As I guessed, this stitch can be done in autopilot, especially when you stitch on a gridded piece of fabric like Aida or canvas. For freeform embroidery on plain weave, denim or mottled wool, you need to pay attention to angle, spacing and stitch length.
Aida Sampler
I had less time to progress on my Work In Progress Wednesday project than I had thought.
Anyway, I can report on two finishes.
Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler
The entire piece is now covered with shiny blue sequins.
I started this sampler in November 2021, with #1 Anundsjö Stitch and added the last stitch in September last year with stitch #300, Ring Picot. Since then, I have been adding stitches and sequins wherever I spotted a void.
I will now look for a lining/backing fabric and a zipper, and turn this into a cushion cover.
The bookmark is now filled with Cross-Stitch. What remains is the stretching, pressing and fringemaking.
Here is the reverse side. I will show you the front in September. Until then, the bookmark will slumber in a box.
It's about time we had a canvas stitch. In The Embroidery Stitch Bible, I found Old Florentine Stitch. It seems to be a great filling stitch. It also appears to be the kind of stitch that can be done in autopilot mode.
Have a look at the photo tutorial:
Yes, the Work In Progress Wednesday report I should have published last Wednesday must be called Work In Progress Friday. It has been a week of befuddlement - I blame it on the recent heat wave.
Hexablooms
The assembly of the hexagon floral blocks is progressing smoothly. I've worked mainly on the dark blue flowers.
Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler
Half of what was left unsequinned last week has now been filled with gleaming blue sequins. Can I deal with the last spurt next week?
Bookmark
Here as well, progress has been made. Can I reach the finishing line next week?
Birthday Cards
Last week, I posted glimpses of two birthday cards I had made from scraps of fabric. The cards have been delivered and I can show them in full.
Notice!
Blame it on the HEAT! Tokyo has been hit by a scorching heat wave, and my brain must have sizzled up. That is why I, by mistake, posted the Friday Homework post today, Wednesday!
Let's make a swap, and I will post the WIPW progress on Friday!
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Friday Homework:
Within a few minutes, I had done my homework. This stitch is good for busy bees!
Aida Sampler
Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart
Today's stitch is called Fire Stitch. I found it in Mary Wilkinson's book Embroidery Stitches, page 81. The book was published in 1912 and can now be found at Internet Archive.
As the illustration on p. 81 shows, the stitch is made up of long vertical stitches that are connected at the top but not at the bottom. If you can hold a needle, you can do this stitch! Excellent for beginners, for wonky and freeform embroidery.
Here is my photo tutorial:
I used my artistic license and made rather wonky crosses.
Aida Sampler
Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart
Here is this week's Work In Progress Wednesday report.
Hexablooms
I added just a few more flowers. This is slow progress...
Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler
I used a few more meters of thread to add more sequins. Inside the white frame is the area where sequins have been added. 1/4 of the sampler remains to be filled.
Alternating Cross Stitch is the name of a crossed canvas stitch where every other Cross Stitch is taller than the ones next to it.
In Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, as well as in RSN's Stitch Bank, this stitch is also known as Double Stitch.
It's easy, as you can see in my photo tutorial. I used several colours for clarity, but you can, of course, use the same colour for every stitch.
Here, Sunbonnet Sue is at work. She is on a photo assignment at an art gallery.
A lot of work landed in my lap, and I have not been able to make more than a minimal progress for the Work In Progress Wednesday report.
Hexablooms
This is the stage I have reached now:
Let's review the latest stitches.
It's a charming and easy stitch.
It looks more complicated than it is.
This IS complicated, but once you get used to it, at least it gets EASIER.
324 Raised Spider Chain Stitch
You can choose how much padding you want underneath the spider's web. For a really high dome, use wadding instead of a build-up of thread.
This elegant type of embroidery requires a bit of practice. I am glad I finally added it to the collection of stitches, as it is one of the basic stitches.
Homework:
Let's Sunbonnet Sue illustrate the five stitches.
