabric horizontally; and to set the height I put one pin in vertically. The base threads will be woven around these pins.

First, needle up at the base of the plant. Bring the thread under the heads of the pins (right side), around the head of the vertical pin (top) and under the points of the pins (left side). Needle down back near the start point, but not in the same hole. Needle up close to the start point, wrap thread behind the vertical pin.

 Next, change to a blunt tip tapestry needle (or use the eye of the needle you already have, as I have) and weave the end of the thread over the middle thread and under the right thread. This begins the weaving process. Go from side to side weaving the thread over and under as you would in making a basic weave. (If you go over a thread in row 3, then go under that thread in row 4, etc) Keep moving from left to right...then from right to left...weaving. Keep the thread loose. Slide the needle up toward the top to "srunch" the threads up tight.

The plant shape will begin to form as you weave back and forth. Keep the horizontal pens in until your weaving gets close then remove one at a time as the weave builds.

Continue in this manner until you reach the bottom of the plant. Take a few tacking stitches to anchor the bottom securely and keep the weaves from shifting.

Remove the vertical pin and you can see that the plant is detached and free standing except at the base. If you did not want the plant detached...a small stitch could have been taken at the top when you began the weaving process to anchor it. 

 

It is also possible to stitch the detached plant without the horizontal pins in place as guides...but the stitches have to be kept loose so as not to pull the threads to tightly and distort the shape of the plant.

And, here is the last vertical plant...the last step was stitching down the Pandora bead.
 Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial...and will try this stumpwork technique on a project too.

UTS Block Started

It seems that my present stitch life is just packed full of Round Robins these days...and it's great to get to stitch so many different styles of projects. If you stitch and have not tried round robins...I really highly recommend you consider finding a group that fits you and...stitch more! Here is the beginning of the Under The Sea crazy quilt round robin.

Feather stitches...layered on top of each other...five different colors. These are a must (IMHO) for an under the sea block. And since this is round one...the very beginning, I just HAVE to add them.

Perhaps it would be good to let you know that I just received this block from it's creator...and I'm the first of several ladies to get to stitch on it. Being first is a big deal...as your stitching can set the tone for the entire block. It is a little scary...and also really exciting. I think this is especially true for seascape type blocks...because they lend themselves to realistic stitching...and it is not necessary to do the traditional stitching sequence. You know, stitch the seams...do some motifs...add some lace...Voila, you have a block. (of course that order changes with each stitcher...and with each project) With seascapes you can ignore the seams all together if you like...don't do any seams at all if you wish. You can use stitching to actually create an under water world...and never do a seam! The colors in this specific block really are suited to this style...browns for the sand and blues/aquas for the water.

So, traditional is out the window on this one!! And, I've added some rocks...and sea plants. Let's see what we do next! Come on muse...talk to me!!