Schwalm embroidery-Peahole Stitch
bshi...@worldnet.att.net
Yesterday was lesson 2 of the 4-part Schwalm embroidery class I'm
taking. What fun it is! Although, I'm finding the 40-ct a little
challenging. :)
We worked on hemstitching (easy), needleweaving (fun, and I've done it
before on Ukrainian embroidery), and groundstitch (isn't this just
faggot stitch?) But I got reeeeallllly stuck on double peahole stitch
(aka Erbsloch stitch.) Although Eva showed me three times how to do
it, I just don't think I've got it. I think I've got something
similar, but not IT, if you know what I mean.
I bought Renate Fernau's book, but I'm not finding it very clear on
this. And I think there might be something similar in Carolyn
Ambuter's The Open Canvas-but I'm just not sure.
Anyhow, any help on this would be most gratefully received.
Beverly
Truswell Needlework Design
Janet Davies has written a book on Schwalm embroidery, which I've
heard is just excellent. Her web page is http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/
Good luck!
Sincerely;
Summer Louise Truswell
Truswell Needlework Design
http://www.needleworkdesign.com
Dianne Lewandowski
of the center of the clusters?
The drawing shows it "on center", but if you look at the pic (page 14,
Fernau's book), it is actually toward one side. Not centered at all.
And this may be where you're confused?
Fernau's drawings are pretty clear - to me at least. I'm not
enamoured with this hem, which she describes as "gauzy". I prefer to
do it (knot the center of the clusters) using a different method -
particularly on finer fabrics (60 count). I just did the peahole hem
a couple months ago.
Ya just need to tell me where your problem is with it. You have to
fuss a bit to get the "traveling" thread to behave.
Dianne
bshi...@worldnet.att.net
I'm not having trouble with the placement of the knots (well, I am in
execution but not in theory :) )
I'm struggling with actually making the knots, and a little bit with
the wrapping. I may have worked it out last night using Ambuter's
book, but wouldn't mind some more help.
First, Fernau shows a double wrap around the single group; Eva (our
teacher) suggested a single wrap because we've withdrawn only 9
threads on 40-ct. But I've found it easier to do the double wrap.
Next, Eva changes the direction of the wrap around the single group,
depending on whether you are on the top peahole or the bottom peahole.
Right to left behind on the top peahole, left to right behind on the
bottom peahole. I guess I'm ok with that, but then....
She wraps from right to left when catching the second group,
regardless of whether she is on the top or bottom peahole. It seems
like this unwraps a little on the bottom (that's why I think I like
the double wrap better.)
Then, the *big* problem-making the knots. I have an idea that I need
to kind of "throw" the thread to the left before I wrap around the two
groups, and then insert the needle into the loop made by throwing.
This is just analogous to the way I throw the thread when I make the
coral knot stitch. Is this right? If you have Ambuter's book, if you
look at Stitches 3A and 5A in Hemstitching, that seems to me to show
the knot better than Fernau. Unless, of course, it isn't the knot at
all. :)
One other question. On the ground stitch, I'm finding that every row,
on the starting row at the bottom, I have a horizontal thread group
that isn't getting wrapped. Every intersection is wrapped, but this
one thread group is missed. Is that normal or am I doing something
wrong?
I know my descriptions are fuzzy but I hope you (or someone) will
understand & be able to help!
Dianne, I know your a biiiiiig fan of doing this embroidery on 40-ct
or higher. But for teaching purposes, I think the teacher should use
something a little more, well, VISIBLE! Using 25-ct or even 18-ct and
a heavier thread would make the demonstrations a lot more useful to
me! (Don't worry, I'll tell her that, too.) I'm really enjoying the
class, but would enjoy it more if I could SEE the demonstrations!
Beverly
Dianne Lewandowski
and see if I can figure out where you're going awry. If I can't
figure it out, I'll let you know that, too <grin>.
As for the "higher counts" that I like to do: My very first Schwalm
was 45 ct. I have seen it accomplished on coarser grounds, and the
results are NOT very pretty. It loses a lot in the translation. The
hem you are doing isn't difficult, but the directions you are
receiving are mud to me, at the moment. That's why I'll sort it out
in a bit (I hope).
That being said: YOU could always take a scrap of 22 ct and give it a
go to see if that helps you work out a particular problem area. But I
wouldn't want to take a class and pay good money to learn on it. Your
eyes simply adjust, and if you don't do it, they won't adjust. I know
this sounds hoity toity - but I really don't mean it that way.
Sometimes ya just gotta bite the bullet.
I did a first, easy Hardanger emb. piece on 18 or 22 ct. It was
simply awful. From there I went to 32. Easy? No. Worth it? Yes.
Be back at ya. I KNOW you'll just love this work when you're through
getting over your angst. How well I remember my angst. :-)
Dianne
bshi...@worldnet.att.net
Thanks for any help you can give me.
I love the high count linen & do know it will be wonderful. I don't
think my eyes will adjust, actually-I have a problem with the left one
that makes some things difficult. But I was talking about the
TEACHING not the doing. Having gotten the coral knot and chain
stitches done, and the threads pulled, I can see well enough. My real
problems are in understanding what is to be done-not in doing it.
That's where the lower count linen for demonstrations (not practicing,
but showing us what to do) would come in handy for me.
BTW, I did a piece of hardanger on 18-ct. Used dark green, and
Watercolours in green & purply rose. I love it-but I guess that's
why they make all the different fabrics!
