Olga bag

This is the Kasia Jacquot Olga panel, mounted ready to stitch. Now that birthday projects are completed I am back to the remaining 6 of these panels I have matched with bags.

I began with the leaves. There are a lot of them! 

I worked the first one in a dense leaf stitch, but moved to fly stitch, since it didn't make much difference to the look. 

I used the full 6 strands as Kasia recommends, running out of thread and substituting a slightly darker shade. I think that works. I used two strands for the veins in an attempt to mimic the print. I think that works too.

The stems were next - a relaxing, flowing task after so many leaves.

There was variety in the flowers, even though the stitch was fundamentally satin stitch. The shapes are cleverly varied, which keeps the stitching interesting.

I was tempted to work the blue circles with French knots but in the end stuck with the suggested satin stitch. I'm pleased I did. I think it provides unity, rather than raising the question What are those things?     

I get enormous satisfaction from these panels. They are the perfect mix for me of ideas and improvising. The colours in this one are harmonious and soothing. Once I've got that I can  work within the parameters.

Out of the hoop and ironed, the panel needed to be slightly trimmed to square it off,

I had chosen a blue bag and machined the panel on, deciding it needed a border for the transition. I tossed up between an unobtrusive blue or a defining orange. I initially thought blue, but changed my mind at the last moment.

I think it was the right call.

I find it very hard to machine the panels on dead centre. I pin them but think tacking might be the solution.  It has been ironed, but will benefit from hanging for a while.  

Let's see what's next.