V I V A Z I V A ! n e w s l e t t e r

▪volume number: 1415 ▪ FREE MONDRIAN STYLE SERVING TRAY DESIGN ▪

Thanks so much for subscribing to the VIVA ZIVA! Newsletter.

We’ll be issuing a newsletter regularly, with a new free design each time... exclusively created for this newsletter.

NEW DESIGNS JUST RELEASED!

We’ve just added 3 MORE ‘MY FRENCH COUNTRY’ DINING CHAIR SEAT COVERS DESIGNS to add to ‘My French Country’ Series...

PLUS 5 COLLAR NECKLACE DESIGNS … a new collection from ZIVA VOGUE!

CREATE THIS BOLD, COLOURFUL, MODERN STITCH SAMPLER!

It features a variety of TEN stitches including TWO new ones for a cutting edge free design for a contemporary BLACK LACQUER TRAY…

Stitches you’ve tried in other newsletters such as Cross Stitch, Scotch Stitch, Brick Stitch, Mosaic Stitch, and Gobelin Stitch are included, PLUS new ones to try called PARISIAN and CASHMERE Stitches.

WHAT’S IN EACH VIVA ZIVA! NEWSLETTER?

• New Designs & Updates
• Ask the ZIVA DIVA!
• Your Stitch to Try
• FREE Design
• Next Issue

NEW DESIGNS & UPDATES

THREE MORE ‘MY FRENCH COUNTRY’
DINING CHAIR SEAT COVERS DESIGNS

Thanks for your wonderful response to the original seat cover ORCHARD SERIES designs we released last fall (2013)!

As promised, I've just added 3 more designs to MY FRENCH COUNTRY GARDEN SERIES with delicate repeat patterns in different classic styles… spring wisteria, summer hydrangeas and broad arrowhead (above) for the fall!

And I’m not finished! More designs for the Garden Series are in the works!

REMEMBER- Custom colours are possible to go with your décor.
Also these new designs would work well as cushions!

NEW COLLAR NECKLACES DESIGNS

OUR FIRST COLLAR NECKLACES DESIGNS HAVE JUST BEEN RELEASED!

These voguish collar necklaces’ designs will add a striking touch to whatever you’re wearing!

Whether you wear them with your Little Black Dress or something more casual chic and colourful, they will give an exclusive look!

Go to our Collar Necklaces page and I’m sure you’ll find a design to suit your style and wardrobe!

ZIVA’S DESIGN UPDATES

ZIVA CHARTS

We’re specialists in hand-painted needlepoint canvases, BUT we wanted to offer you a choice by providing some of the designs in CHART FORM!

WHY?

Some of our smaller designs such as small purses, small cases, etc. can be expensive to hand-paint because of the hours still involved.

As a response to your requests, we are going to start providing CHARTS … the first charts will be for the COLLAR NECKLACES patterns!

They have been designed very precisely for 18 gauge canvas, so we think the chart form suits them very well.

All these collar necklaces designs will be available in chart form ONLY on the ZIVA SHOPPPING PAGES by June 2014!

Subscribe to our Needlepoint Designs Blog to be sure you don’t miss their release!

ASK THE ZIVA DIVA!

Dear Marz,

You asked me an important question, but I couldn’t get the email address you provided to work to get back to you! So, if you don’t mind, I’ll answer it here.

QUESTION:
Dear Sylvia,

Re: “…piano bench needlepoint. Can the canvas be provided in 2 or 3 pieces that are stitched together upon completion of the needlepointing? I ask because I think handling the whole bench cover size while needlepointing would not work well for me. Thank you for your help.”

Marz, from Canada

Dear Marz,

Piecing needlepoint sections together after they’ve been stitched is something I try to avoid, whether it’s for piano bench covers, area rugs or any large piece.

Here are my reasons why:

• SEAMS

  One piece tapestries are the strongest type since they have no seams.

  If you work the tapestry in segments, they may be easier to stitch and block, but they are the most fragile because of the seams, making them vulnerable to wear and dirt.

• STITCHING TENSION

  Individual stitching tension can vary from day to day, particularly when not using a frame.

  Ideally, all the segments should be worked on the same frame. Otherwise exact blocking is very difficult.

• BLOCKING SEGMENTS

  All segments must mesh exactly and be perfectly blocked, ideally on the same board.

  However, it’s hard to avoid some distortion when stitching, so blocking out the imperfections can become difficult, particularly when the motif has to match perfectly from segment to segment.

• JOINING SEGMENTS

  A design that is already in segments, such as a patchwork design with obvious breaks, would be easier to join, but you will still end up with a fragile tapestry, because of all the seams.

  The usual method for joining segments is to hem the edges and sew the folds together with heavy thread or yarn in a decorative stitch, and make it part of the overall design.

  However, butting a tapestry with a continuous motif is very difficult and is asking for grief.

  There are other methods of joining segments, but they are usually done while the stitching is in progress, so you end up with the canvas getting larger as you go. Not what you are looking for.

BEST SOLUTION?

I agree that large projects such as piano bench covers are bulky to stitch and heavy, but using a frame on a floor stand can help to alleviate much of this problem.

MY TIP?

