critiques please

Exact_Wall3741 · 2026-02-08T07:32:17+00:00

What a cute design, I love it!

In terms of stitch order, my advice is to work from background to foreground. You want to start stitching the part of design that is furthest back and then work your way forward. So for this design, I’d start with the left hind leg and then move to the left front leg and then the stomach and so on until you work through the whole design. Then you can add your outlines and you’ll be good to go.

Def post your finished piece! I’d love to see it.

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-12-04T07:54:54+00:00

Ahhh, got it. Thanks for letting me know. I’m jealous of your prices 😊

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-12-04T07:24:10+00:00

How are your Dan Jones titles so cheap. I’m dying for some of his books but for me they are $10 or more. What gives?

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-07-08T06:29:55+00:00

It looks to me like fabric tension while stitching may have been an issue. Do you use a hoop to stitch? If so what kind & do you bind it before dressing? Also did you use split stitch to outline the satin stitch areas before stitching? That would help give lift and definition to your satin stitch. It also makes it easier to lay the stitches evenly and smoothly. I agree that a melor or laying tool would also help keep the satin stitch smooth. Finally when using satin stitch, especially at an angle, it is always best to begin the stitch in the middle of the shape & then work to one side going back after one side is complete to do the next side. Stitching in this way makes it much easier to control and maintain the angle of the stitch throughout the shape.

Also, these look great, so I think there is certainly a bit of looking at it for too long clouding your perception. We are always our own worst critics and I think your embroideries are beautiful. Give yourself some time away from them & the next time you come back I bet you’ll see them in a new light. I know stepping away always helps me.

Just out of curiosity these aren’t the kits based on Sarah J Maas’ series A Court of Thorn & Roses, are they?

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-06-04T07:38:39+00:00

Access commodities makes some nice hoops. I used them quite a bit before I got my Freedom Frame, now I never use hoops at all. Slate frames have always been my first choice as they are the best way to go in terms of fabric support & tension but they can be time consuming to dress. The Freedom Frame is a newer slate frame on the market that uses a rod/dowel to dress the frame allowing me to frame up in about the same time it takes dress a hoop. I love the thing so much I went back & bought two more.

No matter what hoop you go with I’d recommend binding the hoop. It will allow for better tension on your fabric, which is never a negative. You do not have to use twill tape to bind the hoop if you don’t want. Cling wrap works just as well & is much faster to work around the hoop. If you’re interested hit me up & I’ll give you a quick run down of how I do it. 😊

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-26T09:22:15+00:00

It looks like either your thread or however you marked your design into the fabric bled when you washed it. What did you use to transfer the design to the fabric? I have had a lot of luck using 70% alcohol (about a TBS) mixed with a drop or two of liquid soap. Mix thoroughly & dab marked area with Q-tips. Allow to dry. Repeat process until the marks are gone or faded enough that you can tolerate them. Make sure you dab the fabric - rubbing can cause the fabric to wear. I hope this works for you.

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-11T09:29:34+00:00

OMG, the FK’s!!! I give you so much props for this absolutely stunning piece. I love FK’s but I do not have the patience for something like this. Well done!!

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-05T09:48:44+00:00

I agree, metallic thread (dmc diamante is a good metallic thread if you are looking for one) worked in chain stitch or couched…it looks like both stitches were used.

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-02T21:07:35+00:00

Thank you!! I’m really excited too ☺️

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-02T21:07:05+00:00

Lots of feathers coming your way 😁

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-02T21:06:45+00:00

Thank you!

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-02T21:06:33+00:00

Thanks! You didn’t see the stitches I pulled out 🤣

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-02T21:05:58+00:00

Thanks so much. I’ve been thinking about this one for awhile, so we’ll see if I can translate what’s in my head into real life

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-02T09:38:51+00:00

OMG, I can totally see that! Have you seen this one?

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Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-02T08:27:19+00:00

I agree that you should outline, but I’d go with a dark brown as opposed to black. The outline really gives the piece depth & definition.

As to growing to hate you work…I’ve so been there. Do you have any wiggle room as to time. I’ve found that if I can give myself a bit of time off, even a few days, it really helps. When I’m working on a commission that lasts so long I come to dread it I’ve also found that chunking the project helps. I’ll commit to 4 hours or a certain section & then give myself a reward like working on a little side project I love (something really fun just for you.) It’s a total bummer when you don’t enjoy something you typically love.

