Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Progress

Thank you to everyone who has commented in response to my many questions in my previous entry. I still haven't exactly decided what to do about my floss storage but baggies are definitely something I am considering. And I did alright finishing my backstitching when I personalized the "gift tag" last night. I found a font that has some regular cross stitches, so that helped too. But when I finished the "R" I made good use of everyone's suggestion to weave the tail back in. It worked very well! Thank you all!

Yesterday I had a fun first - I made my very first tassel! I keep seeing little hand-made tassels in everyone's finishings and I found some instructions online here. When I first read through them I thought for sure I was doomed. But it was actually much easier than it seemed when I actually got to it. I used the same DMC floss I used to stitch the piece so it would all coordinate. For me, the hardest part was getting the bottom relatively straight when I trimmed it. But I think it turned out well. And I even followed the cording instructions to make a little cording for the hanger part. I have the bird all trimmed up now and ready to pair with a back. I will be personalizing that today and hopefully get it all put together by the time I go to bed tonight! Here's what I have done:


Yes, I know the "obbie" is one stitch too many away from the "R." Is it obvious? And if so, does it look terrible? I could frog the "R" and move it over one. I don't know if I should bother or not.

But I do have (another) question. Should I have done the backstitching around the outside over 1? I'm worried I won't be able to get my needle through it to attach it to the back if I do so I went ahead and did it over 2, but I'm having second thoughts about that decision. Any suggestions?

7 comments:

Michele B. said...

Your little gift tag looks wonderful! I think the R looks fine spaced the way it is; the little curlique pulls it together with the rest of the word. I wouldn't change it. I'm impressed with your tassel and cording - I haven't done anything like that yet. Thanks for the instructions. As for the back stitching, I am not sure but I think doing it over 2 threads is the right way. But I'm sure some of the more knowledgable stitchers can tell you for sure.

Kathy said...

Everything looks great. I am going to have you do cording and tassels for me. I hate doing them so I don't. Robbie looks fine. No need to rip. Backstitching is almost always over 2, so that is good too. You just doubt and question yourself too much. Great job.

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Gorgeous!!! I always backstitch over two threads so you're good to go, as far as I'm concerned. Great work!

Tanya :)

Jennifer said...

Had you not mentioned the spacing, I would not have even noticed! I think it looks great just as it is.

Sally said...

What a lovely finish Kim and I love your tassel. Looks much better than the ones I've made!

Paisley said...

Very lovely! It looks like you have a natural talent for tassel making!

Michelle said...

Your little gift tag is gorgeous! I just love this idea. And your tassel and cording came out fantastic too. I've never made a tassel or cording (and I've been stitching for a long time!). I love how you're just jumping right in. I keep my specialty thread in flossaway baggies - they are so easy to organize that way. I keep the bags on rings with all my Weeks together, all my GAST, etc.