HAL #2 - Stitching the Centre Motif

[@tachiza1]

Thank you for all your help! I love you the way you teach! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

[@janetschultz1377]

Nina, Thank you so much for your wonderful videos. I have done hardanger for many years but so much appreciate the refreshers and new hints. Still rewatching all of your tutorials and loving every one.

[@Mamasmovietime]

I know I'm responding to an older video, I just needed to let you know, you are a great teacher. Very informative and easy to follow for this novice. I will be watching this whole series as well as all the rest you are showing. Thank you for your instruction. Theresa

[@pennybee89]

Thank you. Thank you. I've been looking for years to help myself with hardanger. I've done all styles of embroidery etc and I've wanted to do this for years. The books were misleading and I gave up in frustration. But now I found you and I can happily start stitching again during the pandemic and pay homage to my Norwegian roots. Thank you again.

[@diannalynnYT]

Can’t believe I just made this motif! Thank you!!!

[@souhabenali6760]

i'm tunisian women and i found your Hardanger so awesome thank you for your help

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I'm so glad you found this helpful!

[@jameshill3994]

Thank you so much for the videos it makes it so much easier to get it in your mind.

[@vildeh7684]

I struggle with just reading instructions, so seeing it like this is a tremendous help! I'm trying to carry on the tradition of hardanger stitching from my grandmother from Hardanger, so i appreciate these tutorials greatly! Much love from Norway!

[@kellysluiter5241]

I have finally started working on center motif and because I did your other tutorial on hardanger I am finding this so much easier. I think this tutorial will teach me how to read a pattern and the step by step process. So excited.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I'm so glad I was able to help!

[@NannyOggins]

I really enjoy your instruction vids they are just what I need as a beginner!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I'm so glad you've found these helpful. Thanks so much for watching!

[@chandrashivnaraine1391]

You didn’t perfectly, Iv been doing hardanger since 2002, I took a class that year, for one week for 3 days. thanks for the lessons. I have seen only you and Victoria sampler give lessons, both of you are doing fantastic job, keep up the lessons, and do not worry you make mistakes, we all do, we ar only human. thanks a lot, love watching you.

[@marie-reineyelle7086]

Ive had to go from left to right as I am left handed. Love how you teach. Thanks for doing this. I look forward to next step.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Marie-Reine! I'm glad you were able to figure out how to reverse this so that you could stitch it. Thanks for following along!

[@zenabeeduran5711]

I am glad your are back!!! I have all my supplies and getting started. Thanks for everything. You sa.y your not a professional but your instructions are perfect too me.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Thank you!

[@kfitz835]

TADA >>> I have a beautiful little star :) I like your dot & arrow chart, it's much clearer. Thanks Nina, looking for to next week's video.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Love the TADA!

[@threadsallover]

centre motif stitched, can't wait for next week

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

The next segment will be up soon!

[@ottedeneb746]

Woo! Already stitching! Yay! **dances around like a loon**

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Not only are you stitching but getting your exercise too!

[@AStitchTooFar]

Perfect timing! Needed a Hardanger piece to work on this weekend!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

You'll have this small motif done in no time!

[@beckytheobsessedstitcher1170]

Hi Nina! I have just finished the center motif. Thank you so much for your hand holding! I had to frog out star once and even the 2nd time was not completely smooth but I got it done. I see now in the notes the needle size - which I need to go purchase since what ever I'm using is too small. Thank you so much for this HAL!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

So glad you're finding this helpful and that you were able to finish the star. I do find that for hardanger I need a larger needle than for cross stitch. Thanks so much for your lovely comment!

[@Mamasmovietime]

Will you be doing anything in the future? Sure would watch!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I think about it every now and again, but for the moment the answer is not right now. Perhaps in the future....you never know! Thanks so much for your lovely comments.

[@chrissyhoyland4382]

hi just found your site Love stitching Hardanger. Havent made anything yet, been praticing. But now need to make somerhing I can be proud of. Where can I find your graphs showing the sequence of stitching this piece Would like to be able to print them off. Thanks for all your wonderful videos. Look forward to hearing from you on thid. Stay safe in this difficult time. Chrissy

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Chrissy. Glad you're enjoying my tutorials. Because this chart belongs to Nordic Needle, I am unable to send you anything as that would violate copyright law. I'm sorry.

