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Dreaming of Geometry

Class Development

This class has grown out of my love for geometric stitches and unusual threads. I have four small geometric pieces that represent the four season. They also contain some of the most fun stitches I have ever stitched or devised. One day my brain was mulling over ideas for four-day classes and I could see in my mind’s eye some of my smaller geometric pieces combined into one large piece. I went to the computer and began doodling and daydreaming. This piece is the result.

I originally envisioned this piece as a truly dimensional design with the three major motifs each on a different layer. I may still do that for myself, but the logistics of it, combined with the complexity of the stitches, made it too much for a four-day class. Instead, we will work with dimension achieved by color placement and color values.

Class Goals

• making judgments about stitch and motif placement
• proper stitch execution, including how to work with variations of a stitch
• use of color to create depth and dimension
• working with overdyed threads to achieve a specific look
• the properties of various metallic threads and how to use them successfully on canvas
• proper pulled thread techniques on canvas

Stitches

• round eyelet
• Jessica
• S-curve
• closed herringbone
• crescent
• fan stitch
• String Heart
• Smyrna cross stitch
• Scotch stitch
• pulled satin stitch
• Rhodes stitch
• 2-step Smyrna cross stitch
• layered eyelet
• pinwheel with star
• 2-layered chain stitch
• stem stitch
• spider web
• curved crescent
• layered crescent
• pulled 3-sided
• layered heart
• Rhodes stitch

Comments

Because of the large size of this design I do not recommend it on 18-count canvas. I have had students stitch each motif separately on 18-count and that is fine, but as a whole design 24-count is much better than 18-count. Also, because this design's illusion of depth is created with color contrasts and values, it doesn't work well on any color except black.