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.
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.
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?
Do you know the Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch (Spanish Feather Stitch is its shorter name)?
It was Sharon Boggon of Pintangle who introduced it to me on TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) many years ago.
It makes a beautiful zig-zag braid.
These pictures are not so clear so if you wish to have a better look at the instructions, check out Pintangle, or Mary Corbet's video at Needle 'n Thread.
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Now for today's lesson, I want to introduce you to a version I found on an Indian YouTube site. Here too, the stitch line becomes a beautiful braid but it is straighter and each link has a triangular look. It makes me think of a stack of ice cream cones.
Basically, the stitch is made up of two individual Twisted Chain Stitches, coming out from the same hole. I have indicated the holes with stars, see my photo instructions below. First, have a look at choyamoni889's video.
There is no mention of a name for the stitch at @choyamoni889 so I'll call it Indian Knotted Feather Stitch. I'll keep this name until I find an official name. If you have any information, leave a comment, please.
Here are my photo instructions:
Come out at the blue star and make a Twisted Chain Stitch on the left-hand side.
Insert the needle in the same blue star for the second half of the stitch, on the right-hand side.
The first triangle, or 'ice cream cone' is made.
Insert the needle at a new star, this time green, and make the left Twisted Chain.
Here I have marked where the third (black) star will be later on.
In this picture, we make the right Twisted Chain Stitch by starting at the green star.
I have marked the placement of each star, or starting point.
Also, notice that when you start a new stitch, both horizontal threads should be caught by the Twisted Chain.
Anchor the thread at the top of the right Twisted Chain.
