Easter Egg Sampler Group Instructions

Drawn Thread Group Projects

Easter Egg Sampler
Marci's instructions

Well, as I promised Judy, here's some of my "notes" while stitching on Easter Egg Sampler.

Blatent Error Found!!

First off, I want everyone to look carefully at the chart... I found a mistake in mine that frustrated me to no end! I was ready to pull my hair out for a bit - until I figured out it was the chart, not me!

Look at Bands 13 and 14... If you put a ruler or other straight edge flush to Bands 3 and 2, you will see they do not line up on the right margin. On Band 13, I had to add TWO stitches to match Band 3. On Band 14, I had to add ONE stitch on each row to match Band 2.

Then, on Band 15 (flowers and stems) you will have to nudge it over one stitch (two threads) to line up with Band One.

I hope that makes sense - if not, let me know! Of course, your chart could be right!

Okay, with that noted, let's get started!

Band 1: Flowers and Stems

Cynthia gives good instructions over all on this section. I began as she suggested with the ray stitch flowers using 1 strand of Sweet Pea silk n' colors. The stitch diagram is easy to follow and the flowers turn out beautiful with a great variation of color.

Now, I digress from Cynthia's instructions on the 2nd paragraph... I didn't backstitch right away, I did the leaves and backstitched as I went along using 1 strand of forest of greens. (Isn't this a great color?)

If you've never tried the buttonhole stitch, you might want to grab a scrap of linen and practice before you try to do these leaves. I personally found it rather difficult to do the buttonhole leaves on the 36 ct. fabric the kit came with, so I opted for the "EZ Option" of plain ray stitch leaves. IMO, it's just as pretty!

Band 2: Double Four-Sided Stitch w/ Woven Ribbon

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE the four-sided stitch... (It ranks up there with the half rhodes as a favorite!) This band is stitched using 1 strand of the off-white silk.

Cynthia worked this band from right to left, but dyslexic as I am, I worked it left to right. It's up to you - if you work right to left, follow her instructions! It's much more natural for me to work left to right...

Remember, you are going over each leg of this stitch TWICE!! PULL TIGHTLY - no, that's YANK! - so you really compress the threads. You will need big holes to weave the silk ribbon through later.

Once you get the top row done, bury your thread and start the bottom row with a fresh piece of silk. Trust me, you've worn that silk out pretty good by now! Work this row just like the top - each leg twice, YANKING to compress those threads. The top row of the bottom band will share holes with the bottom of the top band. You should have some pretty big holes there - don't worry! The ribbon will hide them!

As for the ribbon, I chose to wait until all my stitching was done to weave that in. We'll come to that later!

Band 3: Double Back Stitch

Using 1 strand of the light turquoise, work this row of double backstitch. Cynthia's diagram is great! You will see she's included the "compensating stitch" when you begin - work this row across... No pain!

Band 4: Backstitch

I think this is pretty self-explanatory. Use 1 strands of soft mauve dark to work the flower and stems (darker lines on chart) and then 1 strand of sea green dark to work the tendrils. I waited until the end to add the beads - if you bead as you go, feel free!

Band 5: Double Back Stitch

This is a repeat of Band 3 above.

Band 6: French Knot Hyacinths, Backstitched Leaves & Stems

First, using 1 strand of Forest of Greens, backstitch the stems and leaves of the flowers. I love the variation of color in this silk! When that's done, we'll progress to the flowers!

Ugh! French Knots! I am knot-challenged! French, Colonial, whatever - I can't do them! Hopefully most of you can, but if you're like me, I'll tell you what I did.

Since I wanted a little "texture" here, but can't do knots to save my life, I used a Smyrna Cross instead of the French Knots. It's not nearly as 3-D as the French Knots, but it worked for me! It's an idea for those who haven't mastered the art of knots yet!

Whether you do french knots, colonial knots or smyrna crosses for the flowers - use 1 strand of the Grape Melange silk n' colors.

Band 7: Satin Stitch After that icky band, we've got a fun band to do. It's a simple satin stitch variation, working bottom to top using 2 strands of Sweet Peas. See Stitch Diagram A for the variation.

Band 8: Cross Stitch and Back Stitch It's the halfway mark!!! Just follow the color key and stitch those bunnies and their little ribbons! What fun!

Band 9: Satin Stitch Again, use 2 strands of Sweet Peas and work the satin stitch variation. It's just like Band 7, only upside down. See Stitch Diagram B for the variation.

Band 10:

The Easter Baskets are worked in two parts. First, work the "brim" of the basket using 1 strand of sable light silk following the diagram - step 1 only! Directly under the "brim" work the rice stitches in the same color. If you want, you can backstitch the handles now since they use the same color.

Let's change silk colors now and work Step 2 of the Williamsburg Stitch using 1 strand of Grape Melange. Step 2 is basically a "half cross" over the top of Step 1. Also, backstitch the basket bows in Grape Melange.

I worked all baskets in the sable silk, then went back with the Grape Melange. It's up to you if you want to work all the way across with each color or to work a basket at a time.

Again, with the beads (eggs?) I waited until the end to do all the beading.

Band 11: Double Back Stitch

From this point on, we are mirroring the top of the egg. Please check your chart to make sure all the bands line up on the right margin as I mentioned on top... Those bands in error on my chart were 13, 14, and 15.

Band 12: Backstitch

Work this just like Band 4 above.

Band 13: Double Back Stitch

Work like Band 11 above. Please make sure your right margin lines up with Band 3! I had to add TWO extra stitches to make sure it did!

Band 14: Four-Sided Stitch w/ Woven Ribbon

Follow the directions given for Band 2 above. Please make sure your right margins lines up with Band 2... I had to add one stitch on each row to my piece.

Band 15:

A repeat of Band 1, only upside down. If you added stitches to Bands 13 and 14 above, to make sure your piece is symmetrical you will need to nugde the stitches one square (two threads to the right). Otherwise, it will not be lined up and you'll have a slightly lopsided egg! I frogged this band way too many times, I am hoping to save you that aggravation!

Beading/Ribbon Weaving, etc. Now it's time to do the beading, if you haven't already. It's pretty self-explanatory, just follow the color key for what bead goes where. Also attach the green adventurine heart in the center band, between bunnies #2 and #3.

To weave the ribbon is another story. Follow Cynthia's instructions under Band 2. They are great instructions, but I had a problem with my ribbon "twisted" as I wove it in and out. My only advice is to take it slowly and if you have a laying tool, use it. I don't have a laying too, but I found a large needle worked just as well in keeping that ribbon from twisting too much. Be sure to anchor it on the back at both margins and trim the excess.

Whew! I hope that helps you out! It's a pretty design and Cynthia's instructions are straight-forward and easy to follow. Hopefully I've saved you a few hours of frustration by pointing out the "problems" I encountered!

If you have any questions, please let me know!