OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: by Mirabilia, modifications by me
• Materials: “Seaglass” 32 ct belfast linen, from Hand Dyed by Stephanie, DMC, Caron Waterlililes, Kreinik, Mill Hill
• Size: 8″ x 16″
• Time to stitch: 7 months in rotation or 22 stitching days

My 4th mermaid finish, I’m well on my way to having a mermaid gallery wall in my master bath!

The fabric is a lovely mottled deep sea green, beautifully mottled, wonderfully soft.  I think Siren pops on it.  This was my first piece from Hand Dyed by Steph and I couldn’t be happier with it.  I’m planning to attend a stitchy retreat in Harrisburg, PA this October and she is scheduled to be a vendor.  I’m so excited by the prospect of shopping her fabrics in person. 

The pattern is fine, no errata.  The tail region (bottom half) stitched up quickly with long bands of colors.  And these colors- rich blues and greens, are some of my faves.  There are two silk waterlilies used; blueberry (dark blue/purple) might just be the prettiest waterlily IMO.  I did make some modifications to her hair.  First, I made her a redhead instead of a brunette- why do all the Mira mermaids have similar dark brown hair?  I subbed DMC 3777, 919, 921, 3853 (dark to light).  Also, I removed some of the flower petals, etc, in the lower part of her hair, stitching more hair instead.  Finally, I made some subs in the hair ornamentation: waterlily blue lavender -> waterlily wasabi, MH 168 -> MH 2031, MH 12149 -> MH 12147.

I’m super chuffed with this finish; she might be my favorite mermaid so far.  The substitutions involved some trial and error, but it was worth it.  My favorite details are all the bling- especially the chandelier, and her fiery red hair. 

I do plan to stitch more mermaids- I have pattern and fabric for both Mermaid of the Pearls and Aphrodite.  And I have my eye on a Passione Ricamo pattern- Under the Moonlight.  But I’m trying to reduce my WIP count so it may not be for a while.