Christmas Wreath, VS Fall 2014 cyberclass

I have already worked this design twice before (they can be viewed within my posts listed under the VS directory on the top Menu). This time I am closely following the instructions given within the cyberclass lessons as well as utilizing the suggested threads and fabric.

The design area is 96w x 96h. Model: 32ct Flax Belfast Linen: produces a 6.8 inch square worked design.

Threads: The center area will be worked in YLI silk ribbon, Needlepoint, Access Au ver a Soie along with adding beads. The outer kloster and pulled work were stitched in cream color DMC Perle Cotton.

I learned during this work of week one that I greatly prefer woven bars (such as used in the other designs I was working on within the cyberclasses) to these wrapped bars (I do not care for the way they are bowed by the pulled work).

My Dove’s Eyes and Algerian Eyelets were greatly improved when I incorporated instructions given within the cyberclass lessons.

Stitches used in this Sampler:

Kloster Blocks Algerian Eyelets Wrapped Bars Dove’s Eyes

Greek Crosses Backstitching Colonial Knots Twirled Miniature Roses

Japanese Ribbon Stitch Beadwork Loop Stitches Bow Making

I did decide to add dark green fern silk ribbon leaves and Colonial knot med. rose silk ribbon flower buds to the wreath as fill in. I also added two tones of red beads, one gloss finished and the other muted satin.

Below photo shows the finished piece mounted on an 8-inch wood box. I purchased this unfinished wood box (8-inch square, about two inches high) from a local Micheal’s craft store, removed (unscrewed) the two silver color hinges and silver color latch, then spray painted the wood box using a dark green gloss paint. The finished stitched piece was adhered to a quarter inch thick mat board with dress maker pins along the raw edge of the mat board. I used the Kreinik Custom Corder and size 5 Perle thread to create the beige-pink braid which I then pinned around the edge of the mat board after which I glued the mat board onto the top of the painted wood box.