Stitching with Susan, Part 2

We’re back for week 2 of Stitching with Susan! We hope you’ve been enjoying the series and that you’re ready to take on a cross stitch project or two this Summer:). Don’t forget, if you have any questions, please post them in comments below!

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Hi again, it’s Susan Ache, yardgrl60 if you follow me on Instagram.

Last time I was here, I talked a bit about my favorite stitching floss for my own cross stitch. Today, I thought I would talk to you about my color choices and the types of cross stitching I like to do.

A Sampler is really defined as an embroidery piece produced to test the skill in needlework. Most of the time there are small motifs, alphabet letters, figures and decorative borders. I personally love to work on Quaker samplers, and the majority of them were done by girls learning how to stitch, so the motifs, alphabets, and all of the other things they have put in there are their own design.

Now, I know that certain colors weren’t available to the girls back in the 1600 and 1700’s century and I am sure that parts of the world where these samplers came from a variety of colors definitely weren’t available. But, let’s face it, girls are girls and they are going to find their favorite colors to work with even tho learning to stitch may have been mandatory through their schooling, so why can’t I use my favorite colors to stitch these wonderful designs?

I truly do follow the cross stitch chart for the pattern part, and most of the time I change every single color in that chart. It doesn’t take an experienced stitcher to know your favorite colors, my personal experience has shown me that I will enjoy working on anything as long as I love the colors I am working with. Quaker Samplers give me the total satisfaction of finishing a motif one at a time in a color I love.

The first thing I do when I get a new cross stitch chart is determine the size of fabric I am going to use, that determines what floss I am going to use. My favorite linen is a 36ct, and I stitch over 2, I also love the fullness of using 2 strands of embroidery floss. Now, comes the fun part…..

I am color crazy, I can find my inspiration from just about anywhere, so, let’s pretend that my inspiration just happens to come from a piece of fabric for my newest project. I then get out my Aurifil color card and start choosing. Personally, I love playing with lots of color, so I don’t limit myself to say, one green. There will be 4 or 5 shades of green in my stitching. If you are lucky enough to have a favorite color then use that as your jumping off point.

My favorite color is and always has been any shade of orange and anything that matches it, so I have accumulated many shades of that color, and guess what, there are tons of shades of reds and pinks that blend with my oranges. The whole key to playing with color in your stitching is not to limit yourself to one color at a time. I am constantly re-evaluating the colors side by side to see if I still like them. Remember, in most projects it will be only be a small piece of the whole and ask yourself if you can live with that.

Don’t be afraid to go out on that limb and just pick colors. Having the color card truly will make the work much easier for you. Here’s exactly how I made my first Auriful purchase, I had the color card and I went through and picked my very favorite 10 colors. Once I had those in my hand it was just a matter of playing with the color card and matching and coordinating other colors to go in my stash. Easy peasy when you are playing with the colors you love and you will for sure finish projects if you are stitching with those colors.

Take the plunge and be the boss of your own stitching, find your color inspiration and start stitching. Remember, it’s only stitching, if you don’t like it you can remove it and use another color.

THREAD COLLECTION DETAILS
Little Quaker Christmas
100% Aurifil Cotton, 10 Large Spools, Aurifloss (18yds/spool)
Colors included:
1231 – 2886 – 1147 – 5016 – 2140
2420 – 5002 – 2255 – 2270 – 2250