Project a Month: Gimena Romero stem stitch class

And I'm finished with the Gimena Romero final project! Believe me, there were times I never thought this days would come - it was very slow going for me at 2 months, but the result was very satisfying! As I mentioned previously, this was the Técnica de bordado con paso atrás class by Gimena Romero on Domestika - the class and site are in Spanish, but there are English subtitles.

I cannot recommend this class enough! I thought I knew how to stem stitch (and that I didn't enjoy it) but there is something so informative about plunging into all the variations on the construction of this stitch that Gimena provides. I found myself enjoying this stitch so much more as I practiced it, and came to understand its architecture.

Threads I used

DMC perle cotton size 8: Ecru, 315, 503, 704, 754, 817, 922, 930, 950

I also thought I didn't enjoy stitching with perle cotton threads - I've used them pretty sparingly over the years - but experimenting with size 8 perle cotton threads completely changed my perspective! They offer a marvelous sheen and texture that builds and builds...

When I last left you a month ago, I was about halfway through...

I added a couple more shades to my original palette as I went along...

When I came to the hand, I stitched the outline in backstitch, just as Gimena had prescribed in her directions...

I loved the ghostly effect of the outline, unfilled, and could very well have left it like that...

But I chose to fill the shape with stem stitch, and I think I like both effects. I actually used a lighter peach shade for the hand than I did for the peach roses - 950 - but the colors read almost exactly the same in the finished project.

Thank you for following along in the snail paced progress on this one! Stay tuned for my next project later this week!

Previous posts:
Stem stitch class progress
Stem stitch class first post

Project a Month: Stem Stitch class progress

Well, I am finally making headway with my Gimena Romero stem stitch class! As I mentioned in my previous post, this is a Domestika online class in Spanish (English subtitles are available).

It was great fun filling in the largest colored section in this piece - the greenery, even if it was quite time-consuming.

What drew me to this piece was the lovely texture that carefully layered stem stitch provides, added to the wonderful sheen and texture the size 8 pearl cotton already has...

My next favorite section in this pattern is that large, central rose. I was captivated by Gimena's red rose, so I decided not to stray too far, using DMC 817 for mine.

Instead of outlining with a lighter shade as Gimena did, I outlined with a wine color - I wasn't sure I liked it until I finished the entire rose. It's subtle, but definitely adds something to it, I think.

The central 3 petals of the rose, I used a new technique Gimena demonstrates in the class, a stem stitch that is worked on the surface, with a raised texture - I worked mine too tightly, so you don't see much contrast in mine...

Next I tackled the leaves underneath the large rose... I experimented with a light teal (left) and a very pale blue, which reads as white (right). I added a dark blue outline to add some further contrast and interest... I like how it came out.

One thing I am enjoying about this piece is seeing how the light blue of my fabric "changes" the colors of my threads.

I'm enjoying experimenting and finding color combinations I wouldn't ordinarily use...

Another thing that fascinates me is how different colors look from daytime to night time...

Here it is in dayight:

It is neither easy nor fast to stitch in concentric lines of stem stitch, but so satisfying to look at, I think!

I am running quite behind, although I LOVE this class. I am debating starting another project, to keep to my one project a month schedule... we shall see!

Project a Month: Stem Stitch Class with Gimena Romero

Folks, I apologize for my lateness this month, but I am excited to report that I am finally stitching on this month's Project a Month! This month, I am stitching along with the Domestika class by Gimena Romero called Técnica de bordado con paso atrás, in Spanish.

Paso Atrás are the Spanish words for Stem stitch. I mentioned Gimena's class previously, and how much I enjoyed it, and how it taught me that I was doing the stem stitch "wrong" before.

I was fascinated by Gimena's beautiful, unique embroidery pattern, the vibrant colors she chose, the rich texture of her stitches, her fabric choice of wool, and just everything about this gorgeous class. If you are not a Spanish speaker, Domestika does provide English subtitles on this class, and I highly recommend it!

I purchased this Domestika class on my own, this is not a sponsored post.

Choosing My Materials

Light blue quilting cotton

First, I picked my thread - Gimena uses size 8 perle cotton in her stitching, and it adds such a lovely finish, so I knew I wanted to try that. I ordered a small batch on Ebay, then chose 7 colors that spoke to me.

Next, was fabric - I didn't have that beautiful dove gray wool Gimena used, but regardless, I would have wanted to try something different. The problem was, I liked just about every fabric option I found!

Mustard linen

Heather gray linen

Chestnut brown

Navy / dark gray linen

Teal linen

Pink linen

They all had something going for them and I just could not decide!

Then, there's lighting - under fluorescent light that chestnut brown looked yellower and the mustard looked olive:

But I finally decided! Heather gray linen, was my choice. I liked that it was neutral and looked good under fluorescent and natural lighting.

Transferring the Pattern

I whipped out my trusty Aunt Martha's transfer pencil, it's never failed me yet...

But folks, it failed me for the first time! I have been using this pencil forever, but I guess I've never tried it on linen before. I had a travel iron, but although it was small, it was very hot. I could not get the darn thing to transfer, as you see above. I tried another linen and got an even worse result.

So, light blue quilting cotton it was! As you can see, the image transferred very lightly, but at least I could make it out.

Thank you all for the MANY helpful suggestions of transferring methods you gave me on Instagram!

Stitching the Design

I started my stitching, and have been working at it, bit by bit. I love Gimena's technique of side by side layers of stem stitches - it looks so sleek and beautiful...

Here is my progress so far:

I'm loving this project, and as you can see, I'll have to continue it into next month, to finish it.

Why I took so long to start

Why did this project take so long to get going? I've been stitching so consistently all year! I began taking Tamoxifen, as prescribed to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer, and the side effects were debilitating. I've put the medication on pause while I consult with my doctor - looking back I can see I wasn't myself, I was miserable, and I was totally unproductive. Sorry for this aside, but I wanted to be upfront with why I was so quiet.

Stitch along on Domestika

I'm really looking forward to seeing what I'll do with this design. As always, feel free to stitch along with me, by taking Gimena's class Técnica de bordado con paso atrás on Domestika. More updates on my stitching progress soon!