[@saho_dreamstitch7501]

Hi Nina, thank you for the wonderful HAL. I enjoyed the previous tutorial so I am trying again. I have been trying to do the center motif but struggled a little. I did your previous tutorial using DMC Perle Cotton, and this time tried Caron Watercolours. I noticed it was much stiffer and fluffier, and as I was using a soft Hardanger fabric I had difficulty pulling the thread through the hole, and very difficult to pull out when mistakes are made. I practiced on a different piece of fabric and decided to go back to DMC. It might be just me, but I would not recommend Watercolours in a beginner. Maybe in future tutorials it might help to show the difference and texture of the threads up close and how they stitched up, and at least encourage beginners to try it out first. I am going to practice some more and try to catch up ;)

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi! Thank you for pointing this out. I will mention this in future videos as others may find this to be the case too (and may feel they are doing something wrong). I really appreciate this kind of feedback. And good idea on showing a close up of the threads. I would like to include the Valdani thread when doing this so may not get to it until after the stitch-a-long. I'm so glad you didn't give up but changed threads instead! Thanks again for your feedback!

[@jubejaher]

Great explanations!

[@robertsgamingtimeshorts2730]

You have a diagram in this video that you drew to help with the stitches. I thought it would be listed here but didn't see it. Do you have a link somewhere where it would be? Love your videos. Thank you

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Sorry to take so long in getting back to you. I was trying to find this diagram but have had no luck. I'll keep looking and if I come across it will email it to you. If you put your video to full screen and pause it, that may help. Will keep looking for it!

[@marthafernandez5826]

I'm loved your explication.

[@bonnielovaas5398]

Hi there…pattern not available from Nordic needle…is anyone willing to send me a copy so I can do this hardanger along? Thank you! Looked everywhere cannot find it to buy or a free pdf file!

[@louiseavellino8625]

Hi NINA , thanks for your tutorial you make it so easy to understand but the 2 problems i have are for this piece you are doing the only thing i don't understand is how big lenght and width is the fabric because i started it and i did the centre motif and the 4 closter blocks but i think icut the fabric a bit small , and my other problem is when you have a pattern with nothing in the centre from where do i start as i am a beginner . thanks i hope you answere me pls .sorry for writhing too long . LOVE FROM MALTA .LOUISE AVELLINO

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Louise. Thanks you, I'm glad you are enjoying the tutorials. I used 22 count Hardanger fabric for my demonstration. The finished size of the piece (on 22 count) is 10.4 inches square. I used a piece of fabric that is between 16 and 17 inches. In this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJrcY5h7aq2BrJI I demonstrate how to mark your fabric with sewing thread (to be removed later) so that you can start stitching at the centre. In the next video "HAL #2 - Stitching the Centre Motif" we start the actual stitching. I hope this helps!

[@louiseavellino8625]

thanks Nina i am finding it hard to do the centre motif as some times i can't see clearly the holes and i am using my glasses and a magnifier around my neck that is the the problem why i am restarting all over so many tomes that the material is loosing shape but i keep trying i never give up

[@deborahgraham521]

Great video, now I understand a little better, can I use a frame?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Yes, you can use a frame (or hoop, whatever your preference). You can use the sewing method (which I use) or the stab method. Most importantly, enjoy!

[@nonialdoseri6103]

Dear Nina, I’m obsessed now with this beautiful art but my eyes need some help. Can you advise me about a good magnifying tool to use?? Thanks again for your patience

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I use Magni-Ciips. These clip onto my glasses and work really well. They come in different strengths. Hope this helps!

[@nonialdoseri6103]

Stitching with a Smile , thanks for reply, I shall check about it.

[@chandrashivnaraine1391]

I sorry, I meant you did perfectly.