You have another (rather unorthodox) option.

When I stitched my own piano bench, (without a frame), I rolled the canvas I hadn’t stitched yet, and clipped both ends with large plastic paper clips to keep it in place. As I progressed, I rolled the finished tapestry the same way, so I was working on a small portion at one time.

This is similar to rolling your piece on a frame, but without the frame!
It’s not as bulky, but it still can be heavy to handle, depending on the size.

I hope my thoughts help you on making a decision on how you will approach your piano bench cover project.

Please let me know how you get on.

Regards,

Sylvia

That’s been my experience with working on large needlepoint projects.

JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION!

HAVE YOUR SAY!

WHAT WORKS FOR YOU WHEN STITCHING LARGE CANAVASES?

DO YOU PREFER STITCHING IN SEGMENTS or USING A FRAME?

ANY TIPS FOR BLOCKING AND JOINING SEGMENTS ON LARGE PIECES?

All these decisions have to be made at the point when you’re starting up a large project.

Please add your comments, experiences or tips on the HOW TO START page!

We want to hear from you!

YOUR STITCHES TO TRY

We’ve created a modern stitch sampler exclusively for our subscribers with a variety of TEN stitches including TWO new ones for a cutting edge free design for a contemporary BLACK LACQUER TRAY.

As a true reference sampler, you find some old friends that you learned to stitch from earlier newsletters; such as the, Cross Stitch (newsletter#1006), Scotch Stitch (#1314), Brick Stitch (#1313), Mosaic Stitch (#1108), and Gobelin Stitch (#1007).

Go to our newsletter back issues page to refresh your memory about these stitches!

And we’ve added two more for you to try…. the Parisian Stitch and the Cashmere Stitch!

THE PARISIAN STITCH
AND THE CASHMERE STITCH

THE PARISIAN STITCH

This vertical stitch comprises alternating one stitch over 2 threads and one stitch over 4 threads making up horizontal rows that fit together.

The Double Parisian Stitch (left)is the same idea but alternates with 2 vertical stitches over 2 threads, then 2 vertical stitches over 4 threads.

THE CASHMERE STITCH

The Cashmere Stitch, is worked similarly to Tent stitch, working right to left, but is worked as a block of stitches featuring differing lengths.

As shown in the chart above, a group of 2 short and 2 long diagonal stitches is worked to form a small rectangle.

With the stitch sampler design below, depending on the count, a Staggered Cashmere Stitch (right) is used.
There are 3 vertical compensation Tent stitches alternating at the end of each row to give a staggered effect.
See stitch sampler allocation chart below.

PRACTICE THESE NEW STITCHES FIRST!

Keep practicing following the sequence of stitching in the charts above until you feel confident that you’ve got these new stitches! Then you are ready to stitch the free design.

FREE DESIGN

‘GEOMETRIC PRIMARIES’ SERVING TRAY DESIGN

I wanted to create a modern design to incorporate as many stitches from past newsletters as possible for an up-to-date stitch sampler… and, of course, introduce your new stitch to try!

INSPIRATION FROM MONDRIAN

I looked to the modernist abstract paintings of early 20th century art for my inspiration.

Dutch painter, PIET MONDRIAN, created abstracts consisting of a white ground, upon which was painted a grid of vertical and horizontal black lines and the three primary colours of red, yellow and blue.

A PERFECT STARTING POINT FOR MY ‘GEOMETRIC PRIMARIES’ DESIGN!

THE RESULT?

A cutting-edge design adapted from Mondrian’s paintings with a variety of 10 stitches including 2 new ones for a small modern serving tray.

To create this contemporary sampler in clean, crisp lines, I limited the selection of most of the stitches to vertical or horizontal ones.

If a diagonal stitch was used, I chose only those that created small square or rectangular blocks, like the Cashmere Stitch, Cross Stitch, Mosaic Stitch and Scotch Stitch.

I changed the colour of one of the rectangles from white to grey to update the design to fit better into today’s interiors.

I also devised that each square or rectangle in the same colour was stitched with a different stitch.

For example, with the 4 red rectangles, you’ll see one stitched in the Cross Stitch , one in the Scotch Stitch, one in the Cashmere Stitch, and one in the Double Parisian Stitch.

The following is what you need to start stitching this dramatic design… Enjoy!

READING THE CHARTS:

We normally provide you with a simple grid chart to follow for our free design, but that method won’t work completely when a certain dimension is required.

It’s extremely important with this design that your final stitched area is 9.5” square to fit the visible area of the serving tray.
This means you should use a 12 gauge interlock canvas to make up the total 114 threads (12 x 9.5”) square required.

NOTE: Interlock canvas is recommended for this design because it is generally more accurate than evenweave when having to meet a certain measurement.

However, we all know that needlepoint canvas, even interlock, isn’t always square!
So there has to been some flexibility with the chart.

Therefore we’re providing you the following charts which show:

• The colour allocation of the yarns and
• The stitch type allocation with numbers from 1 – 10.
• Thread Count by width and length for the pattern of squares and rectangles.
• The areas both horizontally and vertically marked on Thread Count Chart where we recommend you can add or delete stitches to make up the necessary 9.5”.

It will be up to you to keep an eye on the measurements as you’re setting up and stitching the design on the canvas.

If still needed, add more stitches to the outside black border with compensation Tent stitches to be sure the overall dimensions add up to 9.5” square.

NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• The Straight Gobelin Stitch is used on the border and for all the divider lines over 3 threads throughout.
• Entire design can be stitched in Tent stitch and still work OR use your favourite stitches to make a unique piece. But remember to keep an eye on the count.

COLOUR AND STITCH TYPE ALLOCATION CHART

STITCH ALLOCATION CODE

1 = Staggered Cashmere Stitch
2 = Cross Stitch over two threads
3 = Parisian Stitch
4 = Double Parisian Stitch
5 = Scotch Stitch
6 = Cashmere Stitch
7 = Vertical Brick Stitch
8 = Horizontal Brick Stitch
9 = Mosaic Stitch
10 = Straight Gobelin Stitch

NOTE: In two of the rectangles in the chart above, we have coded stitches N° 1 (Staggered Cashmere Stitch) or N° 6 (Cashmere Stitch). You can use one or the other depending on your final overall count. This is explained further under section Starting Up and Stitching in Progress below

THREAD COUNT CHART

YARN COLOURS

All colours for this Stitch Sampler design are chosen from DMC Laine Colbert tapestry wool yarns.

I chose these yarns because they are quite thick and cover well, particularly when stitching horizontal or vertical stitches.

But you may want to use other fibres like silk, or silk and wool blend. They will work as long as you add enough yarn on your needle to guarantee canvas coverage.

Only six colours to consider if choosing another fibre…. the primaries of red, yellow and blue, plus the neutrals of black, white and light cool grey.

The following DMC wool yarns are readily available at your local needlepoint shop or online.

6 Laine Colbert yarn colours :

• # 7544 red – 2 skeins
• # 7726 yellow - 2 skeins
• # 7038 blue – 2 skeins
• black – 3 skeins
• white – 2 skeins
• #7568 light grey – 2 skeins

OTHER MATERIALS

You will also need :

• mono interlock canvas at 12 mesh; 16” (40 cm) square
  
• Needlepoint Needle: For 12-mesh canvas, use size 18 needle
• Masking Tape
• fabric glue or sewing needle and black thread
• For making up: Sudberry House Small Square Tray in black, red or white. Go to http://www.sudberry.com to order

Go to the ZIVA site for more detail info on the MATERIALS required.

STARTING UP AND STITCHING IN PROGRESS

STARTING UP

• As usual, start by putting masking tape on the canvas edges to protect the yarns from getting frayed.
• As shown in the photo above left, I’ve started by measuring 9.5” wide and high and marked the outline with a waterproof magic marker. Ideally, that should be a 114 thread count at 12 gauge canvas (9.5” x 12)
• Because canvas stretches and isn’t always true, your first priority is to work to the 9.5” square to fit the serving tray’s visible area and not the overall thread count.
• Start by stitching entirely the black border 9.5” outline in the Straight Gobelin Stitch
• Then start at the top right and count the threads for the 2 black vertical dividers in the first horizontal row based on the counts provided in the Thread Count chart above
• The vertical row at the left of the design has purposely been created with stitches that can adjust in count depending on the measurement. For example, the yellow Cashmere stitch at the top left will be a staggered stitch or not, depending on your final count for this section. (See areas noted on Thread Count Chart above)

IN PROGRESS

• As in the photo above right, continue to stitch the black dividers from top to bottom based on the count provided in the chart above
• Then continue to stitch the allocated stitches in their respective squares or rectangles
• If the design top to bottom is less than 9.5” add a Tent compensation stitch(es) top and/or bottom of the tapestry to make up the difference. (See areas noted on Thread Count chart above)

MAKING UP SUGGESTIONS

Once you’re sure you’ve got the dimensions right, block your stitch sampler to 9.5” square.
THEN CHECK THE DIMENSIONS AGAIN!
You may have to add compensation stitches around the border again after blocking if the canvas shrinks slightly.

Follow the instructions from Sudberry House for making up the tray.

MAKING UP TIP:
If you find your tapestry is too thick to fit comfortably under the glass, don’t stretch it around the mounting board as instructed

Instead fold it back on itself and trim the raw canvas edges to ½” and glue (with fabric glue) or hand-stitch down as flat as possible. Make sure the corners are not too bulky. Double face tape the canvas to the backboard provided.

Then assemble as instructed!

You tray is ready for entertaining!

Invite a friend over to tea, and have her marvel at your creation!

WHAT NEXT?

The next VIVA ZIVA! Newsletter #1416 will be issued in the fall of 2014.

I’ll be including:

• New Designs & Updates
• Ask the ZIVA DIVA!
• A new Stitch to Try with a
• Free needlepoint design: to be announced in September 2014
• And lots of other features!

Please contact me if there is a particular stitch you’d like me to use for a free design in a future newsletter!

Share this newsletter with friends and relatives.
They can also go to my subscription page on the site to get on the mailing list for the next VIVA ZIVA! Newsletter

Looking forward to sending you the next newsletter!

Sylvia McLeod