Friday 22 March 2013

How to manage the Drizzle stitch

I am taking part in Sharon Boggon's excellent online course 'Sumptuous Surface Embroidery'. I have learned a lot and am enjoying the course tremendously. I can recommend it warmly.

Sumptuous Surface Embroidery of course means using a lot of the highly textured stitches, such as Needlewoven Picots, Buttonhole Wheel Cups and so. One stitch that is most appropriate, but tricky to work, is the Drizzle stitch.

May I share my way of managing this stitch?

The best needle to use is a Sharp or Milliner's needle. The even thickness of the shaft makes it easy to pull the thread though the loops. However, the needle has to be re-threaded each time, and here comes a problem - the thread frays easily, making it hard to re-thread. So here is a tip:

Things needed:

  • a Milliner's needle
  • thread (Perle #5)
  • a hard pin cushion, a cork or a piece of piece of polystyren
  • bond
Dip the end of the thread in bond and twist between thumb and index finger to make a sharp point. Let dry, (it only takes a minute).

Take the thread up from the back of the embroidery. Pull out the thread from the needle.

Place the pincushion (or other support) underneath the embroidery. Stick the needle straight up.

Cast on the loops. It is easy with the needle standing straight up supported by the pincushion.

When you have loaded enough loops on the needle, re-thread with the stiff bond-coated end of the thread. Easy peasy! Pull through.

Have fun!

13 comments:

Elizabeth's quarters said...

Thanks for sharing, that's a really useful tip! Can't wait to see the finished piece.

Pippas quilts said...

Brilliant idea with the glue and the pin cushion Thank you.

Julie Fukuda said...

These look like a lot of half-hitches in a line. Does it come out like a knot or a line? I'm glad I don't have to teach this to Scouts.

Annet said...

Thanks for sharing your tips. I always use a pincushion under my embroidery when doing drizzle stitch, but never thought to glue the end of the thread. I'm going to try this!

Claudia said...

Thanks for sharing such good ideas! I fully agree with you Sharon's lessons are all wonderful and highly recommandable. I

Lins Artyblobs said...

Thanks for the tip, I shall have to try it out.

carorose said...

I like you tip for doing this stitch but have to admit that I call it 'grizzle' (as in complaining) stitch. All my friends who do Braziallian stitching love it and I have to admit it looks good but I still grizzle every time I do it. Maybe this will help?

Marjolein said...

Thank you for these useful tips!

Shami Immanuel said...

Thanks for the useful tip.

www.shamiatcraft.blogspot.com

margaret said...

a great tutorial Queenie, I love drizzle stitch

JennyPennyPoppy said...

What a good idea to put a pincushion underneath! Great pictures and explanation. Looking forward to seeing what you're stitching for this course.

Isabelle said...

I would like to participate to such a class. but I have no enough time to do it.

Stitching Lady said...

So useful to know!