Quilt Pattern – a counted needlework design by Loretta Spears
Almost all of my stitching time for the past couple of weeks has been spent with Quilt Pattern. The piece was a class project from 1986 (ish) that was designed and taught by Loretta Spears at her shop. As far as I know, it was never published. Instruction sheets were never supplied — all of the instruction is in my hand on paper, written as directed by Loretta. I sort of doubt she ever finished her piece.
The design is line drawn on 18 count tan canvas and uses 8 different colors of floss from DMC – 518, 519, 951, 918, 919, 920, 921 and 922. The finished size will be 9 3/8 inches by 13 1/8 inches.
The border in progress is diagonal mosic using all eight colors. Turning the corners was a little challenging. With my first attempt I tried stitching the pattern by starting the pattern over in the corner and I wish I had taken a photo because it looked awful. I ripped it out re-stitched using a twist but couldn’t figure out a how to change color and direction. I ended up using graph paper and crayons to try a couple of ideas and this is what I hope will be the final design.
needlearts ... and beyond 