Contentment
Texture reigns supreme in this cross stitch and ribbon embroidery project based on a quilt wall hanging by Christine Stansberry for Project House 360. This adaptation of the view from outside the window features a lovely garden of stitched blossoms.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Stitch Count: 71H x 70W
Design Size: 51/8" x 5"
Materials
• 11" x 11" piece 28- count cream Cashel linen from Zweigart®
• One skein each Treenway Silks Harmony six-stranded silk floss
• One skein each Treenway Silks 65 Roses® Harmony six-stranded silk floss (except two skeins of Leonidas and Miss Lemon Abelia)
• One skein Treenway Silks 65 Roses® Tranquility fine cord thread
• One skein each Silks 65 Roses® 3.5mm silk ribbon
• One skein Treenway Silks 65 Roses® 7mm silk ribbon
• One skein Treenway Silks 2mm silk ribbon
• One spool Madeira Accentuate Metallic Thread
• Size 26 tapestry needle
• Size 24, 22 and 20 chenille needles
Instructions
Cross stitch over two threads using two strands of floss and a size 26 needle and completing each cross stitch as you work. Where small symbols appear, work 1/4 cross stitch using two strands of floss.
For brick portion, to achieve a more realistic look, “puddle stitch” two rows of eight stitches, completing each stitch as you go. Repeat this step in a different location in the brick wall portion of the design until wall is complete.
Note: The designer also varied stitching with two strands of variegated floss color matched and two strands of variegated floss color offset to achieve a mottled look.
For vertical brick portion along window outline, bricks were stitched in areas of three cross stitches wide and eight rows high. Below the window, the bricks were stitched in areas of three cross stitched wide and two rows high.
For trellis, using an 18" length of pressed 2mm natural white ribbon and a size 24 needle, make one long vertical straight stitch and four horizontal straight stitches over bricks where red dots indicate.
For rose vines (left of window) and hollyhock stems (right of window), work backstitch over two threads using one strand of hosta garden fine cord thread.
For delphinium stems (below window toward right), work backstitch over two threads using one strand of rosa calvaria floss.
For cat whiskers and highlights, backstitch over two threads or work straight stitch using one strand of floss.
For “glare” on window panes, work backstitch over two threads or four threads using two strands of floss.
Referring to photo for placement, work spiderweb woven roses using a size 22 chenille needle and a single length of crimson glory 3.5mm silk ribbon for red roses and white tea rose 3.5mm silk ribbon for white roses.
Referring to photo for placement, work rose leaves below window using a size 22 chenille needle and a single length of Miss Lemon Abelia 3.5mm silk ribbon. Work leaves along rose vine using a single length of hosta garden 3.5mm silk ribbon.
Work hollyhock leaves as shown at bottom right in photo using a single length of hosta garden 7mm silk ribbon and a size 20 needle.
Referring to photo for placement, work French knots on hollyhock stems using one length of hosta garden 3.5mm silk ribbon and wrapping once around needle for large knots.
Refer to photo to work French knots on delphinium stems: Use two strands of floss and wrap once around needle to make small knots for top section of flowers. Use four strands of floss and wrap once around needle to make medium knots for middle section of flowers. Use one length of rose lake 3.5 silk ribbon and wrap once around needle to make large knots for bottom section of flowers.
For bee body, work short laid straight stitch using yellow portion from a length of 3.5mm Miss Lemon Abelia silk ribbon. Use one strand of raven black floss to add straightstitch stripes over the body. For bee head, work French knot using four strands of floss and wrapping once around needle. Add laid straight stitches for each wing using white tea rose 3.5mm silk ribbon.
For butterfly body, work straight stitch using four strands of raven black floss. For butterfly head, work French knot using four strands of floss and wrapping once around needle. For antennae, work backstitch using one strand of floss. For wings, work short laid straight stitch using one length of rose lake 3.5mm silk ribbon.