Scarlet Quince News August 2003
Cross Stitch Patterns from Fine Art by Scarlet Quince   Scarlet Quince News
August 2003
 
     
Dear friends,

Happy August ... wherever you live, this time of year it's bound to be good stitching weather - either too hot or too cold to be outdoors - might as well stay inside and stitch.

In this newsletter, we're pleased to offer some stitching tips from Paul Kuehner, who is stitching "The Keepsake". He wrote, "At first, even though I am used to challenging projects, I thought it went too slow because of all the blended needles, but I stuck with it anyway. I found a few shortcuts that helped move it along a little faster and am now happy to say that I'm completely hooked on it and find it to be the most satisfying project I have ever tackled in 40 years of needlework!" We asked him to share his tips and present them below. Whether you are a very experienced stitcher and have your routine down, or a brand-new stitcher who is still wondering what the best way to do things is, we feel there's always a chance to learn. We hope you'll find something helpful in these tips.
Flowers in a Blue Vase
Flowers in a Blue Vase

 

Paul Kuehner's Stitching Tips

I assign each of the symbols to a separate storage bag (I use Floss-A-Way bags). I write the symbol on the bag along with the associated floss numbers. Then I keep a full 6-ply strand of each color in the bag along with a threaded needle with the blended colors on it. That way I can keep a needle ready to use and replenish the floss as needed. I use them as I need them and and don't have to spend as much time sorting colors and threading needles.

I also have the bags on large notebook rings in order of their listing on the chart. For "The Keepsake" chart I have 5 rings with all of the symbols from each of the five columns. This makes it easier to find a symbol because you need only refer to the symbol listing to know on which ring you can find the bag with the floss colors for that symbol. They hang on my floor stand so I have easy access to them.

I have another set of storage bags hanging on my floor lamp with all of the floss colors stored in them by number so I can see at a glance when I need to get more floss. This works well for me but be aware that it means buying more floss, a lot of storage bags and a lot of needles. It takes a while to get all this going but once it's in place you save a lot of time in the long run. As a result this project is going at a fairly quick pace.

The Keepsake

The Keepsake


I use a center clamp extended floor stand with 16 count ivory evenweave fabric on 36" scroll bars. The best needle I have found for this project is a Size 26 Tapestry 'Petite' (JJ19926) by John James. I also recommend a daylight floor lamp with an attached magnifier.


 
 
Flower
Flower
Irises
Irises


Free Pattern Awards

Congratulations to Frances Peterson of Tucson, Arizona, and Henrietta Kopecky, of Boston, Massachusetts, who have received free copies of patterns they suggested. Frances suggested "Flower" by Alphonse Mucha, and Henrietta suggested "Irises" by Claude Monet. Thank you, ladies, for two excellent suggestions!

Find out how you can have a chance to win a free pattern by suggesting a painting.
 

We don't have room for more pictures this time, so be sure to check out our other new patterns. You can also click on any of the pictures above to go directly to more information on that pattern.

Do you have comments on this newsletter, or tips of your own you'd like to share with our readers?

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