May I Suggest...Monday?

Every Monday I want to promote blog reading. The names of blogs I like have been written on pieces of paper, and today I picked one slip from my box.

Yes, that is right, today I have only one suggestion, and it is for both the blog and the YouTube videos of

Ariane Zurcher

who describes her stitching as Improvisational. 

The link will take you to her blog which also contains travel reports and other stuff, but most of all is a celebration of freeform embroidery, a riot of colours, masses of beautiful threads, lots of stitches....

Ariane is also famous for her jewellery and knit designs, her writing and design. You can join a workshop or buy things from her shop, get inspiration and learn lots.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 194: Magic Blanket Stitch

Ready for another stitch? 

Today's one is 'tricky' in the real sense of the word. Let's do some magic! Once again we will use two threads of different colour.

This trick was taught by Anita of Artistic Fingers: Magic Blanket Stitch.

You need to thread the needle with two threads of different colours.

 

Make a Buttonhole Stitch, with ONE of the threads (here brown).

Make the next Buttonhole Stitch with the OTHER thread (yellow).

Continue alternating the two threads.

Anchor the last one.

Hey Presto!

Homework:

Add some magic to these samplers.

Friday Homework for Lesson 193: Double Drizzle Stitch

Double Drizzle Stitch is time consuming, but fun. 

If you use a needle threader, or stiffen the thread ends with glue or nail polish, rethreading the needle for each stitch is a breeze.

Aida Sampler

Aren't they cute?

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

I think they look best when done in two different thread colours.

WIPW - Golden Herringbones

It is once again time for a Work In Progress Wednesday report.

Log Cabin Challenge

I have started quilting the longer seams, those that join the blocks together. Instead of teal, like the other quilting, I switched to a metallic machine thread. It is SO easy to use compared with other metallic threads, meant for hand embroidery. 

The make is Japanese, Country Mama, and the reel says it is 100% polyester. 

At first I thought it was just one strand, almost like a fishing line. I was wrong, there are three strands. A white core and two strands of gold.  The three are tightly twisted, making the thread rather stiff, but still flexible, if you see what I mean. There is no need to use bees wax or thread conditioner, the needle and thread runs through the fabric like a knife in soft butter.

I must be the first to admit, though, that there is not as much shine or glitter in this thread as there is in DMC's embroidery floss. What you gain in comfort you lose in shimmer and glimmer!

I quilted seven lines, indicated by the arrows.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

The four hearts inspired a growth of stalks and leaves.

#63 French Knotted Chain Stitch.

#109 Knotless Coral Stitch.