1/15/14

A Time to Stitch 4 Reveal

Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller are the creators of one of my favorite beading hops - A Time to Stitch. This is the fourth in their series, where one stitch is mandatory (in this case, netting) and participants are given a choice of three additional stitches to try (chevron, chenille and spiral were the supplementary choices for this reveal.)

I have done circular netting around an armature in the past, but, despite the fact that I loved the look, I had never tried stitching a length of horizontal, flat netting. I wanted a piece that would be dense but flexible, like fabric, and because this is a challenge, I decided on a three-bead net in a single color of size 15 charlottes. The pattern, by Beverly Herman, adds a picot edge at the turnaround at the end of each row. Very clever!

After I had stitched a couple of inches using my standard beading thread, 6# Fireline, I realized the resulting bracelet would be too flimsy for the button I'd chosen by Susan Barnes of the Fire Goddess. The weight was much improved by a test sample in 14# Fireline, but charlottes have very small holes, and the beads that received a second pass of thread were becoming too prominent in the weave. That's when I remembered a spool of 10# WildFire tucked away in a drawer. I had never used this brand before, but I quickly became a fan. It gave this project the substantial weight I was looking for, and the perfect drape!

My new bracelet called for some companion earrings, in Russian spiral. They're stitched in the same silver charlottes, with accent rows of glossy black cubes.


Much thanks to Christine and Therese for hosting us once again and for encouraging us to explore new territory. Now, hop around to all the participants' blogs where I know we're going to see some fabulous adventures in netting!


 


 

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24 comments:

  1. Amy S.January 15, 2014 at 7:30 AM

    These are both lovely pieces!! At first I thought these photos were in B&W....but then I see that they are silver. They came out beautifully - the bracelet has a very antique feel!

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  2. H.T.January 15, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    Wonderful and elegant netted bracelet.The earrings are the perfect match..
    Warm Greetings
    -Halinka-

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  3. kimmykatsJanuary 15, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    Oh I do love your color choices. These are both so beautiful! That bracelet is just so elegant!

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  4. Sweet FreedomJanuary 15, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    Beautiful set! I'd love to be able to feel that bracelet! Interesting to hear more about your experience with WildFire, too.

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  5. TanyaJanuary 15, 2014 at 11:14 AM

    That is a fabulous bracelet. I love the button closure. It looks so luxurious. The matching earrings are gorgeous as well.

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  6. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion)January 15, 2014 at 11:30 AM

    Pure elegance, Karin... that button is a perfect fit for the weave!

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  7. KepiJanuary 15, 2014 at 12:08 PM

    Beautiful set, very very nice.

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  8. Honey from the BeeJanuary 15, 2014 at 1:06 PM

    Elegantly simple looking with the colors, but ornate in the design! Love!!

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  9. Christine AltmillerJanuary 15, 2014 at 1:24 PM

    Karin~the bracelet is Beautiful. Silver is my first love and this one made me gasp. The seeming simplicity of the color and pattern makes this piece so stunning. I never did flat horizontal netting either (done it in the round hundreds of times) and found it a challenge. Yours was well worth the thread tests and the challenges that must have presented. The button and the way you made the button hole are wonderful. I love the earrings and how they go well with the bracelet but have that additional color. Lovely. Thanks so very much for signing on for this challenge, Karin! Your work...I just love it!

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  10. UnknownJanuary 15, 2014 at 2:16 PM

    Yeah, huge kudos for stitching that gorgeous bracelet in 15's! You chose gorgeous beads anyway, they set that button off perfectly, and then to chose the 3 bead setup was definitely the right choice. Love that the earrings match, but not exactly. That's the kind of 'matched set' that I like to wear. Great job!!!

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  11. JasvantiJanuary 15, 2014 at 2:19 PM

    Both your pieces are amazing, I like it a lot!!

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  12. Becky PancakeJanuary 15, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    Great job on your netting. I love the earrings.

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  13. Therese's TreasuresJanuary 15, 2014 at 5:36 PM

    Hi Karin,
    Your pieces are gorgeous and so elegant. I can picture them being worn with an evening gown at some formal event, or dressed down with a button down shirt and jeans. Thank you so much for participating in mine and Christine's ATTS challenge it is always a pleasure to see what you create. I hope that you will join us again for ATTS 5.
    Therese

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  14. BobbieJanuary 15, 2014 at 5:45 PM

    Karin, these are gorgeous! So elegant and intricate looking - you must wear them next time you watch Downton Abbey!

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  15. Paula, Chief Bead OfficerJanuary 15, 2014 at 9:06 PM

    What an elegant combination! Isn't it amazing the different the thread thickness makes? I just had a similar experience with some right angle weave earrings. Your netted cuff is a work of art and that button takes it to a whole new level. And the earrings are perfect. They could dress up or down. Great job!

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  16. LizJanuary 15, 2014 at 10:41 PM

    Classy all the way! I think the picot edge is perfect. Hurray for finding the right thread. It's amazing how much of a difference that can make.

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  17. UnknownJanuary 15, 2014 at 11:22 PM

    Karin, your pieces are so elegant..they would be perfect for an evening out at the Theatre.
    Crystie

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  18. AliciaJanuary 16, 2014 at 8:42 AM

    Oh, my, such an elegant bracelet - love it! I smiled a little bit at your troubles with the wire, it seems we all had some challenges to overcome (which is perfect, it meant we learned something) - you overcame yours beautifully! The spiral earrings are perfect companions - beautiful work.

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  19. ACBeadsJanuary 16, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    Karin, you've created two exquisite jewellery pieces. Amazing work.

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  20. AntiquityTravelersJanuary 16, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    I love the simplicity and romance if that bracelet ! Just gorgeous. And would never think to use Russian spiral for earrings. Brilliant!

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  21. PepitaJanuary 16, 2014 at 2:29 PM

    I really love your bracelet, it's just in my cords :-) Kind of minimalist and elegant, just perfect! The earrings are a really nice combinationto the bracelet.
    Alenka

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  22. KokopelliJanuary 17, 2014 at 4:00 PM

    Thanks for sharing the thread experiences with us. The cuff turned out great!

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  23. Nelly MayJanuary 18, 2014 at 8:16 PM

    What wonderful pieces. I absolutely love the look and feel of flat netting and tour bracelet perfectly showcases the stitch.

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  24. LoriFJanuary 19, 2014 at 2:39 PM

    Gorgeous set! I'm a Wildfire fan as well. :-)

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