JN – Patience Group Project

Just Nan Group Projects

Creativity

This project is being lead by Deb C. She has great instructions. If you still need some assistance, please post a note on the bulletin board. We are there to help!!

Band 1
Find the center of one short side, measure down 3 inches for placement of your first stitch, this is assuming you allowed an additional 3 inches all around. Beginning with the center top stitch, complete all cross stitches over 2 threads. Using one strand of "The Lavenders" overdyed silk, backstitch the hummingbirds. Refer to stitch diagram ’A’ for an enlarged chart of this section. Be careful counting this one, note some stitches cover only 1 thread, while others are over 2 or 3. You may find it helpful to rechart using 1 square to equal 1 thread. Attach Blue Violet beads with 1 strand of DMC 712, use a half cross stitch, going through each bead twice. At this point, count 2 threads out from the furthest cross stitches on the left side of the chart. Using a light colored, colorfast thread that won’t leave any color behind when removed, baste down the side edge until 2 or 3 inches from the bottom. DMC 600 is NOT a good choice, ask me how I know this. I also like to baste the right hand margin also (some stiches I prefer to work right to left). Looks pretty cute already, Huh???

Band 2
Starting at the top center of this band, leave a space of two threads and stitch all cross stitches. Note: none of the following stitches are to be pulled. Using 1 strand #12 perle 644, work the Diamond Symra crosses (diagram B). Using 2 strands 316, work a Triple Levathan (diagram C) in the middle of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th motifs. Using 2 strands 3762 to work a Rhodes Diamond (diagram D) in the remaining motifs. Use 1 strand 500 to work the straight stitches around the Rhodes Diamonds. Use 1 strand 712 to attach Gold beads.

Band 3
Starting 5 threads from your basted line, count down 5 threads from bottom of last row to begin the row of Pulled Italian Eyelet (diagram E), using 1 strand #12 perle 712. Pull each leg to open center. Note: This band will be 2 threads from the basting on left side and 1 thread from the right.

Ok that’s it for Today, I will post the next instructions on Wednesday or Thursday. The next band will include some "over-one" stitching, if you are not sure how to do this, there are several sites on the internet that you can check. One good site is Kathy Dyer’s site, it includes 2 different methods and both are nicely illustrated.

Band 4
Is everyone ready for band 4?? Well here it comes!
This band begins 2 threads in from basting and leaves 8 threads between the first stitch and the bottom of the last band. Complete all cross stitches in the leaves and branches over 2 threads. Using 1 strand of floss stitch the birds over 1 thread (diagram F). I found it easier to place the baby birds correctly by turning my piece upside down and and counting up/down 4 threads between the 2 Z symbols at the center bottom of where the nests will be. Then over 1 thread to begin the 1st stitch. Kathy Dyer’s cross stitch page has very clear illustrated instructions for 2 methods of stitching over 1. Note: The main graph and the diagram for the birds are slightly different.

Backstitch the eyes in 1 strand 647 and the lines at the top of their heads in 1 strand 311. (I went over the eyes twice, I couldn’t see them too well). Using a blended needle of 2 strands 610 & 1 strand 612, Work the Birds Nests (diagram G). Add Blue Violet beads with 1 strand 712 (half cross, twice through each bead).

Band 5
Well, how did everyone do on the little birdies?? This next assignment should be a little easier. Beginning 2 threads to right of basted line, count down 2 threads from bottom of last band. Using 1 strand of The Lavenders overdyed silk, work a row of Smyrna/4 sided stitch (diagram H), Do NOT pull. Just to be difficult, I prefer working 4 sided stiches from right to left.

Band 6
Count in 10 threads from left basting and down 6 for beginning of backstitching. Backstitch the words with 1 strand of 610.

Band 7
Skip 6 threads between last band & 10 threads from basting. Work all cross stitches over 2 threads with 2 strands floss. Note: The Middle motif is 1 stitch wider than the others. The 1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th motifs have a rose in the center. Refer to the enlarged graph (Diagram K) to stitch the rose. Do not cross the quarter stitches. Backstitch the outline of the rose (heavy lines) in 1 strand 315. Backstitch the lines in each petal with 1 strand 778. Backstitch the center with 1 strand 501. Using 1 strand of #12 perle cotton, work the 1/4 Diamond Eyelet and 1/2 Diamond Eyelet stitches at the top of the band. (Diagrams I & J). Pull each leg to create a hole in the center. Turn the diagram upside down to work the Eyelet stitches at the bottom of the band. (I turned the piece upside down and worked the eyelets the same as for the top of the band). Add gold beads to the center of the roses. Attach the Dragonfly charms to the middle of the remaining motifs. Use the heavy line as a guide for attaching the loop. Use 1 strand of 002 #4 braid and go through the loop twice. Add a horizontal stitch over the body of each Dragonfly, just below the wings, to hold the charm in place. You may wish to wait until all stitching is completed before attaching the charms.

