The Little Robin finished!
Working On The Robin
I have to admit that I have enjoyed the little Robin. Here is a halfway point, showing that while many suggest drawing direction lines for their stitches, I chose to draw with my needle instead. I found that the more helpful because it gave me a chance to gauge the overlap of each section with the next.
I’ve gathered that some tutors suggest working small sections to completion, and others in colour layers. I took the latter approach with the (I’m sure not original) refinement that sometimes I went back and did another layer in a colour I’d already done.
Stumpwork Bits
I also had fun with the stumpwork elements: two simple wired leaves (nothing terrifying about that, after working on the Stumpwork Violets for Dreams of Amarna!) and three berries made of beads wrapped with thread. I’ve not wrapped beads before, but as it turned out, this, too, turned out to be fairly straightforward.
And fortunately, my wandering applique scissors returned to the fold in time to be of use…
The Robin Completed
So here he is.
As you can see, even though I worked him in a hoop, and regularly made sure the fabric tension was maintained, there is a little bit of puckering. That may reflect, as much as anything else, a certain anxiety on my part. I think I will mount him on a round card and add him to the winter decoration corner when I set it up, and I should be able to ease some of the puckering then.
And – for those enquiring minds that wish to know – while I can’t say I’ve fallen in love with silk shading, we are definitely on better terms than we were!
I’m fascinated by the feathers! The little robin wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was such a sweet surprise.
Lovely finish!! I enjoy looking at silk shading but not doing it.
Looking good Rachel! I draw with my needle as well. I even sometimes draw a whole colour-changing ‘line’ if that makes sense? And wrapping beads with yarn or ribbon is just plain fun :).
Seeing what you did is almost as good as a class. That drawing lines with the needle is a fabulous idea, and next time I do something like this, I’m going to try that out. I also like the idea of going back in sometimes with a finished color. Your bird is great!
he looks fat. robins ought to be fat
That is SO sweet! We have robins (endangered) in NZ, but not your delightful wee redbreast variety. Like Susan above, I too will be trying your ‘drawing direction’ when I get around to thread painting.
He is just so cute and I am going to try your drawing direction. Once I can stitch again.
He is beautiful. xx
Well done Rachel! He looks gorgeous and very sweet. The stumpwork elements are a lovely touch. Puckering is something that seems to follow silk shading. But a good tug during stretching should help!
he’s lovely! I love the stumpwork leaves
The robin is a delight!
I adore your robin and am extremely impressed with your leaves and berries. I may have to refresh my stumpwork skills now which are very out of date. You have inspired me.
He is just gorgeous!
He is gorgeous! I have a little silk work piece that I keep meaning to get started – but for some reason keep putting it off!
Beautiful work Rachel. I really like the stumpwork and am eager to have a go at this, your leaves and berries are gorgeous and that wonderful robin, bright and perky, so lifelike I feel that I could touch him.