Christmas Sampler Part II
(Click here if you missed Part I)

By Giulia Manfredini of Italy

7. Band: to begin this drawn work section of the sampler, you will first need to withdraw some threads of the fabric. Start by counting down to the seventh horizontal thread below the previous band of stitching. In the center of the sampler, cut this thread and "unweave" it to the edge of the design on both sides. Cut the eighth horizontal thread in the center and remove it completely from the fabric. Thread your needle with the unwoven thread (#7) and "re-weave" this thread into the space in the margin vacated by removing thread #8. You have now withdrawn two threads. Withdraw six more threads *#9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) in the same manner.

Hemstitch along the top and the bottom of your withdrawn area using two strands of Waterlilies, 129, Hint of Mint. See diagram.

Using two strands of Hint of Mint anchor your floss near the fabric edge and carry it across the back. Bring your needle up in the middle of the left edge of the withdrawn area and work a row of Inversion over every fourth thread of fabric. (You will pass two threads of fabric over the adjacent pair of threads.) See diagram.

8. Band: cross stitch according to chart symbols.

9. Band: Start by counting down to the fifth horizontal thread below the previous band of stitching and withdraw six threads of fabric as in Band 7. Using two strands of Hint of Mint, work a Zig-zag Hemstitch over the withdrawn area. See diagram.

10. Band: work in Four-sided stitch with two threads of Hint of Mint. Work one cross stitch with the same thread in the center of each Four-sided stitch. See diagram.

11. Band: Start by counting down to the seventh horizontal thread below the previous band of stitching. Withdraw ten threads as in Band 7. Stitch along the top and the bottom of your withdrawn area using two strands of Hint of Mint with Double Backstitch (Closed Herringbone) over two threads of fabric. See diagram.

Work with two threads of Hint of Mint in Knotted Clusters stitch. Start by anchoring your thread near the fabric edge and carry it across the back. Bring your needle up in the left middle of the withdrawn area and draw every two clusters together with a knot by passing the needle behind the clusters and bringing it out through the loop. Pull tight and slide a bead onto the needle before passing the needle behind the next cluster and repeat to the end of border.

12. Band: cross stitch according to chart symbols.

13. Gray shaded frame: work in Double Backstitch (Closed Herringbone) over two threads of fabric with two threads of Hint of Mint.

14. Alphabet: cross stitch according to chart symbols.

15. Band: work in Double Backstitch (Closed Herringbone) over six threads of fabric with two threads of Hint of Mint.

16. Capital letters: work in Eyelet Stitch over four threads with two threads of Waterlilies Passion. Substitute your own initials. See stitch diagram.

17. Band: cross stitch according to chart symbols.

SPECIAL THANKS

To my husband, Mario Cornali, M.D., for his endurance and psychological support throughout this project and his secretarial work without which I would have been unable to carry it forth.

To "Arti e Cornici" (Marina di Massa, Italy) for their competent assistance in mounting and framing my project.

To Mr. Gabriele Somenzi of FOTO VIDEO (Massa, Italy) for the excellent quality of his photographic work.

MY BEST COMPLIMENTS

To Caron Collecting for the beauty of their threads which have inspired my project and enabled me to participate to the Online Design Contest #3.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: © 1998 Giulia Manfredini. Permission granted for shop owners and guilds to copy. One time reproduction privileges provided to our web site visitors for and is limited to personal use only. Any other use whether it be electronic or otherwise requires the express written permission of Giulia Manfredini.