FlossTube #72: Back Stitch Lacing: Bring it On (6/5/2025)

Welcome to Episode 72 of the Curious Crafters FlossTube. We're two sisters who love handcrafting -- cross stitch, knitting, sewing, and quilting -- and figuring things out! 

In this episode Anna and I show off some FFOs and a FO, share our WIPs, discuss our Plans, & Shared Supplies, Get Curious about a The Sampler Color Exploration, and end with our Thumbs Up. Along the way there is a toast and some chit-chat. Ready? Let's Go! --Carolyn

Instagram: @we.are.curiouscrafters 

Have a question about anything we discussed? Please leave us a comment or DM us on Instagram

Hash Tags:
#KathyBarrickFanClub
#TheSamplerColorExploration

Toasting: Baby Chicks

FFO
The Bee’s Got Knees by Hands On Design (Carolyn)
Festive Little Crab by Heartstring Samplery (Carolyn)
From the Archives: Needlepoint (Carolyn)

Finishes
Blackwater Blooms by Needlemade Designs (Anna). 

WIPs
From Velvet to Linen by Kathy Barrick (Anna)
Bun Bun by The Artsy Housewife (Carolyn)
Folk Bird Needlebook by Notforgotten Farm (Anna)

The Sampler Color Exploration

Quick Recap of Assignment #1 Pick Your Sampler
The Assignment:
1. Pick a sampler of your choice
2. Make a black and white copy of the cover photo, and then put it away.
3. Post on Instagram (optional) – #TheSamplerColorExploration and @we.are.curiouscrafters

Carolyn picked Black Swan Pinkeep by The Scarlett House
Anna picked Golden Finch by La-D-Da (free pattern)

Full details in Episode #71: We’re Curious Segment & Instagram Stories Highlight “Explore Color”

New: Assignment #2 Create Your Prototype Palette
The Assignment:
1. Create your starting palette – we’re calling it your “prototype palette”
2. Post on Instagram (optional) – #TheSamplerColorExploration and @we.are.curiouscrafters

Ideas for creating your prototype palette:
• Will you start with your floss (Carolyn) or your linen (Anna)?
• Start with a few colors you love and build from there (Carolyn)
• Grab lots of colors in a range of values, and then winnow away (Anna)
• Reuse a palette from another piece your stitched 
• Pull colors from a photo – Anna used photos of finches
• Get inspired from color palettes from other sources / mediums, such as the Pantone Color Palettes (https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-palettes)

Ideas for evaluating your prototype palette:
• Enough change in values?
• Use the “Do You Miss It” test
• Did you include neutrals to allow the eye to rest?
• Did you include a pop of color and/or something unexpected?

Advice:
•  Don’t be afraid of color! Like anything it takes practice and mistakes to learn its secrets. Learning what doesn’t work is as important as learning what does

• Your prototype palette does not have to be perfect! It’s really all about a starting point

• Be open to changing – large or small – your palette once you get stitching

• Have fun and share your palettes on Instagram!
#TheSamplerColorExploration
@we.are.curiouscrafters


0:00 Welcome to Episode 72
7:38 Toast
8:25 FFOs
22:30 Finishes
28:22 WIPs
41:45 Plans
45:00 Shared Supplies
47:13 We're Curious
1:03:05 Thumbs Up

Until next time, Happy Crafting & Stay Curious!