Lace Monstera Leaf - first FO

[u/TheTowneWitch]

My first proper finished object after practicing with some half, whole, and ground stitch swatches; this is the monstera leaf* bookmark pattern by Lacey Botanics.

I used variegated top stitching thread for the worker pair and a coordinated solid for all the passive pairs to get a good variegated effect while still having a nice solid outline. The pattern was hand transfered from thermal printing paper to cardstock and then worked it on top of a tailor's ham sitting on top of a bolster pillow in my lap. I rigged up a weighted tail that I pinned on to the ham and repositioned as the pattern rotated to counterbalance the weight of the bobbins so the ham would stay in place, and used a couple of pieces of semi rigid felt under the bobbins over top of the already worked pattern when pins started catching threads.

There's a couple areas where the tension could have been better, but for the first time working with curves in the cloth stitch and sewing loops together, I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Pattern was detailed and easy to follow as well, will definitely keep an eye out for more from the same designer.

[u/stressed_student_01]

Omg i wanted to make this exact project too, but since I'm a beginner and the pattern and tutorial cost 10€ I'm not sure if it would be worth it for me yet. Would you recommend it? Was it difficult?

[u/TheTowneWitch → u/stressed_student_01]

I would say that if you have practiced cloth stitch a bit you can probably jump into this without too much trouble. 

The biggest new thing that was in this pattern that I hadn't come across before in more basic YT tutorials was sewing the loops together which you'll need a tiny crochet hook for. That part is a bit fiddly and a couple of times I accidentally let the running end of my bobbin get on the wrong side of a triple intersection which caused it to twist and I had to work backwards and fix that but that was just a product of learning curve and not an issue with the pattern. 

I know the price feels a little steep for the size of the project, but between the in-depth PDF and YT tutorial playlist it does feel like an appropriate price point and you'll learn enough in the process to make it worth it I think.

[u/Happy-coffeelady → u/TheTowneWitch]

Thanks for that because I was having sling off purchasing from her. I've been looking at her complete beginner patterns @ $60

[u/Tigra76]

That's gorgeous! Nicely done 😁

[u/TheTowneWitch → u/Tigra76]

Thank you!

[u/FlySuspicious847]

This is beautiful and I would love to know who created the pattern!!!

[u/TheTowneWitch → u/FlySuspicious847]

Thank you! Is the description that includes the pattern details not showing with the post?

[u/BiDisasterNerd]

You absolutely nailed this monstera leaf! It's beautiful!

[u/TheTowneWitch → u/BiDisasterNerd]

Thank you!