Anyway, as an ode to my grandma, I wanted to have my main character be good at embroidery. So I included a couple of scenes with her discussing her hobby. I *think* it's accurate, but I would love to get other people's input.
Also, I'll be happy to donate points to whoever answers. <3
(I should note that this takes place in a fantasy world, so I don't really want to have "French knot" be uttered here, since that seems too location-dependent.)
Scene 1: Part of a letter Solea writes where she discusses an embroidery assignment
Spoiler
As for your argument against simplicity, you have changed my mind. In my embroidery class, we have a major project coming up where we need to create a floral scene on canvas using a minimum of three different stitches and two different knots. I had originally intended to make a simple floral scene of daisies using the minimum requirements. However, upon reading your missive against simplicity, I have decided to embrace complexity! Thus, I plan to use at least seven different stitches with three different knots. This might sound like a meager undertaking to you, but I assure you that my plans are exceptionally ambitious. Also, instead of a simple scene of daisies, I will make a garden blooming with flowers.
I hope you’re happy with its complexity!
Enclosed are my plans for my new design, with each stitch labeled and color-coded.
I hope you’re happy with its complexity!
Enclosed are my plans for my new design, with each stitch labeled and color-coded.
Questions:
1) Is the assignment she gets reasonable?
2) Is her proposed alterations as ambitious as she claims (or, alternatively, too ambitious)?
3) Is having a plans where the stitches being labeled and color-coded even plausible?
Scene 2: Cyrus's Response to her Letter:
Spoiler
As for your new embroidery project, it is an exceptionally ambitious undertaking indeed. However, if your skill in embroidery is anything like your skill in Diamean, I am confident of your success.
It is your design, of course, and I do not wish to intrude, especially since I am no expert in the fiber arts, given my bad eye. However, might I offer some suggestions, as one embroidery enthusiast to another? There are some purple clustered flowers you have currently planned out as knots. It might make more sense to have some running knot stitches you layer next to each other instead of making dozens of knots. That way, you don’t need to tie off so many knots during finishing. You can also use the running knot stitch to detail the circular floret in your sunflowers too, since that part is typically bumpy.
I’ve enclosed a rough sketch of the diagram of my favorite running knot stitch, just in case it might help!
It is your design, of course, and I do not wish to intrude, especially since I am no expert in the fiber arts, given my bad eye. However, might I offer some suggestions, as one embroidery enthusiast to another? There are some purple clustered flowers you have currently planned out as knots. It might make more sense to have some running knot stitches you layer next to each other instead of making dozens of knots. That way, you don’t need to tie off so many knots during finishing. You can also use the running knot stitch to detail the circular floret in your sunflowers too, since that part is typically bumpy.
I’ve enclosed a rough sketch of the diagram of my favorite running knot stitch, just in case it might help!
Questions:
1) Are his suggestions... valid and believable?
Scene 3: The Embroidery Metaphor
Spoiler
Solea stepped back and glanced at Cyrus and Archondid, feeling small. “So what do you want me to do?”
Cyrus shrugged. “I don’t think there’s an easy answer. From the little I understand about your family, it seems like a very odd situation in every respect. Still, if you would like my suggestion? I suggest you talk to her.”
Solea grimaced. “How am I supposed to talk with her? She’s so trapped in her own little world, she takes everything I say out of context and misconstrues it!”
Cyrus gestured to Solea’s newest letter to him, which still lay on his desk. “You’re a wonderful writer. At least, I always enjoy reading your letters. Why don’t you write her something?”
Solea gritted her teeth. “She’ll want me to apologize to her.”
“So?” When Solea scowled, Cyrus shrugged. “When you are embroidering, what do you do when the thread breaks?”
Solea crossed her arms. “You tie off the thread so that the tension stays tight, otherwise the whole thing will unravel.”
Cyrus nodded, smiling. “Very good! Now, what should you do when a person breaks?”
Solea’s stomach sank.
Cyrus leaned forward, his blue eyes intense. “I told you before, the prophecy is too much for anyone to handle alone. Already, Alainna is breaking under its weight. But you are her handmaid! You can help. So, will you reach out to her and extend her mercy, even when she doesn’t deserve it, and trust that mercy will beget mercy? Or will you watch as everything unravels?”
Cyrus shrugged. “I don’t think there’s an easy answer. From the little I understand about your family, it seems like a very odd situation in every respect. Still, if you would like my suggestion? I suggest you talk to her.”
Solea grimaced. “How am I supposed to talk with her? She’s so trapped in her own little world, she takes everything I say out of context and misconstrues it!”
Cyrus gestured to Solea’s newest letter to him, which still lay on his desk. “You’re a wonderful writer. At least, I always enjoy reading your letters. Why don’t you write her something?”
Solea gritted her teeth. “She’ll want me to apologize to her.”
“So?” When Solea scowled, Cyrus shrugged. “When you are embroidering, what do you do when the thread breaks?”
Solea crossed her arms. “You tie off the thread so that the tension stays tight, otherwise the whole thing will unravel.”
Cyrus nodded, smiling. “Very good! Now, what should you do when a person breaks?”
Solea’s stomach sank.
Cyrus leaned forward, his blue eyes intense. “I told you before, the prophecy is too much for anyone to handle alone. Already, Alainna is breaking under its weight. But you are her handmaid! You can help. So, will you reach out to her and extend her mercy, even when she doesn’t deserve it, and trust that mercy will beget mercy? Or will you watch as everything unravels?”
Questions:
1) Does the embroidery metaphor land?
2) Does the metaphor seem accurate enough to be impactful?
Scene 4: The Mishap
Spoiler
Solea blushed. “You know there’s nothing inappropriate in our exchange! He just tells me about his adventures with Archondid in the city, while I tell him about our embroidery project.” As if to demonstrate, she picked up her embroidery hoop and showed Alainna her garden.
“Oh, stop bragging,” Alainna muttered, slouching down. “You don’t need to rub it in. You know I had to redo mine after punching a hole in it with my thimble.”
Solea suddenly laughed. “You did what?”
“It’s a long story!” Alainna snapped, rubbing her fingers. “The needle caught and I tried to stab it through while protecting my finger. How was I supposed to know the canvas was stretched too tightly?”
Solea laughed again and shook her head.
“Oh, stop bragging,” Alainna muttered, slouching down. “You don’t need to rub it in. You know I had to redo mine after punching a hole in it with my thimble.”
Solea suddenly laughed. “You did what?”
“It’s a long story!” Alainna snapped, rubbing her fingers. “The needle caught and I tried to stab it through while protecting my finger. How was I supposed to know the canvas was stretched too tightly?”
Solea laughed again and shook her head.
1) Is this a somewhat believable (albeit ridiculous) mistake that an impatient beginner with a nasty temper might make?
Anyway, that's all! Thanks for letting me pick your brains.
