Lost Momentum…
Where I had Got To..
I’ve run into a bit of a problem here. I still love the idea, and I still want to finish the Nefertiti Shawl, but I’ve lost all momentum, and all sense of structure.
Red and Blue Sections
I’m happy with all the red circles. I like the colour variation and the unevenness – in real life, in a half-decent light, which winter in Britain rarely provides, there’s a vibrant, lively feel, and the use of the line stitches reflects the original pattern I used for the filling. Good.
Blue Section
The blue section is where the trouble started. I’ve done two of them already in spite of my doubts because I’ve come across all too many instances where a piece only worked when I’d kept on through the doubts.
I’m not sure whether it is the yarns, the colours, or the stitches that are the problem, or even whether there is a problem at all.
The pashmina is in a lovely twill weave which flows beautifully, but it’s quite fine, and a lot of the threads are thicker.
Green Section
But the problems of the blue section fade into nothing when I get to the green. I love the overlapping scale pattern, and I was really looking forward to stitching it. But I can’t find a pattern of stitching that works, and again, I’m not sure whether this is the colour, the thread, or the stitch.
I have no idea how to sort this one out. Unless inspiration strikes, it will be some time before you see it again.
The Blue colour is fine. Would some kind of close couching stitch interrupt the flow of the cloth less? The stitch you used looks a bit hectic. Ancient Egyptian art has a look of measured certainty. The green threads are rather wishy-washy, neither fish, fowl nor good red herring! Hope this helps!
Sometimes it’s challenging. Once you made it you’re happy.
As you know I am struggling with my Mola bag. However, I have been trudging along, and the more I work the better the result gets. So my recommendation to you is not to give up but continue. The question is how. Try to figure out what it is that makes you dissatisfied, think up alternatives and try again.
Hope you feel inspired soon!
Sometimes a break from even thinking about a problem is in order. Wishing you a visit from the Muse of problem-solving!
I would simply put it away for a few weeks (perhaps until after Christmas), then hope that when I got it out again inspiration would strike!!
Would perhaps a different shade of blue in a different weight thread help? It is tricky, as you wouldn’t want to reduce the weight too much, since the other threads around it are of a similar weight. Good luck with the pondering!
I like the blue. Yes, I too suggest you put it away for a week or two and come back to it with a fresh mind. xx
So beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration. I’m hoping to do more sewing over the winter. I need some better lights though. It’s so dark in the house already and it’s only November. All the best with your projects. Karen
Beautiful work, the blue thread looks lovely. I think as said above, it would be better to leave the piece for a time and see how you feel about it later on.
I think the dark blue bars will fit in once there are more sections to balance everything. It’s semi-background to the larger panels. What doesn’t work, at a quick glance, is that pale blue/green colour and the greyish horizontal stitches. Fine on their own but both too wishy-washy to hold their own against the red circles. (Making the blue bars look wrong as a result.) Go for a much stronger, bolder turquoise-green with white or cream or a darker pine green for the blobs, or something on those lines, and I think you’ll be happier.
I like the red and blue very much. I like the stitches (very much!) and the threads of the third color, but the color seems a little too light. I don’t think it needs to be as strong as the red or blue, but stronger than it is. Let it marinate for a while, and thinking of something else, seems a good idea.
It’s definitely challenging.I like the blue next to red but pale green next to blue kind of fades out. How about adding a couple of red or the border colored stitches in the pale green area?