Sunday, 30 June 2024

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 293: Laced Arrowhead Stitch, Version 1

 I learned the Arrowhead Stitch a long time ago, in 2012, when I took part in the TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) stitch tutorial and challenge hosted by Sharon Boggon of Pintangle.

Arrowhead Stitch can be either a linear stitch or a set of stacked individual stitches, like the ones I made in 2012 on the TAST Reference Chart, below.


In 2020, Sharon published a great book, Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, where several of the most basic hand embroidery stitches have been given a 'twist' or variation.

It was in this excellent book that I found Laced Arrowhead Stitch. There are two versions, we'll learn the simpler one today and leave the more complex one for a later lesson. 
While doing research on the web, I found other alterations too, so there will be more stitch fun in the future here at Sunday Stitch School!

Anyway, today let's start with the foundation, the Arrowhead Stitch and then learn how to lace it:

Make a horizontal line of Arrowhead Stitch.





Actually, I find it easier to turn the work around and stitch towards me.


Once you have completed and anchored your wavy line, re-thread the needle with a different thread. 
Now for the lacing, come out at the foot of the first stitch and take the needle upwards under the stitch without biting the fabric.

Go downwards under the second stitch and continue in the same way.

When you reach the end, anchor.

Here I used Perle 8 in both the foundation and laced stitches.

Using tapestry wool, silk ribbon, metallic or other chunky threads works perfectly as the thread only goes through the fabric at the start and end.

Homework:
Add to these samplers




Friday, 28 June 2024

Friday Homework for Lesson 292: Semi Diamond Chain Stitch

This is a delightful stitch!


Aida Sampler




Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart


The first stitch on the new reference chart. Even the name is on!


Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth



Wednesday, 26 June 2024

WIPW - The Green Man

 This is the weekly Work In Progress Wednesday report.


The Green Man

This stained glass block where I have decorated the bias tape between the various pieces of 'glass' is now complete.  Colonial Knots have been added to every void of the Herringbone Stitch.


Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Ever since I started Sunday Stitch School in November 2016,  I have made reference charts to showcase the stitches. The latest chart is now full and contains 30 stitches,  #262 - #291.

I removed the butterfly-printed support panels (they've been there to make it easier to stretch the chart in a hoop). 

Furthermore, I typed the names of every stitch, printed it on fabric and stitched each name in its right box by machine.  

The next step was to prepare a new chart and attach the butterfly panels to it. The new chart has space for 54 new stitches! I certainly hope I will be able to find 54 stitches!




 Hexablooms

I stitched up five more flowers. I used grey fabric for one of them - have you ever seen a grey flower before?




Sunday, 23 June 2024

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 292: Semi Diamond Chain Stitch

Watching embroidery tutorials on YouTube is addictive. Many interesting and beautiful stitches and stitch combinations are being introduced there. Unfortunately, many of them have no names.

Such is the case with today's stitch, which I have named Semi Diamond Chain Stitch as it is made up of two Lazy Daisy stitches joined to a V-shaped stitch, thereby forming a diamond of two kinds of stitches. Should you know of an official name, please let me know in the comments below.

Here is the YouTube video by Sun Embroidery. Semi Diamond Chain Stitch is the first of the many border stitches, it can be seen on the far left in the picture below.


Here is my photo tutorial:


Make a diagonal Lazy Daisy Stitch.


Anchor it.


Make one more, from the same starting point but leaning in the other direction.


Instead of anchoring, make an upside-down Fly Stitch.


Instead of extending a 'leg' on the Fly Stitch, start all over again to make another Semi Diamond Chain Stitch.




You can anchor the stitch, either at this point, or...

make two more Lazy Daisy stitches and anchor each at the top.


Homework:

Add Semi Diamond Chain Stitch to the Aida and the Mottled Wool Samplers and the Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart. However, this reference chart is now full so a new one must be prepared.




Friday, 21 June 2024

Friday Homework for Lesson 291: Kamal Kadai Basic Stitch

This stitch takes time - but the result is usually good. 

The 'skeleton' is easier on Aida than on the mottled wool scribble cloth where marking is very difficult. However, the weaving part was most difficult on the Aida. Strange, isn't it?


Aida Sampler


Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart



Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth



Wednesday, 19 June 2024

WIPW - A Few More Studs

Work In Progress Wednesday report.


Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

I added #289 Threaded Herringbone.



The Green Man

got a few more studs. The remaining areas can be seen here.



Hexablooms

Five more hexagon flowers were stitched and a handful of cardboard hexagons were cut.



Sunday, 16 June 2024

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 291: Kamal Kadai Basic Stitch

Here is a classic Indian embroidery style - Kamal Kadai. I have seen this version of the Woven Trellis Stitch many times on the internet and felt it was time to try it.

Today's instructions are based on Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials, where you can see her excellent step-by-step instructions here.

Here is my photo guide:

Mark four corners with an odd number of stitch points each. I chose seven.


Start by stitching two opposite corners in the Rhodes Stitch style.



Work the other two corner in the same way.


Tie the threads together with a Cross Stitch in the centre.


Now start weaving


At this point skip the two outer warp threads, i.e. weave over five threads.


When only the absolute corner thread remains, wrap it a couple of times until it is covered. Anchor.


Here is an example with different threads. Pink Perle 8, Variegated Perle 8, yellow Perle 5 and orange thick tapestry wool.

Homework: Add to the samplers