I gave myself an early Christmas present – Stupendous Stitching, a class on Craftsy taught by Carol Ann Waugh. This wonderful present has possessed me occupied many of my waking hours for the last several days!
This is what I’ve been doing.
I’ve taken many online classes, but in this one I felt compelled to complete the project. First of all, Carol is a really good teacher. She goes through all of the steps, showing exactly what she’s doing.
After each technique she asks us to post our progress. I really felt like she was there with me, even over the holidays! We also could ask questions that she responded to quickly.
She started by wanting to see our base fabric. She recommended a batik or a solid colored material.
That was easy for me. My friend Donna gave me some lovely material that I’ve been looking for a project to use it. (Donna, thanks again!) Here is a picture of the fabric before I ironed it. A beautiful place to start.
In addition to the machine stitching, we hand embroidered which I’ve not done in many, many, many years. I can’t even remember how long it’s been. Anyway, that was so much fun. I’ve noticed lately that I’m drawn to projects that have added some handwork, but I really didn’t think I wanted to do it. Well, I was wrong. I absolutely love it!!
Being a leftie, I had trouble with the french knot. She had showed how to do it right handed and I also had a book that showed it, but I just couldn’t get it. I posted that and she directed me to an online tutorial for left handers on french knots. That did it and I was set.
I’m all done except trimming, binding and mounting it. I’m not sure I want to do it the way Carol suggests. I like her binding, but I don’t feel confident and don’t want to screw up this piece after all of the work. My friend Kathy is coming over next week so I thought I’d get her suggestions on finishing.
And the almost finished project.
The picture does not do this piece justice. Some of the stitches are hard to see on the photo but they are easy to see in person. This will be a wallhanging. I can see doing more of these projects and making them into neat things – like a journal cover or a small bag.
I really liked that the class has no expiration date. As long as the Craftsy site is up, I’ll be able to go back in and review this class.
Seeing all of the other students’ questions was helpful. It saves us from asking her again and even asking questions I might not have thought about asking. You also can take notes in each section. I didn’t do that, but that would have been handy for entering in my tensions and that left handed site before I forget them. Lastly you can share your creation with the Craftsy community.
If you’d like to give yourself a gift of a class next year, check out Craftsy. If you aren’t interested in sewing or quilting, they have a variety of other classes.
This class has really inspired me and pushed me into what I want to do more next year.
Lynda, this is absolutely gorgeous! Great job. Can’t wait to see it in person.
kathy recently posted..Monday
Hi Lynda,
Thanks for writing about my class on your blog and saying such nice words. As a teacher yourself, you know that having made a difference in someone’s life/outlook is why we teach!
Don’t worry about binding with rattail cord. you can practice it on another piece before you do it on your Stupendous Stitching piece. And, even if it’s not perfect (who is!) you can always trim it off and use a facing technique to bind it. Remember, there are no mistakes you can’t fix!
Carol
Carol, You are so welcome! It’s been such a fun class and you are such a good teacher. I did forget to mention in my post about no rules. Loved that!
Thanks again and glad you stopped by. Lynda
Kathy, Thanks! Looking forward to seeing you and how you think I should bind it. Lynda
Thank you for sharing!
Lynda, your piece is full of beautiful stitching. I also paid for the class and am waiting for the time to start my lessons. It is exciting because an online friend, is also signed up for the class. I also like the convenience of going back to the class, again and again, if necessary. I can’t wait to start learning about my stitches, too.
Diana Bracy
Diana, Thank you so much. You will love the class. I really learned a lot. Lynda
Do you mind sharing the lefty web site?
Love the Craftsy site. I have spend hours on there. You truly put your classwork to the test and came out with a gorgeous wall-hanging.
Peggy
Hello Lynda – your stupendous stitching is exactly that!! What a lovely piece you’ve created, thank you for taking the time to write about it. You’ve inspired me – I’m off to see Carol’s Craftsy courses right now!! Happy New Year, Pips
Linda, your piece is gorgeous. I’ve taken this class but have not started anything yet.
Carol is an outstanding instructor.
Took this class and enjoyed it alot; yes, Carol is a great teacher. Am working slowly on making my Janome Horizon 7700 stitch sample book. Thought I’d try a different edge finishing technique on each page of the book; also going to try the various round/oval shaped eyelet stitches for inserting the rings that will hold the stitch book pages together.
Hi Peggy,
Here is the link to the lefty site: http://crossstitch.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=crossstitch&cdn=hobbies&tm=8&f=10&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&st=10&zu=http%3A//www.sublimestitching.com/frenchknot_lefties.html
Thanks for stopping by. Lynda
Pips, So glad I could inspire you. Hope you enjoy her class as much as I did. Lynda
Dennise, It didn’t take me long to make my stitch book since I don’t have many stitches. I ended up with only 3 pages (6×6)! Thanks for dropping by. Lynda
Gordia, Thank you! Lynda
This is a beautiful piece, Lynda!
Connie, Thanks!
very cool! I took this class too and really liked it, and I liked my finished piece too!!
Marsha recently posted..Some photos from my new camera(phone)
Marsha, I didn’t have my new machine then so I ended up with only 5 pages for my stitch journal. I need to go back and do a new one for my Brother.