Although I've been busy trying to finish a year-long crazy quilting project, I have been keeping up with each week's TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday) challenge. Unfortunately, my digital camera broke a few weeks ago and I just replaced it last weekend and now feel confident enough to actually use it. Since I last posted my work on TAST, we've had 4 new stitches and a catch up week. Week 10 was running stitch, one I haven't really used extensively in my crazy quilting. Week 11 was whipped wheel. It took a few false starts and stops, but I finally "got" this one and used it as filler for my bottom of the sea blocks. Week 12 was barred chain and alternating barred chain and I confess I had to do a major online search until I found a really good tutorial. Being left-handed is challenging and despite having several embroidery books designed for left-handers, I found the explanations tricky. I do like the barred chain stitch, though, and can see myself using it for any number of motifs in the future. Week 13, Sharon kindly offered a catch up week (she's very receptive to her students). That brings us up-to-date with week 14's stitch, the satin stitch. I've used this one before, but will readily admit that I need lots more practice. I decided to use satin stitch to make a spider for my beaded web. It's far from perfect (the eyes and antenna make my spider seem a bit deformed), but I hope to find more opportunities to use this stitch in the future. So, there you have it. Ready for the next challenge. The examples of each stitch detailed above follow.
The time-honored way of showing love in an Italian family is to offer food. Whether we're celebrating, mourning, happy, sad--if we're breathing, there's a table filled with great things to eat. Life's too short, so eat what you love and love what you eat.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
TAST: The Lost Weeks
Although I've been busy trying to finish a year-long crazy quilting project, I have been keeping up with each week's TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday) challenge. Unfortunately, my digital camera broke a few weeks ago and I just replaced it last weekend and now feel confident enough to actually use it. Since I last posted my work on TAST, we've had 4 new stitches and a catch up week. Week 10 was running stitch, one I haven't really used extensively in my crazy quilting. Week 11 was whipped wheel. It took a few false starts and stops, but I finally "got" this one and used it as filler for my bottom of the sea blocks. Week 12 was barred chain and alternating barred chain and I confess I had to do a major online search until I found a really good tutorial. Being left-handed is challenging and despite having several embroidery books designed for left-handers, I found the explanations tricky. I do like the barred chain stitch, though, and can see myself using it for any number of motifs in the future. Week 13, Sharon kindly offered a catch up week (she's very receptive to her students). That brings us up-to-date with week 14's stitch, the satin stitch. I've used this one before, but will readily admit that I need lots more practice. I decided to use satin stitch to make a spider for my beaded web. It's far from perfect (the eyes and antenna make my spider seem a bit deformed), but I hope to find more opportunities to use this stitch in the future. So, there you have it. Ready for the next challenge. The examples of each stitch detailed above follow.
Love these close up photos of your work Arlene. There sure is a lot of time put into those pieces. Beautiful for sure. Cookie
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see how you incorporate the different TAST stitches into your CQ blocks.nI am sure this will grow into a very beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteI adore your stunning stitching! Your pictures are wonderful - you certainly have mastered the new camera. One day I will be referring back to these TAST posts - I hope. I cannot wait to see your finished project!
ReplyDeleteNice stitching and quilting! I'm a fellow TASTer. (...and as a bit of kismet, I live in a log home with 5 cats and my Italian-American husband.)
ReplyDelete