The red channels have been completed & although mentioning that there appeared to be ‘signs of life’ a few weeks ago (at the start of stitching the red channels), by the time all bandages had been inserted across the strips, it wasn't really visible again & continued with the stitching planned. BUT … QUESTION … what to do next especially feeling on the edge of another ‘mental block’? … Have a ‘play around’ with the new Janome machine seemed like a good idea so began this.
The new machine was easy to use - especially the push-button start that enabled no foot pedal control being necessary. It meant that this machine could be positioned further along the worktop without the need of a large kneehole - it could also be used on the central island unit if necessary. Placing it now alongside the 1630, various assorted stitching samples on both machines were carried out - on the Janome (above sample) pursuing some experiments with computerised lettering for a possible design direction.
As the calico & silk section was now pieced together, it was becoming apparent that the two opposing sets of words should also interweave or progress - just like the cycle of Anger. Looking at the words side by side (& in reality), those positive ones usually try to ’repair’ the negative ones with an attempt to ‘patch things up’ or ‘cover things over’ & within the confines of this panel, somehow ‘darning the (w)hole’ seemed to be a good solution! As I referenced each machine’s manual, ‘automatic darning’ on the 1630 stood out from other instructions & other questions were resolved!
Realising that the next steps would entail an automatic forwards & backwards movement of the fabric, I checked the panel’s reverse, to see the interfacing backing was beginning to crack & show signs of breaking up - likely because of overuse or age as the fabric was twisted & turned during stitching. The best solution would be for the entire panel to be reinforced & using a fine polyester net curtain offcut from another 'ragbag' (this word slang terminology for a specific type of person). This added layer was tacked in place & would now prevent any loose bits of interfacing dropping into the machine while stitching as well as holding all the panel layers together.
With the 1630, darning involves using the automatic buttonhole foot so got it out, attached it to the machine & with same multicolour thread used previously, began to darn across the calico & red silk panels. It wasn’t long before noticing, once again the panel was ‘having a life of its own’ & where several darning sections had been worked, the fabric was definitely ‘crinkling up’ around the bandage areas. On checking the back of the work, the fine curtain net was almost being “pulled” between darnings so decided to leave it & see what happened by the end of this stitching.