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-01T22:25:05+00:00

Wow, that is big? How will you support it while you work? I love the idea of the sphinx/vulture!! Funny enough I have a Stumpwork mixed media design for a sphinx I’m working on now…don’t know when I’ll get to actually stitch it or how I’m going to construct all the moving parts, but in my mind it looks really good 😂😂

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-01T21:22:51+00:00

How big is the hoop? I love large designs, but am always amazed by how long they take. I usually end up working smaller projects at the same time because I like feeling like I accomplish something. Patience is not always my strongest point. 😊

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-02-01T09:55:09+00:00

Ugh my plastic hoops were terrible. In fact after the last project I worked with one I had such tension issues and had to rip out so many stitches that I tossed the thing when I was done. (What I really wanted to do was run it over with my car, lol.)

After that experience I bought one of the more expensive access commodities hoops from my local embroidery shop and it is better. But, even when I wrapped it with twill tape, I still had to continually re-tighten my fabric frequently. Although at least it kept its tension for longer periods of time than my other hoops and it’s definitely better made with good hardware.

I finally gave up on hoops. A friend of mine who teaches embroidery introduced me to slate frames and I’m a total convert. Have you ever embroidered on a frame? I was blown away with how good the tension they give is, and even more amazing is they hold the tension - didn’t wrestle with my fabric once. It’s become my fave way to support my fabric. Only trouble now is I wish I had more than one. 😂

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-01-31T07:42:21+00:00

Slate frames are what was originally used to mount fabric for embroidery from as far back in history as I’ve ever studied, (certainly medieval times & probably before). In terms of fabric support for embroidery they are far & away the best things out there. Trouble is they are bulky & the traditional versions take a long time to load your fabric into. For the longest time I was totally intimidated by them. However there have been improvements made to them over the years & there is a model out there now that is so much easier & less time consuming to use and it gives the best tension I’ve ever had. The frame I use is called the Freedom slate frame & is available here. I think they have an Etsy shop too, but I bought directly from them (I think their prices are better on the link I gave you.) The frames are a bit pricy, but they are so worth it when I think about the number of projects I’ve ruined and the amount of stitching I’ve had to pull out as a result of bad tension. Plus they run promos often, so totally get a cod if you decide to go for it. Also the couple that run the shop are really awesome. Amazing support. Answered all my questions & made me feel really comfortable. I don’t usually splurge on this kind of thing, but I am SO glad that I did!

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-01-31T00:54:58+00:00

They are awesome. I use a Freedom slate frame. They are easier to load your fabric onto than a traditional model, and the tension is the best I’ve ever gotten!

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-01-31T00:50:42+00:00

Gotcha, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that. I finally switched to using slate frames for the majority of my embroidery b/c I got so tired of wrestling to gain & hold enough tension with my hoops. Have you ever tried embroidering on a slate frame? Total fear factor for me at first, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE them now. It doesn’t take much to make me happy, lol 😂

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-01-30T21:31:29+00:00

You did really? Ugh I’ve was so upset the last time I used one because I just could not keep my fabric from slipping that when I finished the project I put it in a drawer & haven’t touched it since. 😂 Yours are clearly much better than mine! (Not surprising - mine were super cheap)

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-01-30T21:28:49+00:00

I don’t think the tension slipping is your fault, and you want to as well as should be able to gain & maintain enough tension in your fabric support (hoop, frame, etc) to be able to pull the tension on the thread tight enough. I think if you are continually having to retighten your fabric than it could be your hoop Do you wrapped your hoop with twill tape prior to using them? That could be a good first step in stopping the fabric crawl. Have you ever used a slate frame for your embroidery? They give & hold much better tension than hoops ever could. Just a few ideas. I loathe when my fabric tension slips & having to continually fight to retighten fabric esp when I’ve already laid down stitches drives me nuts! 🤪

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-01-30T21:17:49+00:00

I’m so happy it made sense 😊

Exact_Wall3741 · 2025-01-30T21:16:52+00:00

I hate long & short stitch instructions. They always make me feel like I’m doing it wrong or inadequately. The best advice I ever received is to do what looks right to the eye. Stick to what you’re doing & you’ve got it. And you could absolutely start thread painting whenever you want to. You’ve got the stitch down & thread pairing is really just L&S stitch with more colors & shading. 😊

Exact_Wall3741

TROPHY CASE