Whitework progress: 24 August 2017

Net darning

I finally got to grips with the next stage of stitching on the net. The aim for this week was to complete the stars (flower shapes). 

I seemed to spend ages (several hours) drawing star shapes on hexagon patterned paper getting the order of movement right to get an even pattern above and below the surface.... 




Having tried several attempts on the nylon net, I eventually felt confident enough to move onto the silk net.  This will be used on my final piece. The silk net hexagons are not as uniform as the nylon net so can be difficult to follow a straight line.  My first piece was very wonky, so it was abandoned!

Fortunately I only need a small area of stitched pattern, about 8cm by 4cm.   By pinning calico to the edges of the net I was able to secure it more firmly in the hoop.  I worked the pattern in two horizontal runs, first stitching the top arms of the shape moving from right to left, then returning along the row to stitch the lower arms from left to right.  It seems like I have spent all week on this section, but when I got it (how to do the stitching) the finished piece only took an afternoon to do.

I really like the finished pattern on the net.  I hope it will work on the final white work.

Next bit, start doing the pulled work on my proper piece of work.   Will I get enough done before my September lesson with Tracy?