Once you've made a couple biscornu, you realize that the process can be repeated with any sort of counted canvas type stitching, as long as the top and bottom design are back-stitch bordered with exactly the same number of stitches. The border must be a square, and must have an even number of stitches, divided easily.
I found this seagull pattern in the September issue of Cross Stitcher Magazine. I made up the blackwork pattern on some graph paper and used the same thread color combination on top and bottom, so they 'match' even though they don't 'match.' Once both panels were completely stitched and bordered, I was ready for the last few steps.
To make the wonky, zig-zaggy shape, you place the corner of the top panel, centered on one side of the bottom panel. A pin or two keeps things in place.
Notice that both panels are right sides up, unlike in quilting where something like this would be placed right sides together. Then I whip-stitched each and every backstitch loop, grabbing thread only, not canvas with each pass.
Turning the corner can be a little tricky, but following a one-stitch-at-a-time process, the corner is tackled. The pin placed strategically where the center and corner meet helped to keep me on track.
When I reach the last side, I stop.
Since I use wool batting for my quilts, I have lots of leftover bits that make perfect biscornu/pin cushion stuffing.
I like them stuffed really generously, then I'm ready to finish the stitching along the last edge to close it all up.
Once stitched, a small mini-button adds the final touch to a tufted, squishy, irresistible addition to my collection!
And there you have it!
Cross stitch top . . .
. . . and blackwork bottom.
Of course, this one is completely reversible.
The finishing whip-stitch process takes me a good couple of hours paired with audio book or TV time, and it's pretty detailed work.
What's next?
I have about a million things I can pull out of my to-get-done pile to work on next, but for some silly reason, this stack of 2-1/2" squares from a several-years-old Maywood Studios collection by Marti Michell was calling to me. Add a few stash fabrics and a requisite bird print and we'll see where this goes.
You know how it is, when the shiny new object (actually this little pack has been around for quite a while) calls, you have to answer!
I try to do at least an hour or two of machine sewing in the morning before transitioning to the computer where the daily tasks form a list about a mile long. Lately, small, easy projects and quick finishes are drawing me in, so I'm going with it. Evenings are for handwork projects like feeding the biscornu addiction.
Happy Stitching!
Joan
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