So I was merrily stitching along on Tulips and Rose and I realized that I had done a terrible thing.
I finished a large section of Rosie's fur with the same stitching that I used for the tulips.
Aaarrrrrrgggggghhhhh! It was particularly noticeable when compared with the correct Rosie's fur stitching. I did take a moment and think, "well.... I could just leave it. No one but me will know what it was supposed to look like." But I couldn't.
Even DH, who entered my lair as I was grousing and mumbling profanities, agreed. "You can't leave it," he said. "It will bother you forever," he added helpfully . AAARRRGGGHH!!Of course, black thread on black fabric is a teensy bit difficult to see. And as anyone who has ever ripped out quilting stitches knows, thin thread is especially awful to remove.
So that evening, was I comfortably ensconced on the couch watching TV? Sitting on my can reading my book? Happily doing anything? No! I was bent over the ironing board with a seam ripper, tiny scissors, and a pair of tweezers picking out stitches. I discovered that the ironing board was a pretty good place to do this because, first of all, the light is good in my studio. Second, it provides a firm surface and I could flip the quilt back and forth to snip and rip. And third, it provides something against which to lean my tired self.
I'm pretty sure I heard the studio gecko snickering...
I used the dog hair remover roller thingy to gather up all the loose thread (sadly, it was not useful for threads that were not already loose).
I estimate that I probably spent twice as long reverse stitching as I did stitching it twice. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Yeah, I know that it's hard to see the difference. But guess how much fun it was to try to remove all those threads.
So now I'm a little stuck on the eyes. I'm not sure how to do the thread. Usually, when I paint them, I don't use any thread on them. But I'm thinking that the appliqué needs some thread to anchor it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm linking up today with Nina Marie at Off the Wall Fridays.
8 comments:
Wow! What a project to remove the stitching. The thread left a lovely design on the roller! :) But I am sure the end result will be worth the extra work.
I'm chuckling...I would've left it in because mistakes can be so useful, they provide a turn in the road. I usually end up loving my quilting mistakes...uh, once I figure out how to deal with them.
best, nadia
I'm so sorry about all your ripping! I had to do a bunch of that on one of my quilts recently and it is one of the most wretched ways to spend time!
Oh my I do feel for you, all that reverse stitching! Must have been hard to make the decision and once started you can't stop. It's got to be done. Hopefully you will be reminded to think twice next time you are stitching, so easy to just go with the flow and stitch merrily away! Using the tape roller was a good idea.
I just spent hours doing the same thing. I had the background finished on a pieced titled "Pink Perfection" and decided I didn't like it. I think it is best to de-stitch and be happy.
I have plenty of experience taking out stitches. I often find it meditative.... still not something I like to do. Isn't it amazing how fast the stitches go in, and how the time multiplies exponentially to take them out!!!
All I can say is "yikes"...been there...done that...
I know that situation all too well, picking out some close quilting I thought would work and didn't.
I, too, like the thread on that dog hair roller thingy!
glen: who owns several of them.....
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