WIPW - More Is Popping Out

The week's progress is not so great, but more IS popping out of the cornucopia.

Here is my Work In Progress Wednesday report.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

The additions I made are #64 Madam Totsuka's Tasselled Chain Stitch (light blue) and #116 Woven Long Tail Chain Stitch (orange).

I am going to cut open some of the loops of #64 later, to make real tassels.

 

Sunday Stitch School - Revision: Stitches 61 - 65

It is time for Sunbonnet Sue to come out and play with the most recent five stitches taught at Sunday Stitch School.

To see the instructions and read previous blog posts, click on the heading for each stitch.

61 Raised Fishbone Stitch
As it is a raised stitch it gives a plump look, good for 3D embroidery and, if worked in a straight line,  filling in any space. It can be used both to make thick leaves or a nice rope like braid.

62 Pearl Stitch
Not difficult at all to make a nice knotted line with this knobby stitch.
A great advantage is that the knots are not really knots, so reverse stitching is not a knotty problem.

63 French Knotted Chain Stitch
The marriage between the Chain Stitch and the French Knot must be celebrated!
Just remember to  use a hoop, then it is easy to make, and will look good in a straight line or on a curve.


64 Madam Totsuka's Tasselled Chain
Here is a fiddly stitch that grows on you - the more you make, the easier it gets and the more you like them.
You can keep them as they are, or cut open the loops.

65 Rosette Stitch Rose
One can never have too many floral stitches. This will make a nice bud, the centre of any flower or indeed a rose. Also, as has been pointed out, they can look like coffee beans or balls of knitting yarn. So, both useful and easy.

Homework:

Use the five stitches on this Sunbonnet Sue design.

Cheat by using crayon and molding mat.

Friday Homework for Lesson 64: Madam Totsuka's Tasselled Chain

It's been one of those weeks when nothing is 'normal'. Now it's SUNDAY, and I am rushing to hand in my FRIDAY homework for Madam Totsuka's Tasselled Chain Stitch.

It is a fiddly stitch, but gets easier for each one you make. Also I have found that perle cotton is the best choice of thread for this stitch.

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

 Aida Sampler

 Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 64: Madam Totsuka's Tasselled Chain Stitch

For today's lesson at Sunday Stitch School we'll be focusing on a stitch in Madam Totsuka's embroidery book #12, which is on Loop Stitch and its variations.

Sadako Totsuka of Totsuka Stitch Institute has published many books on embroidery. Although all of them are written in Japanese, they are clearly illustrated. You don't need to read any instructions, looking is enough.

Now for the stitch. There is no name in the book, but the stitch resembles a loopy tassel so let's call it Madam Totsuka's Tasselled Chain Stitch.

It is made up of a Detached Chain Stitch, three loops and two Straight Stitches.

Begin by stretching the fabric in a hoop.

Make a Detached Chain Stitch (Lazy Daisy Stitch).

Anchor the stitch with a tiny stitch, 

then make a loose loop, over and under the bottom of the Chain Stitch.

Repeat and make a second loop,

and a third.

Then make a tight Straight Stitch,

across the loops at the bottom of the Chain Stitch.

Repeat with one more Straight Stitch,
and you have a tassel.

Each Chain has three loops.

The loops can of course be cut open, but in Madam Totsuka's book the loops are not cut.

Beware that this stitch is a fiddly stitch, and almost impossible to undo, so pay attention while working!

Updated:
Here is a TIP:
Use a pin to wind the loops around and you will effortlessly get nice even loops.

Homework:
SSS Reference Chart
Aida Sampler
Teal Tailoring Wool Scribble Cloth