The Big Flower Band

I bit the bullet this week and picked the colors for the big flower band on Dorcas Haynes and figured out where the center should be. This figuring took an hour or so away from actual stitching time but now I can start stitching with confidence! I have to admit I also was hesitant starting this band because the Scarlet Letter declares it to be the most challenging band on the sampler and I had not yet personally decided if I wanted to do the outlines in Montenegrin or not. But the instructions do say to outline in cross stitch and in the interest of time that’s what I decided to do. The fillings are complicated enough to give interest to this band so I think it will be ok to be simple with the outlines.

Now that I’ve gotten this far I’m really happy with my choice.

The various fillings are satin stitch on the leaves, encroaching gobelin stitch on the flower stems, closed herringbone in 2 colors on the vine, and then choices for the flower centers (bullion knots? French knots?) and the flower petals themselves which look like a sort of patterned satin stitch. there are also many curlicues to embellish the vines.

At this time I’m feeling much less intimidated and feeling like I can probably get this done in a reasonable amount of time. I also have a lot of inspiration and motivation to stitch on it. So I’m feeling good about Dorcas and look forward to my stitching time every day I can squeeze it in!