Friday Revision Homework - Stitches 371 - 375

Every time I make a Sunbonnet Sue Stitch Sampler, I have five stitches to use. At least one of them needs to 'talk to me' and 'tell me what role it wants to play'.

For this scene, I had Cross and Twist Stitch, Looped Stem Stitch, Surface Darning Stitch, Whipped Reversed Fly Stitch and Oblong Cross Stitch. 

It was the Looped Stem Stitch that first whispered into my ear: "You know, Queenie, I was born to become bubbles. Let Sue take a bubble bath". 

Suddenly the Oblong Cross Stitch raised its voice and said: "I would make a beautiful latticed stained glass window, wouldn't I? Matt green for privacy".

The Whipped Reversed Fly Stitch cleared its throat and demanded: "That window needs a frame, and I insist on filling that role!"

After that, the Surface Darning Stitch piped up: " Sue will need a towel when she gets out of the bath. No one makes a better weave than I do!"

Everyone looked at the Cross and Twist Stitch. It looked back at them all and stated: "With such a fine environment, Sue needs an elegant bathtub. The old-fashioned type, with golden lion feet and a row of stars along the side. None of you can surpass me in making golden stars!"

And so, the task of making this Sampler was easy for Queenie!

WIPT - Yes, it means Work In Progress THURSDAY

I am creating this post today to test if I, too, will be having problems with uploading photos.

It seems that several other bloggers are having difficulty adding photos to their blog posts. I don't want to have to deal with this issue tomorrow when I reveal Sunbonnet Sue's adventures.

So here goes:

Here is a sneak peek of Sunbonnet Sue's reverse side.

WIPW - Making Parts

 In today's Work In Progress Wednesday report I will show you 

Sunday Stitch School Indigo Sampler

where I used leftover variegated sashiko thread to make a trellis of #375 Oblong Cross Stitch.

Hexablooms

As I had to make one more column of hexagon blocks, I have been working hard to make the parts.

First, I interviewed the fabric in my stash and decided to add the column on the right side, where there are darker blocks. 

I selected fabric, pressed, cut and decided where to put each block. Then I numbered them, pulled out my box of hexagon card templates and started basting. I have made four stacks. 

I have also basted 7 white hexagons and 17 with metallic fabric.

Sunday Stitch School - Revision: Stitches 371 - 375

 It is time to take a look again at these recently worked stitches and then let Sunbonnet Sue relax a bit.

Click on the titles to get to the instructions.

371: Cross and Twist Stitch

This stitch looks similar to the #43 Moss Stitch but is much easier to do.

372: Looped Stem Stitch

Fixing the stitches on the reverse with glue or some other stabiliser is the trick here.

373: Surface Darning Stitch

Or should we call this weaving?

374: Whipped Reversed Fly Stitch

This stitch is highly decorative and usually puzzles people: "How was this made?"

375: Oblong Cross Stitch

Isn't it nice to quickly change the look of one of our most common stitches from its square form to a tall and slim one?

Homework:

Sunbonnet Sue is fatigued after the long and hot summer. She needs to chill out and relax.

Friday Homework for Lesson 375: Oblong Cross Stitch

The Oblong Cross Stitch is easy and smooth, with a striking look.

Aida Sampler

Canvas Sampler

Red Kimono Silk Scribble Cloth

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

WIPW - I Thought I Was Done

Work In Progress Wednesday Report.

Hexablooms

I thought I was done with the Hexabloom flimsy! Alas...

Here is the last stitch:

However, after hanging the flimsy across the window, I can see that it does not fully cover the glass.

With the electric light on.

With the electric light switched off and the daylight seeping through the fabric (no backing yet). 

I quite like the 'stained glass' effect, but that would mean a backing of tulle or netting, and no batting. Hmmm...

To cover the glass means I need to add another column, either on the left or the right side. I will have to 'interview' (an expression my friend Janie of Craczy Victoriana Crazy for Quilts often uses when she looks through her stash for suitable fabric for her stunning colourful quilts) my collection of fabric to see if I have more of light (left side) or dark (right side) fabric left.

In a sense, I am glad I do not need to go shopping for backing fabric and batting just yet - it is still too hot to pedal to the fabric shop. I can do with another week or so.

Sunday Stitch School Indigo Sampler

Here I added #374 Whipped Reversed Fly Stitch.

Canvas Sampler

I realised I had missed a canvas stitch, #368 Balloon Stitch, so it has now been added.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 375: Oblong Cross Stitch

Let's do a Cross Stitch. One that is not square, but slightly out of shape, I mean oblong. Tall and thin.

I found Oblong Cross Stitch in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, in the chapter of Crossed Canvas Stitches.

Learn it from my photo tutorial:

Homework: 

Add to the three usual samplers 

as well as on the Canvas Sampler

Friday Homework for Lesson 374: Whipped Reversed Fly Stitch

 The Whipped Reversed Fly Stitch is a tease; it looks much more complex than it is. I have enjoyed playing with metallic thread for the whipping, adding nice sparkle in the middle.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Red Kimono Silk Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Only 9 Left to Go

 Work In Progress Wednesday-  progress made since last week.

Hexablooms

I have stitched 18 hexagon flower blocks to the flimsy.

9 left to do!

Sashiko Kitchen Cloth

I completed the sashiko kitchen cloth with a hem.

Sunday Stitch School Indigo Sampler

A small square of #373 Surface Darning Stitch was added to the Sunday Stitch School Indigo Sampler.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 374: Whipped Reversed Fly Stitch

 Do you remember TAST #1 Fly Stitch? 

and Sunday Stitch School's #81 Reversed Fly Stitch?

The first is a detached, single stitch. The latter is also a detached stitch, but with an upside-down stitch on top.

Today we will learn from Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials how to place individual Reversed Fly Stitches along a line, then whip the vertical 'stems' together.

Check out Sarah's instructions here, or follow my photo tutorial:

Now, turn the work upside down.

Place another Fly Stitch on top of each stitch.

Anchor at the bottom.

Change to a contrasting coloured thread.

Whip each vertical stem only.

Anchor.

And enjoy the beautiful stitch.

Homework: Add here