A fabulous stitcher who completed one of my designs in an online class mentioned to me that she chose not to follow my numbered chart for a certain stitch. I wrote back explaining why I numbered the chart as I did. Her answer was: "Ah! That's good to know. I always like knowing the whys!"
Her answer got me to thinking that I should do more of this, explaining why I choose to do things a certain way. So here are a few whys:
1. Why I stitch my Rhodes with an extra last stitch, which goes over the first stitch. Look at the diagram below...
Stitch 17-18 goes over a stitch already in place, stitch 1-2. One reason I repeat the stitch is to have a perfect diagonal last stitch, giving a better look to the piece. If I completed the Rhodes with just stitch 15-16, it would be just a bit off, and with geometrics, a bit off can be a nuisance. I could, however begin the Rhodes placing stitch 1-2 where stitch 3-4 is and then the last diagonal stitch would not be going over the first, but... I like to have my Rhodes have a higher top, I like to see the play of light on these stitches, and stitching as shown in the above diagram gives my Rhodes just a little bit of an extra mound.
2. Why I always search for the path that will wrap my canvas threads.
Using the "wrap canvas threads" method, you can find the best path for your stitching on your own. Always try to keep your canvas hole empty, and you will have easier access to the hole for a second stitch as well as no shadows from the stitches on the back of the canvas.
3. Why I believe that you should bead on canvas using a thread the color of your canvas and NOT the color of your bead. Look at the illustration below and squint. The top bead is going to look elongated, oval-ish and the bottom bead will look distinct, standing out on the canvas. The bottom bead with the thread the color of the canvas brings the bead to light, and makes it stand out on the background of the canvas color.
Do you have any of your own "why I do what I do"? Share, won't you?
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