In a recent e-mail response to the comment of one of my frequent readers, I noted that it's a bit of a mystery to me that I am stitching Midnight Moogie by Vivienne Powers. It is not at all my usual sort of piece. Oh sure, I stitch an occasional wildly colorful and outrageous small piece ... the Halloween ornaments that Monsterbubbles used to contribute to the annual Halloween issue of JCS spring to mind. But when I choose to stitch a really large piece it is usually a Teresa Wentzler design, a Quaker piece or a large sampler. I have a clearly defined design style or comfort zone. So that got me to thinking about the choices we make as stitchers. And I have a few questions for my readers:
1. Are you conscious of having a clearly defined comfort zone when choosing the pieces you will stitch?
2. If yes, briefly describe your comfort zone.
3. Not counting duty stitches requested by loved ones, how often do you go beyond your comfort zone or usual style when choosing a piece to stitch: every now and then, very rarely, never?
4. In choosing pieces that are dramatically different from your usual style: are they usually small, medium or large pieces?
5. What design elements prompt you to venture beyond the comfortable: use of color, use of line/shape, topic or theme, overall aesthetic of the piece, emotional subtext of the piece?
6. Name one piece you have stitched that called you out of your zone and surprised you by the pleasure you took in working it.
I hope you enjoy answering these questions in the comment section. Once people have responded, I'll summarize the results in another post for those who are as curious as myself.
I hope you enjoy answering these questions in the comment section. Once people have responded, I'll summarize the results in another post for those who are as curious as myself.
My answers:
1 & 2. Yes: I generally stitch what I consider elegant fantasy [Wentzler, Miribilia, some of the Dragon Dreams], traditional, reproduction, band and Quaker samplers, country primitive [Prairie Schooler and the like] and the occasional whimsical seasonal piece.
3. Every now and then ... maybe once every 20 or so projects.
4. Usually, my "off-beat" excursions in stitching are rather small.
5. Generally, I am attracted beyond my comfort zone by vivid color or by the humour of a piece, be it a visual pun [like Sue Hillis' Pair Tree or Monsterbubbles' Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun] or just something appeallingly funny that references my interests and hobbies [like my various dragons in teacups].
6. Obviously, the current surprise is Midnight Moogies.
