COPYRIGHT NOTICE: None of these designs or instructions can be reproduced or distributed in any form (including electronic) without the prior written permission of Tisha Kuntz and Carolyn Hotchkiss.

Preparing to Stitch

1). You may choose to lightly iron the fabric, to ensure it is as wrinkle-free as possible.

2). Secure the fabric in the method of your choice (hoop, stretcher bars, Q-Snaps)

3). All threads (Wildflowers, Impressions, Snow and Antica) are worked "as is" -- please do not try to separate or "strand out" these fibers.

4). Please use the #24 needle for Wildflowers and Impressions.

5). Please use the #20 needle for Antica and Snow.


And now, let's begin our class...

"Tulip Trio" is a counted cross stitch design, worked from the chart found on this website. As with other counted cross stitch pieces you have stitched, each symbol on the chart represents a different color of thread by The Caron Collection.

This work was designed to be easy and fun to stitch, while providing an introduction (or quick refresher course) in working with variegated fibers.

These fibers are always beautiful to look at, but occasionally stitchers are a bit hesitant when it actually comes to using these threads in a stitched project. In this design, we showcase different ways to utilize each thread's variegations to best advantage.

At times, people may be reluctant to stitch large areas with a multiple-colored thread because of the striping that can occur. We have a nice technique for you, to help avoid large noticeable streaks of color. We chose to work long horizontal areas by stitching each row vertically. This same trick can be used on long vertical areas, in which we chose to stitch each row horizontally. You'll see an example of this in both the outer blue frame of the 'window' (please look at the finished design as a reference), as well as the tulip stems.

As you look at the tulip stems especially, please notice the gradual changes in color from one shade to the other. Each stitch was completed as an individual cross stitch (X) as we went. This is often referred to as the "English Method" of cross stitching.

There is another method often used to prevent striping in areas which are equally large horizontally and vertically. That is to stitch the large area in half cross stitches (/) and then return across the same area, crossing the other way (\) to complete the stitches. This is often referred to as the "Danish Method" of cross stitch. When done with a variegated fiber, this will cause each completed cross stitch to have different shades on the lower and upper crossed fibers. It gives a very pleasing 'tweeded' appearance. We have used this method in the leaves of the tulips, for a different effect.

On of the most exciting aspects of using variegated fibers, is that they can be used for more dramatic shading effects in a cross stitched piece. We tried to show how a variegated thread can be used to stunning effect in the tulip flowers themselves. We looked at the shape and form of each flower and tried to visualize how we wanted the colors to fall. Parts of the flower would be darker, parts would be lighter, just as tulips naturally grow and bloom in the garden.

Once we decided where we wanted the different shadings to fall, we looked at each cut piece of fiber individually, as one would look at a flower's petal. Was this strand mostly light, mostly dark, where did the shadings fall? Once we had a feel for what result the strand would give, we started stitching. We tried to keep the darkest shadings of each piece of thread to the base of each petal, letting a few streaks work upward as they would in nature.

Remember that your thread is your palette. We feel there are no rules when it comes to needle art, especially no rule which says that you must stitch in rigid rows back and forth. It's delightfully up to your sense of creativity, because it's your artwork in thread and fabric. We encourage you to let your sense of color and creativity take flight, and to put the colors where you feel they will have the best effect!

The only thing we insist upon is that you enjoy yourself and have fun!


Beading Instructions

Please attach the beads for both the ladybug and the corner accents, as shown on the chart. All beads were attached with one strand of ecru-colored thread. (You may use DMC #310 to attach the black beads, as desired.) The tiny antennae for the ladybug were two partial stitches of DMC #310.

Finishing

"Tulip Trio" was designed for the utmost ease in finishing or framing. It is easily framed in a pre-made 8x10 inch frame. Or perhaps you may prefer to do as we did and feature your stitching in a delightful Wall Mirror (#2209G) by Sudberry House.