More Be Alice : Fáilte

I enjoyed stitching the Irish harp and decided to buy a couple more kits from Be Alice. One I thought might make a gift for a stitcher, and the other I could make as a gift for an Irish-inclined relative.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos along the way. Worked in a 6" frame, it was again, a pleasure to stitch. The stitches are simple but varied. I made only one change, working the lettering in Quaker stitch, rather than the recommended backstitch. It took a couple of evenings to stitch, probably about 8 hours. The thread provided is organised on a card and in decent quantity. I had enough left to make a twisted cord but not so much I needed to find a storage solution. I appreciate a designer who takes the trouble to work out how much is needed, rather than oversupplying on a guess. 

I wanted to gift this as something that could hang on an office door. For those who are not into the Irish Gaelic, fáilte means welcome.  Failte Ireland is the trade mark of the Irish Tourism Development Authority. Pronunciation varies throughout Ireland, but standard is s something like Fallcha (easy enough to look it up).

While stitching it, I was fortunate enough to find a green 6" display hoop on the Guild's trading table. Perfect. 

I also had plenty of green ikat to use as a backing. The hardest bit of the exercise was stitching the backing on tightly to ensure both a smooth and a secure fit. I stretched and pinned, stretched and pinned and stretched and repinned. 

I then sacrificed a needle to working on a tight angle right on the edge of the frame. It worked,  I doubt a circular needle would have been any better, given the tightness of the angle.

It now sits firm and smooth.

I finished it late in November, but as it was a Christmas present, i have held this post over. 

I hope it does its welcoming job.

                                                       

Irish Harp by BeAlice

I am trying not to buy more kits, but was recently seduced by an Irish Harp by Be Alice.  Her kits can be ordered as part of an annual subscription or purchased individually. The harp caught my eye and I ordered it. Since finishing the longer knitting projects, I've been ticking off these shorter embroidery projects to avoid adding to my stash.

The design was beautifully printed (maybe bleached?) into the fabric, making it easy to see.The instructions were very clear and would, I think, work for someone with little experience.

I really enjoyed working it.

 

Once finished, I tested out mounting it in a green hoop, but rejected that.  Instead, I found a piece of batik and backed the whole piece, folded in the corners and added a zip to form a bag.

I embroidered over the seams, using fly stitch on the narrow gap and closter blocks on the wider one. I didn't like the look of these, so went over the top of them with fly stitch.

That seemed to work well.

As  final touch, I ordered a shamrock token to make the zip easier to open and close. It arrived today.  

       

It needs another good iron, before being put to good service as a gift bag.