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.

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 two  slips at random from my box

My Tate Gallery

Mary Ann  makes fantastic dolls! and outstanding and unique crazy quilt blocks. If you are interested in either of these, do have a look at this blog. You will not be disappointed.

Nordic Needle

Articles, Stitch Guides, Stitch Dictionary... At Nordic Needle you will find HIGH quality work. The articles are really interesting, the stitch guide full of information and the stitch dictionary explains in the index where each stitch belongs (Hardanger, Blackwork, Free form...) Please explore!

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 193: Double Drizzle Stitch

Welcome!

I learned to make the (single) Drizzle Stitch by Sharon Boggon when I took part in TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) in September 2012. Take a look if you want to go down Memory Lane and see the Drizzle Stitch used for hair on one of my stumpwork portraits.

I think I have come a long way since then, so now it is time to learn the Double Drizzle Stitch. Again I will learn it from Sharon. She has good instructions in her excellent book: 

What you need are: two threads with a good twist, like Perle Cotton.

A milliner or sharp needle with an even width.

I also recommend a pincushion with a firm filling, like this Chinese one. Inside is polystyrene (you know the blocks of white packing material). Or use an eraser. Something the needle can stand firmly upright in.

So let's get started:

Begin by threading the needle with two strands of thread. Make a knot and come out to the front.

Remove the thread from the needle. Stab the pincushion so the needle stands straight up near where the threads came out.

Start with the thread on the right. Place it on the pad of your right index finger. Hold the thread with the other hand.

Now flip your finger away from you so your nail is pointing upwards.

You now have a nice loop.

Slip the loop over the needle.

Tighten the loop around the needle.

Repeat the procedure with the thread on the left. Use your left index finger, 

flip away from you,

slip the loop over the needle

tighten the thread.

Alternate the two threads in the same way until you reach the height you want.

Re-thread the needle with both threads.

Tip:

Use either a needle threader or stiffen the thread ends with a tiny bit of glue that you press into the fibres.

Try to get the ends as sharp and pointed as possible.

Pull the needle and thread through to the back,

and there you have this charming Double Drizzle Stitch.

Anchor the stitch, or

make more!

Have fun!

Homework:

Let's cultivate some Double Drizzle Stitches on these samplers.

Friday Homework for Lesson 192: Astypalea Stitch

The V-shaped base stitches are easier to do than the interlacing. You need to keep your eye on the work and concentrate, but once you get into a rhythm the lacing is easy, too.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Teal Quilting Completed

It is high time I posted my Work In Progress Wednesday Report for this week.

Log Cabin Challenge

Since last week I have quilted 22 blocks (seen in green along the edge of the graph). This means I have now completed the quilting of all the pieces in each block. I used teal quilting thread.

Next step will be to quilt the long seams that connect the blocks. I have indicated some with arrows on the graph. I will be using gold metallic quilting thread, and the stitch I will try is Herringbone Stitch.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

Last week I made four hearts that I arranged them in a four-clover pattern.

During the week I have been busy filling the hearts with detached/individual type stitches, but as you can see I have not completed the work.

The green heart is filled with #1 Anundsjö Stitch, the purple heart got a handful of #17 Q Stitch and the orange heart is filled to the half with #190 Ring Knot Stitch.

What will I stitch in the pink heart do you think? Hint: the stitch is named after a flower which can be pink. Other shades are white, gas flame blue, and purple.

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 two slips at random from my box.

Million Little Stitches

Maya Sara Matthew is a multi talented craft lady. You can see a 'million little stitches' literally on her denim bag, she stitches on paper, embroider poems, plays around with fruit stickers, folds paper cranes, and makes fabric stitch books.

Photos are good and clear, too.

Dr Jessica Grimm

Here is a blog by a true expert. Goldwork, historical embroidery, Royal School of Needlework tutor, researcher, silk shader... Enjoy!