Hi Coni, I have stitched many an Ehrman kit. I have always done mine on scroll rods, starting in the upper right corner, but I don't think there's any hard and fast rule. One thing to keep in mind is that all the designs are charted in tent stitch; I don't like working basketweave or continental in hand (I like a nice flat canvas) but I have a good friend who always stitches in hand. Enjoy!
I've stitched a few tapestries and I used a floor stand for mine, the sort that you can swivel to get to the back of the work for fastening off. I tend to start everything, be it tapestry or X stitch on the left hand side because of the way I do my crosses or tent stitches. My tip would be to have your lengths of wool, if that is what you are using, short, as they tend to fray easily when pulled through the canvas.
If I use a frame, I stick to Q-snaps, but I find if I'm doing basketweave it's just easier to do it in-hand. Especially in the case of large basketweave pieces. I've never done an Ehrman, but I've done other British painted canvases - two Glorafilia and two Millennia Designs, and they also called for, well, tent stitch for the complicated bits with lots of fiddly colour changes, but basketweave where possible. I start where the design wants me to start! Always leaving the background for last, but otherwise I just start from where I won't be constantly moving over the already stitched bits. As one does. And the mesh is nice and large and clear, so the living is easy. My problem with Glorafilia is that though I love the designs (and have 2 huge ones looking reproachfully at me from my stash), they supply Anchor wool which is too thick, and then joyfully recommend splitting it! Which is not happening; hence the delay. I'll get there some time; meanwhile, just enjoy yourself and keep us informed.
I've done an Ehrman. I use a frame, and stitch in basketweave where possible, to minimize distortion of the canvas. I do a lot of background and then fill in the colors, before moving the frame.
I just finished one. I stitched it on stretcher bars. I tacked it down ... maybe more than I needed to, but I had tacks almost very inch. It worked very easily that way. But, I wish I had decided how to actually do the stitching before I started. I started using the painted canvas as my guide and quickly discovered that the paint and the 'chart' disagreed. I took out the stitches I had put in and worked from the chart the rest of the way. When I was through, I used a wet sponge and removed all the paint. It did take 2 passes to complete that.
I would recommend using some sort of stretcher bars ... mine were simple wooden bars.
Hit return too quickly. I am an upper left hand corner starter for cross stitch, but on this I started upper right hand corner. My kit was Heraldry. Loved it. I did make some changes because it was to be a gift for a grandson and I wanted to personalize it. I did all stitches as tent stitches, but there was ample yarn to do it as basketweaave.
I have done one in hand from a lonnnnng time ago. Many, many color changes which is why it took so long! I had heard correctly as it turned out that they did not supply enough yarn. I think because the design had so very many stops and starts w/literally no "background" it sucked up the wool yarn. It did turn out really beautifully. If I did another one, I would put it on a frame as it did get distorted.
In Greece we very rarely use stretcher bars Coni but maybe this is the reason that not too many people cross stitch there these days? (laughing....). Well, I LOVE Whimsical Animals series form Ehrman Tapestry. The only reason I have not started one yet is the price: too expensive a kit, I find. BUT, because life is short (as I have been reminded lately) either Red Fox, or Owl (or maybe the Stag) will be in my hands/life one of these days.
I've not done an Ehrman, but have done Elizabeth Bradley. I much prefer stretcher bars or scroll frame. I tried QSnaps and didn't like the bulk. Most of mine were large enough canvases that I worried I was doing damage to the work when I have to shift it. I have all manner of scroll frames, a lap type and a floor type.
I've stitched several Ehrmann, all in hand. I love the results. I've only run out of yarn once, simply substituted a similar color and was happy with the results. I always use basketweave whenever possible. (i recently lost my Jack Russell, Sassy. She looked a lot like Stewey, so his photos always tug at my heart.)
