I had been poking through the course materials and numerous stitch dictionaries to find the right stitch for the tree trunk without success when I recently saw the RSN’s post about 25 new stitches added to their marvellous Stitch Bank. One of the first ones was Elizabethan Whipped Cording, which I immediately knew was exactly what I had been looking for. This is a stitch discovered and reconstructed by Alison Smith, and she is its sponsor on the Stitch Bank. She calls is Fishers Stitch, which I think is a more user-friendly name, and I would like to know how she came by it.
I didn’t even get around to looking at the other newly posted stitches, but immediately got my silk gimp (as suggested by the RSN) and started sampling. It took me a few tries to get it right, and then, since I am who I am, I had to try it in two colors. It was too bold an effect until I used two shades right next to each other, which is what I used here. This is not perfect, but I think the gold chain will cover the worst bits. The strange shape and the two colors meant lots of threads to plunge! It gave exactly the effect I had been looking for, and I am so glad I did not yield to temptation and use a less satisfactory stitch earlier.
Next up, the “Learned Cat“. So many stitches, threads and colors to choose from! Bilibin has drawn two versions, a tiger and a tuxedo, not to mention other options that many artists have portrayed. I love the tuxedo, because he looks just like my very wise cat Spruce, but I do not think he will be so effective on the black background I have chosen. So I will be messing about with various tiger options. I have even thought of doing him in or nue, but I am not sure about putting that over padding….. Stay tuned!
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