Nervous

[Jen]

For several months now I've been designing and stitching a hardanger pattern for one of my suppliers to take with them to trade shows, etc.

They're due to get it tomorrow and I'm nervous. Nervous that they won't like it, nervous that it won't go over well for the places they'll be taking it to this year (Paris and Milan, with other places on the list, I'm sure). This is the most prominent project I've ever done and I can't shake the butterflies.

Even if my suppliers like it, there's no telling if the folks at the trade shows will like it. Also, since I won't be in Paris or Milan, I won't be able to see it displayed or see peoples' reactions. I may be stuck with these butterflies forever.

I get frustrated sometimes because I know no one locally who does this type of work...so I can't tell if I'm any good at what I do or not by comparison. Obviously I should have stuck with cross stitch ;)

I always feel like perhaps I overestimated my skill level and people will be disappointed. I suppose that's the risk when you design or branch out into embroidery that allows for creativity. The butterflies can go though. Lack of confidence is unbecoming.

[Ruth Lane]

Do you have photos? I'd love to see them. I'm sure they're great and people will love them. Think positively!

[Jen]

I do. I pulled them from flickr recently and they should be on the main page. The fabric is blue and the threads are heavily multicolored (chosen by the supplier).

[Tansy]

As far as I can tell from your photos, your stitches are perfect. Even the back of the piece is neat and tidy. It's a lovely design, too.

[Jen]

Eh, they're not perfect. I do have 2 mistakes...but I often intentionally put a mistake or two in my work as a 'where's waldo' type of amusement. It's kind of a signature move that causes people to look closely at my stitches to see if they can find it, giving them a better understanding of the work that went into it.

I go back and forth on whether I like the design. It's a larger version of another pattern I designed with parts moved around and added. The effect (diamond standing in the middle of a sea of cutwork) is the part I like the most...but I worry that most people won't. But, they wanted a 'plaid' look and they got it, so I can't complain there :)

[Karen W. Gronau]

I'm quite late to this discussion, but I wanted you to know that I like all of your work, Jen. I'm sure that many were excited and inspired when they saw your design.

BTW, Native Americans always purposely put a mistake in any of their work to remind us that we aren't perfect. (I don't have to put one in puposely as I am sure to have a few come naturally on any project that I do!)

[Judy B]

Jen,
It is a bit like waiting for a baby to arrive!
Your work standard is high, you have broken some of the 'rules' by using strong colours so it will stand out. I like it, and hope it is well received by the general public.
In the meantime, breath deeply!
Judy B

[Carol-Anne]

I think that it is perfectly natural for you to feel nervous, I know that I would in the same situation. I've taken a look at your pics and I think you are very good at what you do.

If I am honest, the colour scheme is not my cup of tea, but that doesn't prevent me admirring the design or stitching. Besides you used the fabrics and threads supplied by the client so you have no reason to be nervous on that score. If I saw this at a show and thought I might stitch it, I would have no difficulty imagining it the softer colours that appeal to me.

Do you stitch in a hoop or in hand? If you stitch in hand you may find a hoop helps with the very small amount of puckering you have. This is not a critism, I just wanted to give you some feed back because you were frustrated by not knowing anyone locally. Your skill level IS very good and you can justifiably have confidence in your work. I think your suppliers will be very happy with what you have produced for them.

CA

[Jen]

I'm not a fan of the color scheme either, but several of my friends have requested it. I'm not sure what to think about that ;)

I do stitch in hand. Normally it's not a problem, but some of these stitches only go over 2 threads so it puckers a bit. I should have used a frame. I dislike hoops because they warp the fabric. Thanks for calling my attention to it :)

I'm debating putting the chart together as a pattern so people can work it if they like (I did the last one), but I don't know how to instruct people on one of the window stitches, as there are almost no instructions on that stitch. I found it in an old DMC hardanger book online.

[Carol-Anne]

Yes, I agree that hoops can leave marks on the fabric. I tend to use the term 'hoop' when I am really meaning a frame of some kind! Removing the hoop after each stitching session reduces the marking but you can still get some distortion.

I would say do the chart if you feel inclinded to, you could provide the link the online book for the stitch or write your own instructions based on your experience of working your design.

Well done for working with a colour scheme that would not have been your choice.

[Liz in Kansas]

I don't think you need to worry about these. It seems to me you have fulfilled your customer's specifications. Like Carol-Anne I'm not sure I like the colors, but I think it is just that we are so tuned to seeing hardanger in pastels. The designs are wonderful and I can see stitching some of these myself. Brava, Jen!

[Ruth Lane]

I agree with everyone else who commented, your pieces are very well executed. I think since they picked the colors, they will be quite pleased with what you have done. I think the pattern is great and I even like the colors as I'm not a pastel girl.

[Lorelei Terry Halley]

Jen
I only discovered this discussion today, and I want to say don't worry about the reactions of others. Your work is beautiful in an explosive kind of way -- the colors you choose in all your work are unusual, intense and highly original. There are 6 billion people on the planet and hardly any 2 can agree on anything, including personal taste in art. In my personal experience my best work has not be appreciated by the people I know personally who know the most about what I am doing. I have to go very far afield to find people who appreciate my bobbin lace designs as I do. But I just can't let the silent reactions of my lace friends and acquaintances change or affect what I do. I have entered only one bobbin lace design competition and I won it. But since then I have had no interest at all in participating in another one. The reason is that I heard things said and done which I found very offensive. The only other design in the competition that impressed me cam in last place. The designs were judged on all the wrong criteria. The people who judged expressed their personal opinions, which are no more valid than anyone else's.

What I am trying to say is that there will be people who love your work and some who object. I doesn't matter. Keep doing what you love to do. I love your wildly colored pieces, even though I usually work in white or ecru. I think you've found a group of people here who at least will not discourage you from trying new and bright colors. And some of us will continue to encourage you.

Don't stop. Let the butterflies sleep.