National Academy of Needlearts - March Aquamarine Ornament

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March Ornament Aquamarine
Designed and Stitched by Felicite Pollnow

Materials:

18-count canvas - 7" square
Stretcher bars - 7" x 7"
DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Thread (floss)

Color #959 (turquoise)
Color #964 (light turquoise)

Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 8 - Color # 684 (aqua)
Tiara - Color #T113 (aqua)
Ribbon Floss Shimmer Blend - Color #148F-45 (aqua opal)
Fyre Werks - Color #F37 (dark aqua)
Splendor - Color #S888 (dark aqua)
Accentuate (a fine metallic from Access Commodities) - Color #66 (dark aqua)
#22 tapestry needles
Refer to Finishing Instructions for materials needed for finishing the ornament.

You can substitute some of these threads. Refer to the colored photo for ideas and appropriate colors.

There is no shape template for this ornament. Find the center of your canvas to begin stitching.

Center Motif - Rococo Variation

1. Use a long strand of Kreinik Metallic Braid - Color #684. Stitch this area according to the left diagram below beginning with a long stitch labeled A-B (the center point of the stitch will be at the center of your canvas). The numbered short couching stitches will pull the long stitch slightly to the left.

Repeat, using the same canvas holes for the long stitch (center diagram). Continue with a third long stitch, this time omitting a couching stitch at both top and bottom (right diagram). Repeat, working toward the right, with each long stitch using the same canvas holes, omitting the top and bottom couching stitches until only one couching stitch is used. Then follow the same procedure to work the left side of the motif (see the complete diagram).

Diagram4.gif (7560 bytes)

Large Crosses

The image at right is for the right (or east) point of the ornament.

1. Use Tiara Color #113 to stitch four multiple cross stitches at each point of the center rococo stitch. Notice that the East and West crosses share holes with the rococo stitch while the north and south crosses do not.

Diagram5.gif (3036 bytes)

Diagram6.gif (7751 bytes)

2. Work three more large cross stitches in each quadrant using Ribbon Floss Shimmer Color #148F-45. Be sure to notice the placement of these stitches (some share holes and some do not).

Diagram7.gif (12813 bytes)

Laid Stitches

Use Fyre Werks Color #F37 to stitch long stitches that outline the perimeter of the ornament and the large cross motifs. Begin stitching the perimeter stitches (A, B, C, etc. shown with solid black stitches). Then stitch the numbered stitches - hollow white stitches. Finally, work the shorter stitches (hollow gray stitches).

Diagram8.gif (19627 bytes)

Slanted Stitches

1. Use 4-6 strands of Splendor Color #888 to stitch three long slanted stitches just beyond the rococo motif in each quadrant. You will bring your needle up under the laid stitch at a slant and sink it sliding under the laid stitches.

Diagram9.gif (20236 bytes)

2. Repeat the slanted stitches in the four remaining areas using 4-6 strands DMC Color #959.

Tent Stitch

Work 2-3 rows of tent stitch around the ornament perimeter (for finishing purposes) using 4-6 strands of DMC Color #964. The first row of stitches will tuck under the long laid stitches.

Tacking Stitches

Use a single strand of Accentuate Color #66 to tack down the long laid stitches. The tiny tacking stitches should be worked about every 2-3 canvas threads. Each comes up in the center of the Fyre Werks long stitch and down at the edge. Try to make these stitches as invisible as possible.

See the Finishing Instructions to complete your ornament. Felicite used a combination of Ribbon Floss Shimmer, Kreinik Metallic Braid, and DMC Six Strand Embroidery Thread to make her twisted cord.

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