WIPW - Kumihimo

I have a new project to report on in this Work In Progress Wednesday post.

Kumihimo

I use reading glasses and have them on a string around my neck when not in use. The string broke, so I started making a new Kumihimo braid. I am using up stray strands of thread.

It is fun to have a new quick project. I haven't done any braiding in a long time.

Mandala

I added Buttonhole Stitch along the edge of one of the hearts.

Looking at the photo, I see I will have to redo these stitches as they are slanting in the wrong direction on the right side. It's fascinating how much you can see in a photo that you never notice with the naked eye!

Hexablooms

I cut lots of more cardboard hexagons, cut lots of new squares of fabric and stitched up ten more flowers. I pinned them together to make a neat group.

The total is now 50.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 296: Rhodes Rectangle Stitch

There are many variations of the basic Rhodes Stitch. Today we are making rectangles. Have a look at Piecework Magazine.

You can work it with more or less thread. Compare the blue with the purple rectangle. On the front there is no apparent difference,

however, the rear side tells you how much thicker the blue stitch is.

If you work on upholstery canvas, for example for a seat cover, then the thicker blue version will last wear and tear much longer.

You can start anywhere in the rectangular shape. My examples were started in a corner. This means the final stitch will be a long one. By starting in the middle, where the lenght of the stitch is the shortest, the last stitch will 'bind' all the threads tighter.

Let's start with the thrifty purple stitch:

Here is the blue version, that gobbles up a lot of thread:

Homework:

These three samplers are craving for some beautiful rectangles.

Revision Homework for stitches 291 - 295

Since November 2016 I have introduced a hand embroidery stitch (almost) every Sunday here at Sunday Stitch School. Recently we reached stitch #295. For every fifth stitch, I have also made a Sunbonnet Sue Sampler.  295 stitches divided by 5 = 59 samplers. Yes, I have 59 Sunbonnet Sues now! 

My versions of Sunbonnet Sue have always been very free and personal. However, I need to be fair to whoever created the original Sunbonnet Sue,  the pattern of a little chubby girl with her face covered by her sunbonnet. What the history behind this redwork and applique pattern is I am not absolutely sure, I have read various stories. Maybe Scrapdash has the most reliable tale.

Among my 59 Sues, only some are of that traditional pattern. I felt it was time to make at least one more. 

So here is the sampler for stitches #291 - 295, in true traditional style:

Kamal Kadai is perfect for the pinwheel and Backstitched German Knot Square makes a decorative pocket for Sue's apron.

WIPW - More Sunset Hearts in Place

It is Wednesday and time for the weekly Work In Progress Wednesday report.

Mandala

I have all four Sunset Batik Hearts in place on the Mandala. The batik was rather hard to stitch; maybe the best way to use this beautifully dyed batik is for machine stitching. Alas, I had already decided to needle turn appliqué these hearts, so I had to struggle with the stiff fabric. I am pleased with the result.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

I added a #295 Backstitched German Knot Square in the centre of the previously stitched #289 Armenian Edgeding felt circle. This BGKS stitch fixes the round piece of felt to the wool foundation so the basting that kept it in place is now removed. Another square stitch is sitting directly on the wool next to the circle.

Hexablooms

I was delighted to receive a generous selection of pre-cut squares from a good friend. 

As you can see, among the squares is a Japanese print. This is, as far as I an remember, the only Japanese print in COTTON that I have. I have plenty of silk, and maybe polyester remnants of similar designs, This will be a unique hexagon flower for this quilt - the only one that looks like a kimono print but is actually quilting cotton.

No fewer than ten flowers were produced in a week. The total is now 40 flowers.

Sunday Stitch School - Revision: Stitches 291 - 295

Let's review stitches 291 - 295, then make a Sunbonnet Sue sampler.

Click the title and you will see the stitch instructions.

291 Kamal Kadai Basic Stitch

Around the world, there are many stitches with needle weaving. Kamal Kadai is a traditional Indian version.

I wove it with a selection of threads/yarn. Which petal is your favourite?

292 Semi Diamond Chain Stitch

I found this stitch on YouTube and guess it is a 'home made' stitch. It is also a very beautiful one. Furthermore, it's easy to do.

293 Laced Arrowhead Stitch, Version 1

Sharon of Pintangle is famous for her gorgeous crazy quilt seams and her ability to combine stitches. Trust her to decorate (lace) such a basic stitch as Arrowhead Stitch to showcase various threads. It is a simple and effective way to play with all those tricky types of threads. You know, threads that are knobbly, bulky, fluffy, furry, flat like a ribbon or full of metallic fibres.

294 Indian Knotted Feather Stitch

Again YouTube is where I found this stitch. It is a version of Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch and results in a beautiful line.

295 Backstitched German Knot Square

This stitch is from Madam Totsuka's collection. I gave it the name as it is simply described as 'German Knot with Back Stitch', with no mention that it is worked in a square.

It is easy, quick and highly addictive. I also love that it changes appearance with size.

Homework:

Let sweet little Sunbonnet Sue show what can be done with this collection of stitches. 

This time you can surely guess which Sunbonnet Sue design I have used. The question is what is Sue doing?

Friday Homework for Lesson 295: Backstitched German Knot Square

 Oh, this stitch is lovely and highly addictive. Once I got started, I didn't want to stop!

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Transferring Gold

I was lucky to have some extra time this last week and consequently have made more progress on my Work In Progress Wednesday projects.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

 I made two lines of #294 Indian Knotted Feather Stitch.

Hexablooms

I raided my stash and cut lots of small squares for new petals. I also put together five more flowers. The total number of flowers is now 30.

Mandala

My plan was to add ONE heart in each of the four oval voids of the Mandala. 

So pieces of Sunset batik were cut out for the appliqué. 

Then I had second thoughts and decided to add a heart inside the appliquéed heart, thereby placing TWO hearts inside the oval voids. 

How to add the second heart? It was time I tried my hand at transfer foil. This had been given to me some time ago by a dear friend in Canada. 

First I had to check the internet for how to use the foil. It seemed quite easy. Luckily I had a pack of fusible Steam-A-Seam. Onto it, I drew four small hearts and cut them out.

I removed the paper on the reverse side of the heart, placed it in the middle of the batik and pressed with a dry iron.

The top paper was removed. If you look really hard,  you can see the sticky glue of the heart inside the green line.

I then placed the gold foil on top of the sticky heart, topped it with a piece of parchment paper and set it with the dry iron.

It was fun to pull of the plastic cover of the foil and see the heart being stuck on top of the fabric.

I guess it is not the most perfect transfer - I need more training, but I saw some charm in the slightly jarred edge.

Finally, I marked, cut out and appliquéed the larger heart in place on the Mandala.

One void has been filled. Three more to come.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 295: Backstitched German Knot Square

 It is time to learn from Madam Totsuka again. Today's stitch is from Totsuka Embroidery Stitch Book #6.

I have marked the fabric with the square.

Follow the photo instructions:

Work your way round the square with Back Stitch.

Make a long Straight Stitch

Add the German Knot over the threads only of the square and the long stitch.

Anchor.

Continue in the same way round the square.

I made a larger square in Blue.

I made a green square with longer legs on the German Knot.

Homework

Add to these samplers.