Week 19 Half Chevron Stitch
This was an easy one and I will file it along with Chevron Stitch. I haven't used this stitch before but it reminded me of shelves on a wall. I thought about displaying books and things on it and then I thought, one of those multiple level diving boards. Although I have never seen one like this. I don't think it would pass Workplace Health and Safety regulations!
Week 18 Crossed Buttonhole stitch
I need to stretch this piece over some cardboard and I can't get into my editing program because I have downloaded a new operating system and I can't find my way around it, but I will, in time.
I had already done this stitch on my buttonhole sampler but this gave me the time to play with it. So a very original thought,(not), "use a cross".
Week 17 Wheat - ear stitch
I thought that I would try another format for this stitch. I neatened the edges of my sample pieces with a similar stitch on my sewing machine and then frayed back to this.
I had some fun with the bunnies by adding an extra loop to the bottom of the stitch and then I reversed the stitch for the flowers. I think the three rows of stitching would make a good border and it could probably be improved by making the middle row go in the opposite direction. When I put the stitch side by side it reminded me of a row of people so I added a few french knots to achieve this effect. Because this is such a regular stitch I punched holes down the side of my card and laced the stitches. This would be a good stitch for a beginner especially taught by lacing it on card first.
Because of the size of the sample I decided that to withdraw 8 threads on all sides wouldn't leave a lot of space for stitching. So I have only done this at the top and the bottom and withdrawn 2 threads along the sides. This will be one of the last hems where I will weave in the withdrawn threads. Once you withdraw this number of threads it is easier to buttonhole over the edges. ( The hem preparation and stitching is demonstrated in Hem 5 .)
But this left me with the dilema of what to do with the hole left at the sides. I decided to make another 3 thread bundle in each hole by using the embroidery thread. This isn't hard to do as you can see in the following images.
I start by anchoring my thread in the hem or you could start in the first stitch of the longer side. Starting in the hem will give you 4 threads, in the side 3 threads.
I make sure I do a half hitch to anchor the thread and give the appearance that these threads were part of the fabric.
A half hitch is stitched by passing the needle under the fake threads and over the cotton and pulling the thread tight. In this case I hadn't finished the hem stitching on this side so I just continued on. In the example above after inserting the threads I took my thread out through the side hem and finished off.
I then decided to gather the bundles into groups of 2. I think that groups of 3 would have looked just as good. I did this by joining each group with a chain stitch. The only thing to watch is that you keep a good tension on the floating thread and that you watch which side of the thread you place your needle.
This is another very easy hem finish.
Week 15
Stem Stitch
I have always loved stem stitch. It was one of those stitches that I learnt as a child out of my 100 embroidery stitch booklet. It sat so beautifully and was great for stems. So I have continued to use over the years, so many times that I just don't think about it any more, just use it.
Then came this weeks sampler and I got out my reference books and discovered all these variations. I wondered how it was used in those large pieces as filling stitch? Now I know it is called long stem stitch and it is really easy to stitch. The trick is that you go back to the beginning of the completed row to stitch the next row.
Alternating stem and outline stitch gives a great border, I'm using that on some place mats that I will give as a present at Xmas time. It is quick to stitch and looks very effective. Raised stem has lots of uses and portuguese is so textural.
The one I wasn't sure about was the French filling stitch. I did the sample line and wasn't impressed but when I used it in the centre leaf I changed my opinion. So overall I liked this weeks exercise and I learnt lots.
(click on the image for a close up.)
Week 14 Satin Stitch
There are some parts of satin stitch that I do not like. Before this sampler it was nearly 'all parts' but I have revised that back to directional stitching within shapes, especially monograms.
I have to admit the fabric I selected is not the best for this stitch. The thread has been treated with something and you can't put your needle through it to get a good coverage. Also the thread is quite thick so that you can't get a smooth line but steps. And on top of this it is no good for pulled thread work. But it is good for counted work and when you get the weight of thread right it gives good results.
I have put off using this stitch for years because of bad results but I'm doing a workshop in a couple of weeks where satin stitch is use a lot. I chose to do this workshop because I don't like the stitch and this would force me to try again. After this weeks sampler I can see I still have a long way to go.
My TAST hems for March were all based on a simple drawn thread method. Nothing fancy here but they still require you to spend the time on preparation. Firstly tacking out the hems and then withdrawing the threads.
Then the removal of one thread followed by the weaving in of the second thread so that there are no holes in the hem.
I find that if you remove one thread and then weave in the next the fabric sites better.
This is even more important when you want to remove more than two thread. Make sure that you begin in the middle of the row to remove the thread and then withdraw each end.
