Although we are still staying at home, the NJNA SOTM group is meeting via Zoom and making progress on this year’s project. Most of us are stitching ANG’s Stitch of the Month – an 8-pointed star by Kathy Rees reminiscent of a traditional quilt block. Each point of the star is a different stitch; the last four months of the year will cover the background.

All those who are stitching the project agree that the size of the project makes it very manageable for stitching each month. Since we all have other projects to work on, this SOTM allows for group stitching without a huge time commitment. The beginners among us are learning new stitches and the more advanced stitchers are refreshing themselves on how thread selections affect the look of a stitch.

Kathy’s model is stitched in reds (Watercolours Cinnabar and Cardinal) and blues (Watercolours Indigo and Polar Ice). Watercolours Caron Collection is a three-ply hand-dyed cotton thread with one ply equivalent to #5 pearl cotton. Other threads being used are Silk Lamé Braid, Petite Very Velvet, Mandarin Floss, and Neon Rays.

Several stitchers in the group have chosen Kathy’s colors and threads for their pieces. However, they do not all look the same! It’s really amazing how dye variations and thread travel paths affect the look of a piece.

Brenda, Janice, and Dee have all chosen the original colors and threads.

Dee

Of course, our group just loves to change colors and threads, and we select our annual projects with that in mind. We’ve come up with some other lovely combinations. Unless otherwise noted, the overdye threads are Watercolours.

Jill chose Celadon and Emerald for her greens and African Sunset and Weeks Dye Works Begonia for the pinks.

Tina’s grays are Quicksilver and Dense Fog while her blues are Silver Blue and  Blueberry.

 

Diane is stitching a variation of the original colors, using Williamsburg and Polar Ice for the blues and Williamsburg and DMC 814 Dark Garnet for the reds.

Robin is also using Williamsburg, along with Ticking, for her blues with Almond and Apricot Blush for the green/beige.

Rosie chose yellows – Creamsicle and Papaya – along with grays – Granite and Dark Suede.

Nancy is using Grape and Fuschia along with Hudson Bay and Elderberry Wine.

Ellen chose African Violet and Iris for her purples with Blue Lagoon and Tropical Seas for the blues.

Linda is using African Violet and Amethyst for the purples and Wasabi and Guacamole for the greens.

It is amazing how different the projects look depending on the variation in the individual threads as well as the contrast between threads. Some stitchers manipulated the threads to get a mirror image within the point.

We’re looking forward to the June stitch and checking in with each other. Additional photos will be posted on this blog as others in the SOTM group complete their pieces.

Happy Stitching!

Linda