Stitch Witch

I know what you're all thinking...  I definitely need another hobby.  I'm getting boring and stagnant, and need something new to vex and humble me.  

This week it's embroidery.

I decided to do something small and also something that would still be useful if it was a catastrophe once I finished, so I decided to embroider a dish cloth.

This blasted dish cloth tried to tell me that this was a worthless venture with words written in endless wrinkles that would not iron, wash, or press out.  Yet I persevered, because if I'm going to let a tea towel push me around this early in the game, I may as well not try at all. 

My next test of courage came in the form in splitting my embroidery floss.  I found a Y pattern was the most effective (and efficient).  I would take my desired number of threads in one hand, and the rest in the other, then with completely in-tact strand held between my knees (or toes) and was able to pull it apart cleanly.  

Below is the kind of simple knot I made to start (as seen from the back).

I started to notice as I worked on it that embroidery floss has a lot to teach hand-sewing thread, as it rarely gets tangled, and when it does it's an easy fix that doesn't appear to compromise the thread.  

I'm also greatly liking embroidery in that it reminds me of pointillism.  Even if the dot seems like it doesn't fit or work with the larger piece, it typically ends up being perfectly wonderful.  Many times I felt like I made a mistake with this first feather/leaf and each time I chalked it up to beginner's lament and carried on.  Much to my surprise, despite all the seemingly heinous mistakes, it turned out beautiful.   

That being said, I do hope I see vast improvement as I work on this tea towel and the next, and I look forward to sharing all these adventures with you all.

Thanks for joining me in this first step in a whole new adventure.

Stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.