Band 8
Work all cross stitches. Bess: work the bodies in cross stitches and quarter stitches. ( I used 3/4 stitches instead of the quarter stitches) Backstitch the wings in 1 strand 844 and the remaining lines in 1 strand 310. Add blue violet beads.

Band 9
I know how much everyone enjoyed the hummingbirds, now you get to do a whole row of ladybugs. A hint for the next band, the ladybugs will be much easier to stitch if you regraph it using one square for 1 thread. Using 1 strand of the Lavenders overdyed silk, backstitch the ladybugs. (Diagram L) Hopefully you recharted the ladybugs to make it easier on yourselves. If not, I am encluding a chart (if the link works). I worked the ladybugs in this order: Start with the back legs and stitch the bug’s back side; then stitch the wings and spots, (that would be a stitch over 2, 1 over one, 1 over 2, 1 over 1 then 1 over 2; then do one eye & antenna, stitch the center stitch that meets the wings, the short diagonal, then the diagonal stitch over 2 that finishes the eye. Then repeat to finish the other eye. You should be at the center of the bug’s eyes when completed. Then begin the next bug at one of the legs. (It doesn’t matter if you begin at the top or bottom leg). I found that working it this ways gives a nice blend of color from one bug to the next. Actually it is easier to do this than to explain it!

Band 10
Using 1 strand of #12 perle 712, work the Triple Rice Stitch (Diagram M). This looks like little christmas trees me me :-). After completing that row, backstitch the bottom of the band with 1 strand of #12 perle 642. Note: Each backstitch is over 3 threads. TADA, We’re half way there!!!

Band 11
Begin 2 threads below the previous band. Work all cross stitches. Add Gold beads to the center of the Flowers.

Band 12
Start 2 threads below the previous band, use 1 strand #8 perle 644 to work the Knotted Variation (diagram N). After completing the row, use 1 strand #12 perle 642 to work a darning stitch over and under 2 threads accross the top of the band.

Band 13
Begin 2 threads below the Knotted Variation row, Use 1 strand of The Lavenders overdyed silk, work a row of Greek Stitch (diagram O).

Band 14
Starting 4 threads below the Greek stitch use 1 strand of DMC 610, to complete the verse.

Band 15
The center bunny begins 2 threads below the base line of the lettering, while the other two begin 6 threads below the base line. Work all cross stitches in the bunnies. Use 1 strand of 844 to stitch the whiskers. Backstitch the butterflies with 1 strand 312. I went a head and recharted this over one, since all of the stitches were not over 2 threads. Hopefully this graph will come up here !

Band 16
Work all cross stitches. Note that this row slightly over laps the previous one. Using 1 strand #12 perle 712 work the round eyelets (diagram P) between the clover blossoms. Pull each leg to open the center. Add the gold beads using 1 strand of 712. Note: some of the beads will be touching the bunnies.

Band 17
Well, this band is rather large, so we will be doing it all by itself. Cross stitch the 1st cat, then stitch the "wall" below the cats in perle cotton. Do not cross the quarter stitches in the wall; they will be crossed with the colors in the cats tail. (you can either work the 1/4 stitches in the cats as 3/4 stitches or go back and back stitch afterwards). I backstitches afterwards, since I forgot to do the 3/4 stitches. ;-). Back stitching: (1 strand) whiskers in 310; tall flower bushes in 501;short flower bushes in 500. If you are back stitching the cats, do them in 844 and 647. Work the Smyrna crosses (diagram Q) in the short flower bushes with 2 strands of the indicated color. Add Blue Violet beads to the tall flower bushes. How’s everyone doing?? We only have 1 more assignment and we’ll be all finished, then it’s Happy Dance Time!!! Ooops, I almost forgot, after you stitch the wall, go back and stitch the other 2 cats. But, I’m sure ya’ll already figured that out. ;-).

Band 18
Using 1 strand of the Lavenders overdyed silk, work a row of Herringbone stitch (diagram R).

Band 19
Cross stitch the mice using 2 strands of floss. These should be done in full crosses and 3/4 crosses. Backstitch the tails and eyes with 1 strand of 310.

Band 20
Work the cross stitches, then add the Blue Violet beads using 1 strand of white floss.

Band 21
Wait, there is no band 21! Congratulate yourself on a job well done. Dance a happy dance all around the house, patting yourself on the back until, your DH, DBF, Dp etc, thinks you’re nuts then tell them to take you out for dinner (you deserve it)!