Pattern Source: DMC Midsummer Meadow
Hoop Size: 8″ | 20 cm
Display Hoop (not affiliate link). These are funny little hoops. I didn’t read the listing closely at all, it turns out the “wooden” part is actually rubber! I think it still looks sharp and is certainly easy enough to mount!
Floss: All DMC 6 strand. I was remiss in logging my colors for this one (well, I logged all the colors on my bobbins, but then I’ve pilfered some of said bobbins for other projects), but I didn’t deviate far from the recommended colors.
Project Date Range: August 2023-February 2024 (didn’t work on it at all during holiday rush at the shop, Nov-Jan)
Pattern Changes: My ultimate conclusion about DMC patterns is to throw their strand counts out the window. I also dislike using 4 strands, it just seems wasteful (or is a hassle if you try to hang onto the 2 strand leftovers to use for other stuff). I think in an effort to keep things simple, DMC’s designers don’t get too noodly with strand specifications, but I really think this is setting stitchers up for frustration! Looking at the DMC sampler, there is literally no way the stitcher used 4 strands across the whole piece.
For most of the embroidery, I used 3 strands, except on the wheat heads (1 strand) and the French knot work (2 strands).
I also didn’t love the look of the leaf midribs and veins in the lavender and winter creeper, so left them off in my work.
Goals for Improvement: I chose this piece because I wanted to improve my stem stitch and this had a ton of practice for that! Alas, I still feel like my stem stitch is subpar. It’s definitely improving, and there are small sections that look correct, but overall, I’m very unhappy with that aspect of my work. I suspect it’s my technique, I will definitely look up some tutorials now that I haven’t been able to figure out how to improve the stitch on my own.
Conclusions: This embroidery makes me smile every time I see it hanging in my kitchen! I love the colors and the the overall flow of the plants. It’s a lovely piece :).
Thread & Thrum 