I have to admit that I'm a conservative stitcher. I don't often deviate from a chart...well, not on purpose anyway. (Mistakes don't count as legitimate creativity. Ha ha!) But maybe you're finding that you're feeling a little antsy when you stitch. Maybe you would like to try something new, but you don't know where to start?
One of the easiest ways to change course is to do fiber substitutions to your liking. I'll be the first to admit that I have a mountain of DMC floss in my stash, but a few years ago when I tried Sampler Threads, I thought, "Wow! This is so much fun!" That's when I designed the Fruit Sampler you can download for free on my site -- the threads inspired me. I've done a great number of Shepherd's Bush kits with silk flosses. They forced me to use a fiber I had been a little afraid of. Believe me, silk is just about as good as it gets. Your stitching takes on an entirely new look that you'll just fawn over, and it feels great in your hand.
I have conversion charts online for Sampler Threads, Soie Cristale Silks, and Weeks Dye Works flosses. Find colors similar to those called for in a chart, and just substitute them. I've also had customers substitute entire lists of fibers for something else. For example, the Summer Sampler by Butternut Road (a beautiful and very popular piece) calls for Watercolours by Caron Collection -- it's kind of like a chunky overdyed perle cotton. They're gorgeous, but imagine the same piece done in Caron Waterlilies -- 12-stranded silks -- on a fine linen. A completely different look, and also gorgeous.
Have you found a chart you like (maybe one in your stash), but the colors seem outdated? Spruce up those colors by changing them to new colors. A good way to start would be to pull out all of the colors called for in the chart and lay them down. Then, look through your floss, or through a conversion chart, to find colors you prefer. Instead of Avocado Green, try Hunter Green. Instead of Rust, try Burgundy.
Another small adventure if switching your fabric habit. Still stitching on Aida? Linen is nothing to be afraid of. Once you've tried it, you'll never go back (just ask anyone who stitches on linen!) Tired of stitching on white, antique white, cream, off-white, antique ivory, ivory...(you get my point)...use the color called for in a design, or switch to something you like. If you can find a color of fabric that is the same as or very close to a color of floss in that chart, your piece may look grand on a colored fabric. Use what you like! You'll find a DMC color conversion for fabrics on my site as well -- look in my catalog.
One last suggestion I have is to try a new designer. I do have my favorites, but it's so much fun every once in a while to try someone new. You'll use colors and stitches you haven't before, and it feels like a mini-adventure. You really have no idea how it will all turn out, but getting there is most of the fun. And you might just find a new favorite. There are so many great designers now -- have fun looking!
© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com