[@YolandaFlierman]

hi i just found this and im lokking for this patten kan anyone help me please

[@carolinarkasas26]

Hi Nina. I've begun, all zig-zagged, etc. and now have put my center motif in. Quick question: Approx. how long do you cut your stitching thread. I am used to cutting only abut 18" for my embroidery work. I cut about 23" for this and I think that may be awfully short as I was only able to do 2 petals + part of a 3rd (and that is making my extra ending thread very short for weaving back in). But I don't want to have it start to fray so thought I'd ask. Also- I saw your video on Hardanger books and there was one pattern/book that I really loved. I think you missed my question- (After looking, I am not sure where the question was posted and I can't find it or the pattern now). I would like to get that one but can not find it at Nordic Needle, or anywhere on the internet - but perhaps I am searching incorrectly. Can you tell me where it might be? I have looked and looked and can't find it again (in your videos). I am not sure it actually was on the books one you did since I've gone thru that 3x and can't see it. But it is a number and you mention it being gorgeous, and it was absolutely, I really would like to find it. Can you help at all. It's a pattern rather than a book as I recall. I hope this last rambling part makes sense! LOL

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Carol. No problem with a rambling post - my response will be a bit long too! I cut my pearl cotton anywhere between 18" to around 24", depending on what I'm doing and what thread I'm using. If it's the DMC pearl cotton #5, I will usually cut longer lengths. But if it's Caron Watercolours (for instance) I cut shorter lengths (this tends to fray more). I will also use longer lengths when stitching the buttonhole as it eats up thread quickly. Kloster blocks and satin stitch motifs I won't cut quite as long. Now, after saying all this, I do waste thread, especially when stitching the satin stitch motifs. I won't stitch halfway into a petal in the star motif for instance....I'll just finish the thread and start another. I found your question, it was under the video "Hardanger Embroidery: Different ways it is Charted". The book is published by Zweigart, number 208. I also looked for it in all my usual places but can't find it. I even tried to find it on the Zweigart website, no luck. Sew and So (sewandso.co.uk) in the UK carries these books, maybe you could special order it from them. I've ordered from them and found them very accurate, quick and not too expensive. Hope this helps!

[@carolinarkasas26]

I had also looked on the Zweigart website. The UK place doesn't have that number, so I guess I will have to live without it. :( Done with Hal #3. On to #4. :) Thanks so much for these, I am so enjoying getting back into the Hardanger. Not sure what I'll do with it when I'm done, LOL. I would like to make "lots". Wonder if I could sell any... hmmmm... :D

[@carolinarkasas26]

I am using what I have and adding to it. I have a very yellow ecru--y 22 ct. so will be using a darker brown-y color. I have a skein of #5 so will get another one. How many skeins should I get of #8 if they don't have that color in the balls? I can't find a dye lot # so assuming I don't have to worry about that with the DMC? Thanks much.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

You shouldn't have to worry about dye lot colour with DMC unless you have thread from years ago. You should only need one skein of the #8 (I used most of my #8 for this one) but definitely get 2 (or 3?) of the #5. I'm really curious to see your work with the colours you've chosen, I think it will really turn out nice. I'm so glad you're joining in!

[@carolinarkasas26]

Ah, thank you, I'll get 3. ;)

[@margaretcypser446]

Hello,can I ask what brand of thread are you using? I am trying DMC nb 5 but it looks more twisted and on your video the thread looks softer.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I am using Caron Watercolours. It's a 3 ply cotton thread (you divide the thread into 3 plus when you cut it). It's similar in size to a perle cotton #5. The Caron Watercolours fray more than the DMC #5, and some people don't like that. If you wanted to give it a try, pick up one skein and use it for a satin stitch or hardanger motif for a card (there are lots of free patterns for small motifs - Nordic Needle is a good start). Hope this helps!

[@margaretcypser446]

Stitching with a Smile thank you for that

[@lisabaldwin3406]

Can anybody tell me where i can get this pattern???

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Lisa. You can find the pattern here: www.nordicneedle.net/swag/#.YMNdai295z8 Go a little more than halfway down the page. The pattern is call Ivory Octagonal Doily. There are lots of other freebies on this page too. Happy stitching!

[@طبخهايسل]

👍👍👍👏👏😘

[@marialamotta9009]

Sei brava nei tuoi lavori ma potresti mettere la traduzione in italiano

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Thank you for the compliment. I'm sorry I can't translate this, it would be lovely to be able to.