Finished stitching the tiny Baluchi prayer rug. Because I worked without a hoop, it was way skewed.
Beginning blocking the tiny Baluchi prayer rug
I gently washed it with mild soap in warmish water, blotted out excess moisture on a microfiber towel, then pinned it to a piece of foamcore covered in cotton batting and old soft cotton sheeting, gently stretching and re-pinning it into square. Then waited impatiently for it to dry.
I trimmed the excess silk gauze to 3/8 inch and folded to the back, mitering the corners.
Binding the edges, with scary dinosaur fingers
Using a doubled length of blue Gütermann silk (the outermost color in the border), I stitched through both layers, from back to front, with a few extra stitches in the corners to square them out. I cut a piece of Pellon featherweight fusible interfacing a bit smaller than the rug, and ironed it on the back. This both protects the gauze and stitching, and ensures that the rug lays flat. (And hides a less-than-elegant backside if you’re a novice needlepointilist like me :)
Inviting you into the Sea House Pavilion, in a magic carpet way
Not sure where it might ultimately reside, but I really enjoyed making it. As I mentioned in the first post, it’s stitched on 49-count silk gauze with six colors of Gütermann silk, with a stitch count of 81 x 126, adapted from a design by Meik and Ian McNaughton. Finished size is 1.5 x 2.5 inches (38 x 64 mm).
Now I can get back to the Animals rug!
nancyland.com 
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I just saw your winning project on Ernie’s e mail. Wow! I know you’re proud of this little pavilion —- it’s gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann. I am proud, and so honored to have won. I can’t wait to see the rest of the entries!
Great job on the rug and congrats on being the grand prize winner in the HBS Creating Contest!!!!
Thanks, Cyd! It is a big surprise and huge honor. Your work is certainly one of my inspirations.
That’s come out really well! Love the colours!
Thank you, Janet! I am new to miniature needlepoint, and you may be sure I studied your work and many generous tutorials. And your “I needlepoint so I don’t kill people” is oh-so-true!