Sunday 29 September 2019

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 109: Knotless Coral Stitch

I have nicknamed today's stitch 'Knotless Coral Stitch' as it is a Coral Stitch without the knot. In 'A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2', it is called Coral Stitch Variation, but I wanted it to have a 'proper' name so I can easily identify it.

Updated:
This is what Mattia says in her French comment below:
I would say in French:
- point of coral without knot or variation of the point of coral.

This stitch is very similar to Single Feather Stitch, or Slanted Buttonhole Stitch, as it's set at an angle, don't you think?

Anyway, here are my photo instructions:
Let the needle take a bias bite of the fabric, and place the thread behind the upper part of the needle.

 Tighten the thread round the needle.

Pull through and repeat.

You will soon have a nice 'wavy' line, but beware that the waves will roll out of control, just like any white-capped waves of the Seven Seas, in rough weather. This is a true ornamental stitch.
If you want the stitches to lie flat and neat against the fabric, use the ordinary Coral Stitch.

Homework:
Aida Sampler
Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart
Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth.

Friday 27 September 2019

Friday Homework for Lesson 108: Crow's Foot

I think you need to be in the mood to execute this tailoring stitch well. Some of my attempts went better than others. See for yourself:

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth
Isn't it ironic that on the tailoring wool, the stitches are the worst!!!??? Queenie will never become a tailor!

Wednesday 25 September 2019

WIPW - Glowing Stars

It has been another productive week as can be seen on this Work In Progress Wednesday report.

Freeform Embroidery
I added two variations of the Fly Stitch: Anklet Stitch and Buttonholed Fly Stitch.


Circles Challenge
Circles have been cut, the edges basted with Running Stitch and a round piece of cardboard inserted. The thread was tightened around the cardboard and the fabric pressed with a hot iron.






Glowing Stars
is the name I have given my design for the Tvistsöm cushion in wool. If you remember the cushion I showed in last week's post, you can see where the inspiration came from.
I have not decided on the colours yet, but will work with the wool I have, as far as possible.
I drew the design,
and started stitching right away with Vertical Tvistsöm.
So far, so good, and fun!

Birthday Card
It was time to make another birthday card. These heart shaped flowers are beaded.


Sunday 22 September 2019

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 108: Crow's Foot

Today we are trying another tailoring stitch - Crow's Foot. It is similar to Sprat's Head (#98). Both stitches are traditionally used by tailors to reinforce the end of darts and pockets, but they make nice ornamental stitches for embroidery, too. You can find both of the stitches in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

Work Crow's Foot like this:

Mark the fabric with a triangle of even sides (equilateral
and stretch it in a hoop.
 Start at the left bottom.

Go to the top

 Bottom right

And back at the beginning. Continue in the same way.
Work your way towards the centre.


 DO try to work it tighter and neater that this!

Homework:
Aida Sampler (use a sharp needle and eyeball the holes at the sides, as the grid will not make an equilateral shape)
Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart
Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth





Friday 20 September 2019

Friday Homework for Lesson 107: Tvistsöm - Vertical and Diagonal

I have now tried all three ways to do the Tvistsöm and like them all. Working on the bias for the diagonal stitches at first seemed difficult, but once I turned the fabric 'on the bias' it was much clearer:



Here is my homework:
Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Canvas Sampler (vertical)

Canvas Sampler (diagonal)


Here the three versions can be seen. Don't you think they look different? The vertical (pink) has much more of a striped look than the other two.



Wednesday 18 September 2019

WIPW - Launching Circles and Tvistsöm Cushion

This week Work In Progress Wednesday is featuring four things:

Freeform Embroidery
Here I have worked several of the Fly Stitch varieties.
From the left, Reversed Fly Stitch, (previously worked Fly Stitch), Double Fly Stitch and Twisted Fly Stitch.
Other 'flies' will be added next week.

EXTRA! A New Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart
had to be made as the previous one was full.
Here I have another 54 squares, and as you can see the first space is already filled with #107 Tvistsöm - Vertical and Diagonal (part of my homework report for Friday).
If I can fill every square on this ref chart I will have a total of 160 stitches in my Sunday Stitch School collection.
So sometime at the end of 2020, if I can keep up the work, this chart will be full...

NEW! Circles
For the last three years, when I have met my friends Julie and Tanya in Tokyo Dome at the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival in January we have set ourselves a challenge. The first was Mola, the second was Cathedral Windows.
I made these bags that double as cushion covers:
Mola

 Cathedral Windows (front)

Cathedral Windows (back)

The challenge for next January is Circles. Julie and Tanya are already done, but I have only just started.
I guess the bag/cushion cover I have started on will resemble the Cathedral Windows pattern as I am using a method called Japanese Folded Patchwork.

The parts are made up of circles and squares, and I have cut out a number of green circles, made a line of Running Stitch along the circle. I will place the smaller round cardboard card inside, pull the thread to gather it around the card, press it with a hot iron, insert some pink squares, fold over and have a square with curves. Together these squares will form circles...

For the back I will use this print I found in the UK. Some of the inserted squares will be made up of Indian brocade, fancy dress fabric with machine embroidery and sequins, and other scraps of pink.


NEW! Tvistsöm Cushion
I have fallen so in love with Tvistsöm that I want to make a cushion. I started copying the star pattern on my existing cushion, and will create a new pattern.

Considering it is still too hot and humid for my liking, I think I have had a good week.

Sunday 15 September 2019

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 107: Tvistsöm - Vertical and Diagonal

Let's continue with last week's stitch, Tvistsöm. This time I will show you how to stitch vertically and diagonally.

Use the holes to count.

Tvistsöm - Vertical

This is stitched from bottom and upwards.
The first stitch is a compensation stitch.
                             




End the column with a compensation stitch, in the middle.


To stitch a column at the side, come out one hole away to the right,
then turn the fabric.

Now start with a compensation stitch and work your way upwards like before.


End the column with a compensation stitch.

On the back the stitches are standing straight.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Tvistsöm - Diagonal

This is stitched on the bias from bottom and upwards. It is more complicated, but by paying attention to the holes, you will find the rhythm.

The first stitch is a compensation stitch.








End the line with a compensation stitch.

On the back the stitches are slanted.

Homework:
Like last week, fill in areas on the
Aida Sampler
Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart
Canvas Sampler