Tale of the Pesky Kimono

MAGIC project #2 is done, finished. No, I didn't stitch it in two different colorways, just playing with my photo software. It's been about 7 years since I first purchased this canvas. I had such high hopes in the beginning that it would stitch up quickly and that I would miraculously find just the right stitches and threads to use. Didn't happen that way. As a much less experienced stitcher 7 years ago I didn't know about the wonderful stitching support groups and lists and all the help available through them. Thinking it was a gorgeous canvas worthy of fine threads and stitches, and with Jo Ippolito's 300 stitches dictionary by my side, I thought I was prepared.

The real trouble began when I attempted to create a stitch guide; I had no experience and ultimately no business attempting this. I stitched and then frogged, stitched and frogged for months. I just do not have the talent nor experience to instinctively know what stitch best fits where. Frustration stitching this particularly problematic canvas caused me to put my needle down for about 3 years. Back then, back before discovering my needlework groups, I was still practicing the don't begin something new until you finish what you've started mantra. And I didn't want to work on the kimono so I ended up not working on anything. Big mistake rectified only after learning that it's natural to have any number of UFO's and WIPS in one's stash. That it's a normal part of being a stitcher. Thankfully I cast aside this notion of nothing new until old is finished.

Once the stitching was in, the poor kimono took a rest while I tried to figure out how to finish it to hang on a stand. I looked around on the Internet for help, but didn't find what I needed. The first thing I did was to cut away the canvas around the stitched design and basted on an interfacing for stabilization. Next I needed to find the right fabric for the back; naturally choosing a slick Asian fabric that frayed like crazy. The color and pattern were right, so what's a little fraying with everything else it had been through. The fabric was basted to the back of the canvas wrong sides facing inward. It was finally time to apply the velvet trim to the edges by hand leaving armhole openings. Voila! Done. Goodbye. Shoo! Actually I learned many valuable lessons stitching this kimono, that even though I was discouraged many times, I became a better stitcher because of it somehow. Becoming more aware of my limitations and levels of tolerance and patience, I now plan and proceed with my stitching projects differently than I did back then.

THE MAGIC SHOW

is coming in November at my local EGA Chapter meeting. I've been working on the finishing of two of my MAGIC (My All Good Intentions Contract) commitments this past week. The stitching has been done for quite some time now and after much thought, a bit of consternation and bravery, I began the finishing of the kimono and the Halloween Fairy project myself in an effort to save time and money. I will only discuss the fairy today.

The Halloween Fairy was meant to be framed, but to me Halloween is a day, not a season and I was not likely to display a framed Halloween piece. Not to mention that a background would have to be stitched if it were to be framed. Soooo I am using it to decorate the top of a round box from Hobby Lobby. Covering the exterior of the box and box top with a Halloween print fabric, I am now ready to cut my finished fairy canvas down to size and mount it on the top. I put the canvas on a piece of foam board and then attached it to the lid. A cover up trim seeking odyssey ensued and I finally decided on black velvet ribbon and large orange rick rack. I love rick rack, reminds me of elementary school and my Brownie Troop. This finishing project took time but wasn't difficult. The one set of fairy wings extend out over the edge of the box top and are vulnerable to crushing even though I stitched around their edges with braid and left the canvas underneath attached. I really didn't enjoy finishing this project myself. I think I'd rather be stitching; something I didn't realize about myself, but now I do. I do not plan on taking this type of thing on again. Well except for the kimono and third Magic project, a CanvasWorks Rooster pillow. With the finishing of these 3 items I am getting closer to reaching my stitching goals for 2008. Hallelujah! Happy Dance!

Finished!

Cozy Toes #7 is complete and ready for finishing. I am happy to report that I did not stab myself during the beading process; encouraging. Going on to #4 next.

Last night I attended my ANG Chapter meeting. The program was a witchy Halloween canvas by Mile High Princess, complete with custom stitch guide created for ANG by Mary Lou Kidder of Diversions. Julie Storick taught the 16+ patterned stitches for this piece intended to be finished as a box. It is a darling project and I regret not participating. Suffice to say we cannot do everything we desire to in this life and that includes stitching projects.

The Chapter has a Show & Tell segment each month which is one of my favorite aspects of any meeting as I am always inspired by the work of others. Some Chapters have one meeting annually devoted to Show and Tell, I like monthly better.

I showed a piece designed by Leigh. Didn't come with a stitch guide but since the piece was small it wasn't too bad deciding which stitch to put where. The eyelashes were created by looping Kreinik cord in and out of the upper half of the eyelid, then snipping the loops and unraveling the plys. It was fun, stitching was completed earlier this year. As it was lying around waiting to be sent off to the finisher when I decided to take matters into my own hand and actually made it into a pillow.

It was fun putting it together although I do not recommend using the fringe used around the perimeter, it tangles, gets caught on everything and slowed the whole process down.

About finishing. I have done my share and most of the time I am disappointed. I certainly appreciate the labor involved and actually do believe the expense can be worth it. I have had my finishing disappointments even at reputable places, so I am never sure which route to take when it comes to finishing. Framing, I have no expertise or knowledge so I always farm that out. I am still contemplating finishing a kimono myself. The fabric is purchased but I haven't found any instructions on finishing these. Mine is the 10x12" version and is to be hung on a stand instead of framing. I am looking for suggestions, advice or recommendations. Thanks for stopping by today, hope you're stitching something new!