ASK31: Mosaic Magic
Description:
This dramatic geometric design, which resembles a mosaic tile, was originally developed as a class on counted borders. Three diamond borders and one square border are arranged with a square mat, intersecting bands, and a center medallion to form an interesting composition. Any two colors may be used to interpret this design as long as similar values are substituted, and the ones in the model were coordinated with a soft overdyed thread that is used in the two dominant borders. In addition to presenting interesting ways to plan borders and corner motifs, there are suggestions for handling color, compensation and scale in order to unify any border or "finishing touch" with an interior design. All of the borders presented are original arrangements that use open composite patterns, and the techniques used include couching and blackwork accents as well as some unusual canvas stitches.
This dramatic geometric design, which resembles a mosaic tile, was originally developed as a class on counted borders. Three diamond borders and one square border are arranged with a square mat, intersecting bands, and a center medallion to form an interesting composition. Any two colors may be used to interpret this design as long as similar values are substituted, and the ones in the model were coordinated with a soft overdyed thread that is used in the two dominant borders. In addition to presenting interesting ways to plan borders and corner motifs, there are suggestions for handling color, compensation and scale in order to unify any border or "finishing touch" with an interior design. All of the borders presented are original arrangements that use open composite patterns, and the techniques used include couching and blackwork accents as well as some unusual canvas stitches.
Materials:
16" or 18" square 18-mesh Zweigart sand mono canvas
16" or 18" square stretcher frame
Watercolours:
1 1/2 skeins Coral Blush (Clove now closer to russet tones originally used)
DMC #5 pearl cotton:
2 skeins #356 medium russet
1 skein #807 medium blue
2/3 skein #918 dark russet
1 skein #806 medium dark blue
1 skein #838 dark brown
DMC #8 pearl cotton:
1 ball #758 light peach
1 ball #806 medium dark blue
DMC floss:
2 skeins #838 dark brown
1 reel (if frugal) #16 Kreinik braided metallic cord, #021C copper (may want to purchase 2)
1 skein Edmar Glory #128 russet (or Marlitt to match dark russet pearl cotton). This thread is
optional, but its sheen and lighter weight adds a nice highlight to one border.
Mill Hill beads:
1 package #62033 frosted coral
Tapestry needles: # 22, # 24, and #28
16" or 18" square 18-mesh Zweigart sand mono canvas
16" or 18" square stretcher frame
Watercolours:
1 1/2 skeins Coral Blush (Clove now closer to russet tones originally used)
DMC #5 pearl cotton:
2 skeins #356 medium russet
1 skein #807 medium blue
2/3 skein #918 dark russet
1 skein #806 medium dark blue
1 skein #838 dark brown
DMC #8 pearl cotton:
1 ball #758 light peach
1 ball #806 medium dark blue
DMC floss:
2 skeins #838 dark brown
1 reel (if frugal) #16 Kreinik braided metallic cord, #021C copper (may want to purchase 2)
1 skein Edmar Glory #128 russet (or Marlitt to match dark russet pearl cotton). This thread is
optional, but its sheen and lighter weight adds a nice highlight to one border.
Mill Hill beads:
1 package #62033 frosted coral
Tapestry needles: # 22, # 24, and #28