I set a goal for myself to finish my second wonder bookmark this weekend.
Mission Accomplished.
It looks absolutely amazing. I am very happy with the end result. The colours really pop on the black fabric just as I hoped they would. I now have a bookmark for me, made by me that reflects me and one of my favourite stories.
Wonder Bookmark – Round 2
I ended up making a couple more modifications to the colours I used, specifically for the pawn. I didn’t think it really worked having the pawn the same colour as the rabbit. I think I made the right decision with the last-minute colour change.
Another major change to this bookmark compared to the first one I stitched is I did ALL of the french knots. French knots have been the bane of my stitching existence. I have struggled with them since I was a beginner stitcher. I watched tutorial after tutorial and had instructional photos from all over and yet I still couldn’t seem to get them right, no matter how hard I tried.
The French Knot (Source: http://handembroidery.ning.com/)
On the first wonder bookmark I only did the french knots that were 100% required – specifically on the clock face and the eyes on the flowers. It has been well over a year since I have even attempted a french knot so I thought it would give it a try this time around.
The funniest part of all this to me is that over that year of avoiding french knots at all costs, I actually completely forgot how to make one. So there I was googling tutorials just like when I had first learned them and failed at them. I felt like I was getting off to a GREAT start.
The wonder bookmark pattern calls for a total of twenty-four french knots. The first time I stitched it I managed a grand total of seven of them, and poorly at that. This second bookmark boasts ALL TWENTY-FOUR, and as far as I can tell only three or four of them are really terrible. The good ones far outnumber the bad ones. I was very proud of my french knots, and this now has me wishing I had tried a little harder and tried to finish all of them on the first bookmark. I think they really complete the bookmark. I guess all it really takes is enough practice to finally get them right! Now I just need to not forget how… I think after finishing this bookmark today though I will no longer be avoiding patterns that call for french knots. Who knew today would be a day for such an accomplishment! I just may actually look for a pattern with french knots to stitch up soon!
