Crazy Canvaswork Cushion – Part 8
Section Twelve
Moving on…!
I’ve made something of a principle of alternating the types of stitch as I progress along the Crazy Canvaswork Cushion, so as far as possible a crossing stitch is followed by a diagonal stitch, and a diagonal stitch by a straight stitch. This is part of my strategy for making an abstract, random piece slightly less random, and more under control.
Chequer Stitch
In this case I also needed a sturdy stitch that would help to confirm the “weld” of the canvas, since although it had been tight when I first worked it, the pieces of canvas moved against each other as I worked the earlier sections.
I picked Chequer Stitch because it alternates squares of tent stitch – which will control the two layers of canvas very firmly – with squares of diagonal straight stitches.
Section Thirteen
Section Thirteen is actually a fairly simple Bargello lozenge pattern. I realise – rather late – that this may be the only place in the cushion in which I have used a straight stitch pattern, with the straight stitches oriented parallel with the long sides of the cushion. I am going to have to hope that this doesn’t make the section stick out like the proverbial sore thumb when I finally unroll the whole thing!
Bargello Lozenge
I found the Lozenge pattern in the “Dictionary of Canvaswork Stitches”, by Mary Rhodes, which I must have picked up in a second-hand shop somewhere, and a quick look inside shows it was a library book before that. It’s marked “Copyright 1980”, but I think there is a rather 1970s feel to this pattern. Thank goodness I didn’t choose to work it in brown!
I don’t think the blue section will look out of place when the whole thing is seen – there are enough other ‘noticeable’ sections to balance it.
What a shame you didn’t choose to do the whole cushion in lovely shades of warm brown, beige and burnt orange – you could have added such a nice brown acrylic fringe to the edges, too!
love the clarity of these images which reveal the details of your beautiful; stitching so well.
Thank heavens you didn’t opt for brown with orange highlights! Yikes, I remember those days. I’m sure that once its all together you’ll have beautiful flow between both the colors and the stitches.
This piece is coming together and I love the texture formed from the different stitches.
What! I love brown and orange. I’m heartbroken. And I’m sure I have some nice autumn floral crimplene somewhere, that would make a lovely backing….
You must be getting pretty close to the end of this now, and it’s a lovely fast-moving project to work on between the dainty projects. Looking forward to seeing the finished project. I love the intensity of the blue.
Autumn colours are my favourites – but not the oranges and browns of the 70s! Your piece is coming along nicely – I am sure I say every time I am looking forward to seeing it finished!
Wonderful colours and shapes!
Very rich textures and color.
The variety of stitches makes this a special project and they all compliment each other. I’m looking forward to see the whole thing when you unroll it.