Monday 29 June 2009

Mary, Mary, very scary!

Yesterday evening, having stitched on Mary Wigham all day I had one of those heart stopping, stomach churning, scary moments! I was about to start the last big motif along the top edge. In order to do so I needed to reposition my hoop. Then it suddenly struck me that it wasn't going to fit! So I did a quick count up of the stitches from the chart and the number of stitches I could fit on the fabric, it was close, very close, I have about 1 1/2 inches to spare. As you can see from this photo.

Mary Wigham SAL
So where did I go wrong? My fabric measures 24" x 24" which is the recommended size for 32ct linen. So this should give me 4" to spare as the design size is approx 20" x 20". This should give me 2" clear all the way round. So why did I measure in 4" from the top AND the side edge instead of 2"? What a doom brain! Fortunately the stitch count for the height is less than the width so I should have more to spare on the bottom edge.

This is the first time I have started anything from a corner, I usually start from the centre. All I can say is that I appear to have been VERY lucky and I won't be making that mistake again!

Anyway, on a brighter note I finished the August Calendar from Mill Hill last week.

August Calendar
I'm off to have a quick stitch on White Nights before tea. This is where I left it last time.

White Nights in St Petersburg

Happy stitching!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Simply put, it's a brain fart. I did the exact same thing on a project I just finished, I ended up with just an inch on one side. What a nail-biter that was!

Thank you for recharting the asymmetries on Mary Wigham. Marcy

Mel said...

I have done it too.
I'm sure that your Wigham will still work out for you! It's looking great.

Colleen said...

I have always started in the center, too so this is the first project for me to start at the top left. Fortunately, my LNS owner measured and marked for me where to start when she cut my fabric...WHEW! :)

lenna said...

Jen ~
Don't worry ~ being a picture framer, I have been left with less than that on occasion and still was able to frame it. Your piece is coming along and looks beautiful. How much fabric are you planning to show around the piece? As long as I have at lease a 1/4" ~ No problem.
Keep up the good work.
God Bless ~
Lenna

Yoyo said...

Oh, sorry to hear your first corner start went wrong. I have always stated at a corner, I find it much more difficult to start in the center...that I do get wrong. I understand the concept of a center start but I almost never get it exactly in the center, which counts when you're working on a towel inset or something like that.

A I'm truly astounded by Lenna's comment, I had no idea framing would work with anything less than 3 or 4 inches.

Maren said...

OH no! At least you'll be able to fit in on, even if it isn't centered (only your framer will know! :D )

Wow, your Chatelaine looks great! So very, very beautiful!

Cindy F. said...

Oh girl! That WAS a close one! I always start in the center too and I have done almost the same thing on my Mary!! I could have sworn I measured for a 3" border, but I'm coming up @ 2"!! Ha! I'd better stick with starting in the middle:)

Congrats on your "August" finish! It's too cute!!!