WIPW - Golden Herringbones

It is once again time for a Work In Progress Wednesday report.

Log Cabin Challenge

I have started quilting the longer seams, those that join the blocks together. Instead of teal, like the other quilting, I switched to a metallic machine thread. It is SO easy to use compared with other metallic threads, meant for hand embroidery. 

The make is Japanese, Country Mama, and the reel says it is 100% polyester. 

At first I thought it was just one strand, almost like a fishing line. I was wrong, there are three strands. A white core and two strands of gold.  The three are tightly twisted, making the thread rather stiff, but still flexible, if you see what I mean. There is no need to use bees wax or thread conditioner, the needle and thread runs through the fabric like a knife in soft butter.

I must be the first to admit, though, that there is not as much shine or glitter in this thread as there is in DMC's embroidery floss. What you gain in comfort you lose in shimmer and glimmer!

I quilted seven lines, indicated by the arrows.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

The four hearts inspired a growth of stalks and leaves.

#63 French Knotted Chain Stitch.

#109 Knotless Coral Stitch.

Sunday Stitch School - Revision: Stitches 106 - 110

Thank you for letting me take a wee break from Sunday Stitch School. Now back to work. It is time to revise the last five stitches.

Click on the titles below for instructions.

106 Tvistsöm (Horizontal)
Easy to do, relaxing and with a nice firm seam.

107 Tvistsöm (Vertical and Diagonal)
The Vertical version is also easy to do, equally relaxing and also gives you a neat solid seam.
The Diagonal took me some time to get used to, but once I turned the  fabric on the bias and stitched in the Vertical way, it was easy-peasy.

108 Crow's Foot
A tailoring stitch that can be used for freeform embroidery. It makes interesting flowers. Mind you it is trickier than it looks to get it even.

109 Knotless Coral Stitch
It is easy to confuse this stitch with Scroll Stitch, and it IS a Scroll Stitch, but done in the opposite direction. To a right handed stitcher I think this is easier than the Scroll Stitch.

110 Russian Chain Stitch
Group together Detached Chain Stitch x 3, and you have a nice flower or pinwheel.

Homework:
Can you build a picture of Sunbonnet Sue using these five stitches? Give it a try!

Friday Homework for Lesson 109: Knotless Coral Stitch

This stitch was easy and fun to make.

Many readers have commented that this is the Scroll Stitch. Well, I can only say it is a mirrored Scroll Stitch - you stitch the Knotless Coral Stitch from right to left, and the Scroll Stitch is done in the other direction.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Crammed Stitches

Welcome to my Work In Progress Wednesday report for the first week of October.

One area of my
Freeform Embroidery
has been crammed with stitches from the Coral family.
You might not distinguish the individual stitch lines but there are:
Pearl Stitch, Coral Stitch, Corded Coral Stitch, Knotless Coral Stitch, Wrapped Coral Stitch, Zig-zag Coral Stitch, Double Zig-zag Coral Stitch and even Rope Stitch, which is a kind of Coral Stitch or Twisted Chain Stitch. So in total eight stitches.

Circle Challenge
I placed a square piece in the centre of each circle, then folded the edges over the square and basted the corners.

Glowing Stars
I have stitched a column of vertical Tvistsöm with coloured wool to build up the pattern of triangles on the sides.

Then I ran out of one colour!

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 109: Knotless Coral Stitch

I have nicknamed today's stitch 'Knotless Coral Stitch' as it is a Coral Stitch without the knot. In 'A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2', it is called Coral Stitch Variation, but I wanted it to have a 'proper' name so I can easily identify it.

Updated:
This is what Mattia says in her French comment below:
I would say in French:
- point of coral without knot or variation of the point of coral.

This stitch is very similar to Single Feather Stitch, or Slanted Buttonhole Stitch, as it's set at an angle, don't you think?

Anyway, here are my photo instructions:

Let the needle take a bias bite of the fabric, and place the thread behind the upper part of the needle.

 Tighten the thread round the needle.

Pull through and repeat.

You will soon have a nice 'wavy' line, but beware that the waves will roll out of control, just like any white-capped waves of the Seven Seas, in rough weather. This is a true ornamental stitch.
If you want the stitches to lie flat and neat against the fabric, use the ordinary Coral Stitch.

Homework:
Aida Sampler
Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart
Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth.