Wednesday 26 February 2014

SAL Kantha - choosing a fabric,thread and transfer technique

I've decided to write about this sal only on Wednesdays so don't forget to check my wednesday posts every week from now on until we finish this project.
I've sent the pattern to all the participants except Julie. Please let me know if any of you had signed up but didn't receive the pattern. Julie – I couldn't find your e-mail id,so please do leave a comment with your id or send me an e-mail.
                                                  
                                      
Firstly I had to choose between linen,close weave high count cotton and silk fabric.After serious thinking I decided to go with silk fabric.The silk fabric has to be medium weight,high count with less sheen. Tusser silk has all the above said qualities and l had it in my stash already.I chose a light gold colored tusser silk, cut it to the required size, finished the edges to prevent fraying, rinsed it with mild soap, dried and pressed it.If you are a beginner then you have to be extra careful and cut the fabric along the grain.

The next step was to transfer the pattern onto the fabric.I reduced the pattern at 90% and used a 2H pencil to transfer the pattern,then brushed it thoroughly to remove the lead dust in case if there was any and pressed the fabric again.The pencil mark is darker than it appears in the photo

I had decided to use only stranded cotton threads otherwise known as embroidery floss in some countries way before choosing the pattern and fabric.I have almost full range of Anchor threads but many of the DMC shades are missing in my collection.So I'll be using only Anchor threads and if you want to use DMC floss or any other threads please go ahead.I'm afraid that I can't give the all the shade numbers as of now because I may not like a color and change it as I go.But I'll tell you the shade nos. that I've used after finishing an element of the design in each post.So if you want to work this pattern exactly as I do then please be patient until I finish an element and post it here.

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please feel free to leave a comment here.

Happy stitching!
Anita.


9 comments:

anu said...

Okie!The wednesdays help :).I have been checking in almost everyday since I got the design :).Looking forward to the SAL,Anita

Gembirdie said...

Hi Anita!

I've decided to do the SAL too - it'll cheer me up from the too cold temperatures outside. I'm going to do it the same size as the Chikan one, so I'll be able to frame both afterwards.

Cheers,
Isabelle

Kaddyshack said...

Hi, I'm a cross stitcher who really, really wants to learn embroidery (it's soooo pretty!!) and I just came across your blog with the SAL. Is it too late to join and obtain the pattern? If not, I'm including my email. If so, I'll keep watching your blog for future SALs. Thanks!!

cdye13 @ gmail . com

Erica said...

Thank you Anita - I am looking forward to this!

Wendy said...

I really hope to join in, I'm just not sure if I'll have the time... I'll keep watching the posts anyway! You say a close weave cotton - could I use quilting weight cotton? though I might have some linen too...

nsangheetha said...

Thanks Anita. will check the Wednesday's post.

Anonymous said...

I would be very happy to join if you accept me !
Michelle

my email : mi_aubry@yahoo.fr

Erica said...

Hi Anita - I have chosen a closely woven cotton/ramie blend. Like you, I have reduced the pattern a little. I think I shall use the finished embroidery as a panel for a bag.

Anonymous said...

Hi Anita, I would like to join the class. I have sent an email to artisticfingers2012@gmail.com. my Id is shakila101@yahoo.com thank you from saudi Arabia..