Friday Revision Homework - Stitches 216 - 220

The canvas stitches were difficult to do on this small scale, and are not very impressive either. I will have to select a better use for the next canvas stitch and make the stitches larger.

On the other hand, I think two stitches, the Pointed Tip Buttonhole Knot Flower and the New England Stitch, were good for the carrots and their green fronds.

As you can see, Sunbonnet Sue has joined the millions of people around the globe who grow their own vegetables, now that food prices have skyrocketed. She is lucky enough to still have enough water to keep the kitchen garden going.

Sunday Stitch School - Revision Stitches 216 - 220

We have completed another set of five stitches, 216 - 220, and it is time to review them and make a Sunbonnet Sue sampler. What will she be up to this time, do you think?

If you click the name of each stitch below, a link will take you to the instructions.

216 New England Stitch

This is such an elegant stitch. Use variegated thread and it becomes vibrant and alive.

217 Simplified Rice Stitch

Instead of four stitches across the arms of the large cross, which would make it a Rice Stitch, the simplified version has only two. Where you place them and how long you make them is up to you.

218 Pointed Tip Buttonhole Knot Flower

This is an Indian floral stitch. It is simple to make and stunning to look at, do give it a try. Perfect for both petals and leaves.

219 Two-sided Italian Cross Stitch

The name is misgiving, there are at least three sides with a Straight Stitch, but if you use it as a filling canvas stitch you have four sides. So shouldn't it be called a Boxed-In Cross? Be that as it may, this stitch is beautiful.

220 Back Stitched Herringbone Stitch

Three cheers for Sharon Boggon and Pintangle. Here is a nice version of Herringbone Stitch, as recently seen on her blog.

Homework:

Make a Sunbonnet Sue in action. Here is a hint.

Friday Homework for Lesson 219: Two-sided Italian Cross Stitch

 I really like this as a filling stitch on the Canvas Sampler, but it is beautiful as a single row or a border stitch, too.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Sampler

Canvas Sampler

Isn't it nice?

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 219: Two-sided Italian Cross Stitch

 Are you already familiar with the Royal School Of Needlework's new stitch bank?

Today's stitch was found there, and it is a good idea to look at the illustrations, the photo tutorial and the video to see how useful this website is.

You will find all about Two-sided Italian Cross Stitch here. There are actually two methods. Why not try both and pick the one you find easiest.

This beautiful canvas stitch is also listed in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

Here is my photo tutorial:

This is the first part of the stitch. Now work the second stitch in the same way.

When you reach the end of the stitching line, make one more upright Straight Stitch.

As you can see each cross is flanked by a Straight Stitch on either side, hence the name Two-sided Italian Cross, but there is actually a Straight Stitch at the bottom, too.

Let the thread travel on the back of the canvas behind the stitches and start a new row below the first stitch.

This way you actually have the cross totally enclosed in a square. Maybe the name ought to be Boxed-In Italian Cross!

Homework: 

As this is a canvas stitch, add it to the canvas sampler. Add it also to these samplers.