OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: by MCG Textiles, Cyberstitchers DMC conversion, also some conversion by moi
• Materials: 28 count natural monoco by Charles Craft, DMC, Kreinik BF 100
• Size: 12″ x 14″
• Time to stitch: 66 days since starting April 2017

I’m pleased to present my oldest WIP, now finished, Winnie the Pooh II adapted from the art of Thomas Kinkade, Disney Dreams Collection.

I was thrilled when MCG Textiles starting adapting the Disney Dreams collection.  Though kits aren’t my preference, I picked up several because I loved the art so much.  Unfortunately Winnie the Pooh got off to a rough start.  First, I stitched about 500 stitches and decided the kit floss colors were off… too pale in most cases and the kit floss was rather thin, so coverage was poor.  I found a DMC-Candamar conversion and started again, worked from the top left corner to midline, and found the entire pattern would not fit on the fabric…. because the evenweave fabric was not actually an even weave.  So, I restarted yet again (on new fabric).  The third time was the charm.  

So, as for the pattern, it’s lovely, and the only part of the kit I used.  The adaptation is very well done, creating a beautifully detailed piece without a ridiculously huge stitch count.  There is a lot of backstitch, in several different colors, including at least 3 shades of brown.  There are also hundreds of french knots, in several colors, for the flowers on the bushes, and some other small details. The pattern has numerous “petit point” sections, a smart way to create those tiny details. My one complaint with the pattern is that none of the petit point sections call for any backstitch.  Some of the sections, like the bees and Owl, were ok without backstitch  But Tigger and Piglet, in the background, as well as Christopher Robin’s head, little Roo, and the toys (trumpet, drum, overturned stool, and train) by the door, all needed backstitch, so I added it.  Especially for the toys and Tigger/Piglet, I looked at the original artwork to figure out what I was supposed to be outlining.   Also, I believe there is an error in the floss for Tigger.  His main color is “red brown”…. Tigger is unambiguously orange.  So I frogged and restitched.  

The  materials were fine, nothing fancy.  I used a DMC conversion and picked some of my own conversion colors when duplicates appeared; surprisingly that happened several times.  Many, many colors are used, ~76.  A few colors are stitched with blending filament and I used a Kreinik blending filament for that.  The 28 count monoco I picked up for minor $ at the craft store, it was adequate, but probably not ideal for this.  Monoco is a dense fabric and with the full coverage, all the confetti, and especially the petit point sections, things got rather tight.  Well, it’s more equipment rather than material, but the Ott light/mag I received for Christmas 2017 really helped with the petit point sections.  

My favorite details are the characters, of course.  I love how Christopher Robin is standing there in his summer clothes, helping Pooh float up with the balloon to where the honey is.  Pooh turned out absolutely adorable, with his dear little face…. he’s done in a mix of regular cross stitch and petit point with lots of backstitch too.  Tigger pushing Piglet on a wheelbarrow is in the background, but after adding the backstitch, the detail is much clearer.  Rabbit has his characteristic industriousness, as he purposefully totes his backpack, and pessimist Eyeore is bringing up the rear.  Little Roo is so cute, hanging out in Kanga’s pouch. Even the Gopher has some personality after backstitch, before he was just a gray blob.  

I’m totally chuffed with this finish, and look forward to stitching more of the Disney Dreams patterns, but next time I’ll know to swap floss and fabric right off the bat. I’ll also address any conversion issues at the beginning and make sure there are no duplicates.