The thread is started by hiding the back stitch under the turned over fabric and then stitched from left to right gathering three threads at a time. Two threads doesn't really show the stitch to the best advantage, expect when you are using a corse fabric, and four threads is just a bit much unless you are going to split the bundles later.
When I come to a corner I take 2 small hemming stitches to hold the hem firm.
If I want to have a more linear finish I take my thread down to the bottom edge through a stitch and then stitch the bottom of the gathered thread into the main body of the fabric. Making sure that I pick up the same number of threads all the way around, I find that 2 threads works well.
If I want a zig zag appearance I withdraw 4 threads and then make each bundle an even number so that they are balanced when split. I take my thread down the length of the withdrawn threads and catch it into the first stitch on the fabric side picking up 2 threads.
Two threads from each bundle are joined in the same way. That is working left to right and picking up two thread of the fabric.
This is an easy yet attractive hem finish.
So these are the three hems I have used and they are relatively quick and easy to stitch. I have to admit these are the hems I use the most on my work.
Week 12
Barred and Alternating Barred Chain Stitch
This stitch gave me one of those Ah Ha moments. I had seen something similar before in this piece from the 'Threads' exhibition here is Brisbane. I had stood there with other stitchers trying to work out what stitch the quilter had used.
I even tried to work it out myself on a bit of scrap fabric. On the quilt they had used it to do the reverse applique, the applique and the lettering.
This is a very similar stitch. Problem solved. Part of the problem was that this stitch has other names. But it is a chain stitch variation. As I have already done my chain stitch sample this sample had to be a bit different. I thought that this problem would arise at some point, that the stitch for the week would be a variation of a stitch we had already done. So the sample size for these occurrences is long and thin and I will file it is a chain stitch variation.
On the sample I have stitched chain and then twisted chain to demonstrate the component parts of the stitch. Then, both the barred and alternate barred variety. Then I had a bit of fun working out other variations. You can sit or hang anything on those arms. I tried it on the letters and finally as an edging of an applique. Once you built up a bit of speed I think it would be a good applique edging.
Week 11
Spider web stitch
I really enjoyed working this stitch. I have worked the woven and raised versions many times before but not the ribbed. And it is the ribbed that holds the fondest memories even though I didn't work it myself.
In the final year of high school we had to design and stitch a piece of embroidery for part of the practical component of our Leaving Certificate. I fell in love with Assisi work but when I realised it was cross stitch, no go. I then discovered pulled thread work and drew up a design using this as the background. This was worked on an even weave linen, where it came from I don't know. I suspect that my teacher, Miss Plank, took it from her own stash. It was a tray cloth and the edges were worked in drawn thread in a zig zag pattern. I loved working on this piece. I had never done or seen anything like this before. It was one of the things that laid the foundation for my love of embroidery.
All our work was sent away to be marked by an external panel. There were not a lot of girls who took Needlework (later Textiles & Design) or Home Economics as a subject for the Leaving Certificate in the State as it wasn't counted for Matriculation for University. (I had studied music externally to make up my required subjects.) Anyway, when my work was returned that wonderful teacher had finished my corners with Ribbed Spider Web Stitch.
It was that kindness from that teacher that decided me on wanting to be a Home Economics teacher, although this didn't happen for another 20 years. When I became a teacher I made a point of making sure every student's work was finished, even if I took it home and did it myself. It was what Miss Plank had done for me. I suppose I was paying it forward when I didn't know what that was.
So this sample was stitched remembering Miss Plank , her kindness and the huge effect her dedication had on my life and hopefully through me my students.
I loved all the ribbed examples but found that a foundation of three arms wasn't really successful.
I worked the the last example in fine threads and decorated it with beads, I call this section "Gratitude". Thank you Miss Plank.
This hem begins in the same manner as all the hems for February. That is I tacked out the finished size and then the width of the hem I wanted on either side. For this hem I allowed 20 thread and I used 32 threads to 1" fabric. I worked the rabbits first in double running stitch.
I adapted a pattern that I found at Berlin Designs where they are running a Blackwork Mini Mystery Project. I added a tail and an eye to the design. There were some really cute designs here. (This project is running in March and April so there will be other free designs available.)
Next I mitred the corners and tacked and ironed the hem into position. One thread below the design I stitched a line of one back stitch, one running stitch, over 4 threads, around the whole piece. When stitching I used a crewel needle (sharp point) that would pass through the three folds of fabric, using a stabbing motion with the needle.
I then went back and embroidered the detail between the rabbits through one layer of fabric.
By using this method the hem stayed flat and did not give the 'frame effect'.
