Course sucessfully finished

The computer continues to be sick - it is that rather than lack of stiching or my own health that has kept me from posting.

I have just finished teaching a course. I was asked to develop a class to teach more stitches to those who already do cross stitch. The course was held at a small craft shop North East of Vienna. We made a Biscornu using 11 different stitches. We also looked at several pieces that I have stitched over the years and books from my collection to see how different stitches can be used. I found that even more than the new stiches, the ladies appreciated tips that I had picked up from my (mostly on-line) friends over the years.

Now I should translate the course handouts into English, so I have them in both English and German. For me it was a challenge to teach in German, and to teach adults (formally). I found it very tiring, but satisfying. Now I'm supposed to design a small Christmas mat in Hardanger that the group can do in November.

Needlework group started

The other exciting news is that we have started a needlework group at the AWA in Vienna. Now each Friday morning there are three or four of us working away on knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, or what have you. I really enjoy having stiching friends!

This is a Thea Dueck design that I finished in December. I did make a few changes; Colour scheme, of course. The open work areas were always the same (as on the lower E) just switched back and forth between the hemstitching and the hardanger. I chose to use a variety of stitches. The hardest one was the filling for the uppermost heart. The book made a big point of the importance of keeping the tension even, and recommended not using it for an area greater than 3 x 3 holes. I quite understand that advice, but I think the result was worth the extra effort.

Computer problems

I have great hopes that the computer problems I have been struggling with for the past several months are almost behind me, and I can soon start blogging regularly again.

Sampler finished and framed

I have been working on a sampler for a relative, and it is not only finished, but also framed.

Of course, in theory, I knew all about mounting needlework. In theory, however, the thread neither knots itself up, nor breaks, and the pin you are using to centre the piece stays in place. Certainly the back of the frame lets itself be locked into position. That last was, of course, my fault for using two layers of batting behind the sampler. But I think the final result looks really good. Luckily I had planned to leave the glass out anyway. It would never have fit!

To the sampler: This is a pattern I saved from a magazine some time ago. While I liked the basic concept, I did not want to stitch lots of hearts with partial stitches, so I substituted beads and buttons. I also thought the various stitches were too boring, so I chose my own. I more or less used the original colour scheme, but added in the multi-coloured thread, and sometimes changed the distribution of colours as I stitched.

As a final touch, I added in a tiny bit of the Klosterarbeit I have been doing, as I had a heart.

I hope the recipient enjoys it.

Tapestries on display in Vienna

Three late medieval tapestries arrived in Vienna from Bern for an exhibit opening tomorrow. Exhibit information is not yet available on the KHM site, but they looked lovely on TV last night. More when I've had a chance to see them.

Kunsthistorisches Museum
Karl der Kühne
Glanz und Untergang des letzten Herzogs von Burgund

15. September 2009 bis 10. Januar 2010

Needlework Museum in |Salzkammergut

We've just been off in Salzkammergut (Bad Ishl, Hallstatt etc.) for a few days. I found out about a small handwork museum in Traunkirchen set up by the Goldhaubenverein. In parts of Austria there is a tradition of womens festival wearing golden bonnets. I've enjoyed seeing them from a distance, but had no idea how they were made. I have a much better idea now. The embroidery is done with tiny gold sequins and beads, and the shape is formed by gathering a long rectangle. (see http://www.e-punkt.net/html/badischl_goldhauben.htm ) The exhibits also included many other techniques. I was particularly intrigued by the Teneriffe lace. I want to do it!