I have been working on the Grapes band of Dorcas Haynes. At my present rate of stitching, it looks like I will finish the outline of the grapevine this week! I should have the satin stitch and herringbone fillings well started by the end of April. Yay!

I don’t think I’ve mentioned what I’m stitching on or with. I am using 36 count Platinum from Zweigart. I love this linen. It is a really good choice, I feel, to showcase the jewel tones in the sampler. The sampler is stitched very densely so a hand dyed linen will not be able to shine, and further, there is a formality to band samplers I think which does not lend itself to the more vintage, primitive look of hand dyed. I have been trying to push myself to higher count linens for the challenge of it and also the precious look of the finished result, but for this one I feel that stitching on a very high count linen would make it hard to execute, but even more so, appreciate, the specialty stitches. I learned my lesson pushing that little Indigo Rose project to a higher count a few years ago! When mine is framed on the wall I don’t want to have to admire it with magnification! That said, I understand the antique is stitched on something closer to a 48 count very light and gauze-y linen. That’s ok too. Every stitcher’s work needs to be her own!

I am using Soie d’Alger. They are quite beautiful. I am very much looking forward to the satin stitching on the grapes. I think the grapes are one of my favorite parts of this sampler. The colors, the satin stitch…delicious.