Hi Coni, I have stitched many an Ehrman kit. I have always done mine on scroll rods, starting in the upper right corner, but I don't think there's any hard and fast rule. One thing to keep in mind is that all the designs are charted in tent stitch; I don't like working basketweave or continental in hand (I like a nice flat canvas) but I have a good friend who always stitches in hand. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIn hand and basketweave, it has been a long time. I don’t know if my hands would enjoy that now.
ReplyDeleteI've stitched a few tapestries and I used a floor stand for mine, the sort that you can swivel to get to the back of the work for fastening off. I tend to start everything, be it tapestry or X stitch on the left hand side because of the way I do my crosses or tent stitches. My tip would be to have your lengths of wool, if that is what you are using, short, as they tend to fray easily when pulled through the canvas.
ReplyDeleteIf I use a frame, I stick to Q-snaps, but I find if I'm doing basketweave it's just easier to do it in-hand. Especially in the case of large basketweave pieces. I've never done an Ehrman, but I've done other British painted canvases - two Glorafilia and two Millennia Designs, and they also called for, well, tent stitch for the complicated bits with lots of fiddly colour changes, but basketweave where possible. I start where the design wants me to start! Always leaving the background for last, but otherwise I just start from where I won't be constantly moving over the already stitched bits. As one does. And the mesh is nice and large and clear, so the living is easy. My problem with Glorafilia is that though I love the designs (and have 2 huge ones looking reproachfully at me from my stash), they supply Anchor wool which is too thick, and then joyfully recommend splitting it! Which is not happening; hence the delay. I'll get there some time; meanwhile, just enjoy yourself and keep us informed.
ReplyDeleteI've done an Ehrman. I use a frame, and stitch in basketweave where possible, to minimize distortion of the canvas. I do a lot of background and then fill in the colors, before moving the frame.
ReplyDeleteI just finished one. I stitched it on stretcher bars. I tacked it down ... maybe more than I needed to, but I had tacks almost very inch. It worked very easily that way. But, I wish I had decided how to actually do the stitching before I started. I started using the painted canvas as my guide and quickly discovered that the paint and the 'chart' disagreed. I took out the stitches I had put in and worked from the chart the rest of the way. When I was through, I used a wet sponge and removed all the paint. It did take 2 passes to complete that.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend using some sort of stretcher bars ... mine were simple wooden bars.
Hit return too quickly.
DeleteI am an upper left hand corner starter for cross stitch, but on this I started upper right hand corner. My kit was Heraldry. Loved it. I did make some changes because it was to be a gift for a grandson and I wanted to personalize it. I did all stitches as tent stitches, but there was ample yarn to do it as basketweaave.
I have done one in hand from a lonnnnng time ago. Many, many color changes which is why it took so long! I had heard correctly as it turned out that they did not supply enough yarn. I think because the design had so very many stops and starts w/literally no "background" it sucked up the wool yarn. It did turn out really beautifully. If I did another one, I would put it on a frame as it did get distorted.
ReplyDeleteIn Greece we very rarely use stretcher bars Coni but maybe this is the reason that not too many people cross stitch there these days? (laughing....).
ReplyDeleteWell, I LOVE Whimsical Animals series form Ehrman Tapestry. The only reason I have not started one yet is the price: too expensive a kit, I find. BUT, because life is short (as I have been reminded lately) either Red Fox, or Owl (or maybe the Stag) will be in my hands/life one of these days.
It's Despina
DeleteI've not done an Ehrman, but have done Elizabeth Bradley. I much prefer stretcher bars or scroll frame. I tried QSnaps and didn't like the bulk. Most of mine were large enough canvases that I worried I was doing damage to the work when I have to shift it. I have all manner of scroll frames, a lap type and a floor type.
ReplyDeleteI've stitched several Ehrmann, all in hand. I love the results. I've only run out of yarn once, simply substituted a similar color and was happy with the results. I always use basketweave whenever possible. (i recently lost my Jack Russell, Sassy. She looked a lot like Stewey, so his photos always tug at my heart.)
ReplyDelete