Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 363: Torocko Stitch

Today, we have a canvas stitch of the trellis type that I picked up from Shannon Downey at Badasscrossticher. The stitch is called Torocko Stitch and consists of a grid and a number of upright crosses that are couched down in the middle.

You can also check out Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials. Or KimberlyOuimet. Or have a look at Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, if you have the book.

Here is my photo tutorial:

You need to measure out a grid of squares of odd numbers. On Aida or other types of fabric, it is easy to count the holes, and aim for squares of an uneven number of holes. I used 7 holes.

First, make the long, straight horizontal stitches.

Then add the vertical stitches.

Place upright crosses over the grid, like this.

Finally, couch down the middle of the crosses.

Until you have completed the grid.

Homework: Add to the samplers

Friday Homework for Lesson 362 Roza's Ladder Stitch

Roza's Ladder Stitch was fun to work with. Be aware, though, that you need to pay attention to how much you pull the thread to control the tension. Or each 'twiggly person' (the twisted part of the stitch) won't stand straight up.

Aida Sampler

The perfect grid is a great help to make the stitches behave and sit evenly.

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

This was done without waste canvas, and I had to eyeball the stitches.

Red Kimono Silk Scribble Cloth

For some reason, it was hard to stitch on the red silk. I wonder why the silk suddenly felt so hard and stiff...

As you can see, the stitches are not particularly straight or even.

WIPW - Another Hexagon Gift

Today's Work In Progress Wednesday report proves how useful the Hexagon blocks are!

I am making another 

Hexagon Gift

This time, I am making blocks and appliquéing them onto a pair of store-bought luncheon mats.

Hexablooms

The parts for the Hexabloom quilt are also being stitched together. I didn't count, but I think there are about ten newly assembled flower blocks in the box.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 362: Roza's Ladder Stitch

 I bet this stitch has an official name, but it is not mentioned in the YouTube video where I found it. The YouTube video channel is RozaBird. 

Don't you think the stitch resembles the kind of rope ladder often used in outdoor obstacle activity parks?  I thought so, and I will thus call it Roza's Ladder Stitch until I learn otherwise. Please help me out - if you know the stitch's real name, let me know in the comments below.

In a way, the stitch is similar to Bonnet Stitch..., but this is double...

Here is Roza's video:

My photo tutorial can be seen below:

Notice that the working thread goes down.

Notice that the working thread goes up.

Anchor neatly in the last hole of the line.

If you found this a complcated stitch, watch the video and you will see how straight forward and quick it is.

Homework: Add to the three samplers.

Friday Homework for Lesson 361: Vertical Herringbone Stitch

When I wroted the headline for this post I mistakenly wrote Detached Herringbone Stitch instead of Vertical Herringone Stitch!  

To work the stitches towards you in a one-by-one fashion you are actually making a coloumn of detatched Herringbone stitches!

Be that as it may, this stitch is easy and takes a curve quite smoothly. It could be used along a hem, as a column or indeed a stem of a flower, or if you pack the columns tightly it could be a filling stitch.

I don't know about you, but I like it!

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Red Kimono Silk Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Row 14 is in Place

 Work In Progress Wednesday. 

Hexablooms

Finally, at last, I have added every one of the 27 hexagon flowers in row 14. 

Here is the flimsy hung against the glass wall, which is going to be totally covered when the quilt is done. There are three more rows to add to shut out all the glass.

I have selected and prepared the fabric and placement for the 81 remaining hexagon blocks.

As can be seen, there is still a long way to go! Sigh! 

Please note, this is not a complaint; I am enjoying the repetitive and meditative work. It is a pleasure to look at the pieces of fabric and recollect where I have used that fabric before, who gave it to me, or in which shop I bought it. 

It's a nice stroll down Memory Lane.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 361: Vertical Herringbone Stitch

 By chance, I found the Vertical Herringbone Stitch on YouTube. You can watch it here:

As you can see, it is a kind of detatched Herringbone Stitch.

My photo tutorial is below:

Why not vary the spacing and width?

 Homework: Add to the samplers