Beverly
Eagerly awaiting your next post!
On Mon, 08 Apr 2002 22:49:23 GMT, dia...@heritageshoppe.com (Dianne
bshi...@worldnet.att.net
Doppeln Ebslochstich in German.
And, wouldn't you think they could find a better name for it in
English? How about Sweet Pea Stitch? Or Pea Blossom Stitch?
Beverly
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply
Beverly, you are a dear but you MUST quit talking about *loving* to work on the
fine fabrics. You and Dianne are gonna give me a migraine with all of this
talk -- reminds me of the P.F.H. I did for Janet! I do NOT need to be reminded
that I voluntarily and in my more or less *right* mind, chose to stitch over 1
on 40 ct.!! Enough already OK :-))))))))))).
Now, with that off my chest :-))))), are you going to post a pic for us to
see of the infamous Peahole Stitch once you get a handle on it??? CiaoMeow
>^;;^<
.
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^<
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!
Visit my albums @ http://www.picturetrail.com Username is tiamary (no caps,
no spaces)
Dianne Lewandowski
side, and read your post a number of times. This morning, I read it
again a number of times, and did a small piece, trying to follow what
you are talking about.
Some of the problem areas you are talking about make absolutely no
sense to me. Your paragraph:
>First, Fernau shows a double wrap around the single group; Eva (our
>teacher) suggested a single wrap because we've withdrawn only 9
>threads on 40-ct. But I've found it easier to do the double wrap.
makes no sense to me whatsoever. What double wrap? What single wrap?
Are you talking about the knot, or the 4-sided stitch that groups the
threads on either side of the middle withdrawn area? (There are three
withdrawn areas - the first is a few threads, the middle a wider area,
and the third like the first, separated by about a quarter inch
between these areas of withdrawn threads).
Next, this paragraph:
>Next, Eva changes the direction of the wrap around the single group,
>depending on whether you are on the top peahole or the bottom peahole.
>Right to left behind on the top peahole, left to right behind on the
>bottom peahole. I guess I'm ok with that, but then....
None of what you are saying in this and the next paragraph makes ANY
sense to me at all. See my last paragraph.
This knotted grouping of threads (in the larger withdrawn area that is
between the four-sided stitched borders) is only done once.
Basically, one edge is grouped in 4-sided stitch - all the way across.
Simple. This is on the hemmed side - if you are doing a hem - it can
be done in the middle of the cloth, but then, it's not hemstitching
<big grin> - but a form of drawn thread.
Secondly, on the other side, 4-sided stitch is worked on the first
bundle of threads, then begun on the second bundle. After the first
step of 4-sided, the thread is brought up about half way to perform a
knot stitch across 2 bundles. Fernau's directions are easy to follow
at this stage (first illustration, left side of page 15).
Now, catch the thread with your thumb and lift up a loop. Yes, you
are beginning a coral knot. Follow the middle illustration (needle
behind the 2 bundles and through the loop). It DOES take awhile to
figure out this step - the rhythm of catching the thread with the
thumb and lifting up a loop. I do a LOT of knotted hemstitching and I
remember well how this frustrated me at first. I would take a piece
of cloth and just practice this knotted stitch. No need to withdraw
threads. Just do it across the fabric, picking up groups of thread at
random. In 15 minutes to an hour you'll get it, slap yourself on your
forehead and wonder why this seemed so hard.
Now, back to the task at hand. For your Schwalm piece: pick up that
loop . . .
HERE'S where things change a bit from ordinary knotted hem stitch -
shown in Ambuter's book (also Dillmont's book on drawn thread).
With your thumb and index finger, pull the thread to the RIGHT. If
you do this slowly and carefully, you'll see the result looks exactly
like the 3rd pic (bottom left, page 15).
Now, put your needle between the bundles (top right page 15) and
finish the top leg of the 4-sided stitch (last pic, page 15).
Your now ready to start bundle three.
The difficulty is keeping the knot "central". You can't. It will be
toward the 4-sided border. ALL Fernau's and ALL my work and ALL the
work I've seen when the stitch is done in this manner is NOT central
but toward the 4-sided border.
I don't know what Eva is doing - and it sounds to me like there's more
going on than ordinary peahole hemstitching. If you can scan in your
directions and send to me, I may be able to help you figure this out.
Dianne
Dianne Lewandowski
the German translation. And yes . . . even a simpel "pea stitch"
would be an improvement. <big grin>
I just posted a BIG reply. Just keep talkin' and we'll figure this
out.
D
bshi...@worldnet.att.net
LOL! I bought myself a little clip-on-to-the-hoop magnifier, and it
makes things much much better (and bigger!!!)
IF I ever figure this out, I'll post a picture of my effort!
The sampler we are doing is really just lovely, if I ever get around
to it. Have been working on a doodle cloth so far-and a good thing,
too!
b.
On 09 Apr 2002 12:01:42 GMT, catwo...@aol.comnekoluvr (Tia
bshi...@worldnet.att.net
Dianne has a picture of single peahole stitch on her page:
http://www.heritageshoppe.com/heritage/essays/schwalm.html
It is in the first example and the peahole stitch is the "X"-looking
drawn thread work in the top & bottom borders. Lovely, Dianne!
Beverly
On 09 Apr 2002 12:01:42 GMT, catwo...@aol.comnekoluvr (Tia
Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply ) wrote: