July Ornament Ruby
Designed and Stitched by Gail Sirna

Materials:

• 18-count canvas - 7" or 8" square
• Stretcher bars - to fit canvas
• DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Thread (floss) - Color #304 (red)
• Ribbon Floss Shimmer Blend - Wine Red
  You may substitute Fyre Werks (a Rainbow Gallery product) or Kreinik 1/16" Metallic Ribbon Braid in a red or crimson hue
• Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 16 - Color # 002 (gold)
• Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 8 - Color # 002 (gold)
• Gold Paillettes #18 (a Kreinik product)
• Red Seed Beads
• Gold Seed Beads
• Kreinik Torsade 4mm - Red/Gold
• #22 and #24 tapestry needles
• Needle for attaching beads - #28 tapestry, #8 or 10 crewel needle, #10 sharp, or #10 beading needle
  Hint: The thread does not tend to slip out of the needle's eye when you use a sharp needle or a beading needle.
• Refer to Finishing Instructions for materials needed for finishing the ornament.

Trace the pear shaped template (a small "pear" inside a larger "pear") onto the canvas and mount the canvas on stretcher bars as explained in the General Instructions.

Stitch two rows of continental stitch around the drawn circle (see General Instructions).

1. The very center is worked in a large Rhodes Stitch Variation. Each stitch of the Rhodes Stitch extends all the way across the stitch motif. As you add stitches, a "mound" will form in the center which results in a very dramatic appearance. Use gold Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 16 and a #22 tapestry needle for this stitch. You will want a rather long length of thread instead of the usual shorter length that is desirable for metallic threads. The Rhodes Stitch gobbles up thread, so a short length will not take you very far. To begin, count up 18 canvas threads from the bottom edge of the ornament. Be sure stitch #1 is centered from right to left.

The close-up photo below shows the stitches from Steps 1, 2, and 3:

2. Now stitch the Jessica Variation Stitch surrounding the Rhodes Stitch. Begin Stitch #1 one canvas thread below the Rhodes Stitch #1. Use the Ribbon Floss Shimmer Blend and a #24 tapestry needle (all remaining stitches use a #24 tapestry needle unless otherwise noted). If you have substituted another thread, you may need to use a #22 needle. Remember to lay the thread so that there are no twists in it. Stitch the Jessica Variation on the right side first. Then work the left side motif. Stitch #1 in both sides share a canvas hole.

Right Side
Numbers		Stitch Appearance

Left Side
Numbers		Stitch Appearance

3. Woven Plait Stitch fills in remaining space between the Jessica Variation and the inner drawn line. Use gold Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 16 and a #22 tapestry needle for this stitch.

4. Clam Shell Stitch - in space between your drawn lines (outer area of ornament). Use 4 strands of DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Thread (floss) - Color #304. Be sure to use a laying tool so that the individual strands are aligned. Center the first Clam Shell Stitch motif at the top center of the pear shape.

The image below shows the stitches from Steps 4, 5, and 6:

5. When you have completed the Clam Shell Stitch, work backstitches over one canvas thread surrounding each Clam Shell Stitch motif using Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 8.

6. Finally, cluster a mixture of red beads, gold beads, and paillettes along the outer edge of the Woven Plait Stitch (where it meets the Clam Shell Stitch). Use a small needle for this step (see options listed above) and 1-2 strands of floss. If you cannot locate the paillettes, the ornament remains dramatic and eye-catching when using only red and gold beads.
7. Now you're ready for the Finishing Instructions.The Kreinik Torsade is used for the decorative cording on the edge of this ornament. Again, if this is not available to you, use another decorative cording or make a twisted cord using red floss and Kreinik #002 Metallic Braid.