Friday Homework for Lesson 258: Half Herringbone Stitch

'Soldiers on a march', 'People walking in a line', 'Something Cretan over this stitch', 'Would be good on Canvas'... 

I have heard many thoughts about the Half Herringbone Stitch. I prefer when the stitches are stacked close together and have a not-too-high neck.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

This stitch is not so suitable for a curved line.

WIPW - Red Cups

 Work In Progress Wednesday.

Mandala

It was time to make the hard case bodies for the 'flying objects'. I had already selected a red synthetic material which is stiff, shiny and transparent. Actually, it is so transparent that I had to use four layers of fabric to cover each of the four large plastic cups.

 These will later be stitched on top of the 'wings'.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

The fourth and last rectangle has been completed. I added #257 Belgian Cross Stitch and then #240 Dutch Cross.

They were easy to stitch with the aid of waste canvas, which I removed before taking these photos.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 258: Half Herringbone Stitch

A good way to expand your collection of stitches is to cut a well-known stitch in half! Guess what happens when you divide the Herringbone Stitch - you get Half Herringbone Stitch. 

Here is a YouTube video from Arts&Embroidery:

and this is my photo tutorial:

I stitched on Aida fabric whose holes will show you clearly where

the needle goes in and out. 

There are only two movements:  down diagonally,

or horizontally from right to left.

Anchor at the end of the line.

You can easily vary how high or how crammed the stitches are.

Homework:

These three samplers are awaiting 1/2 Herringbones!

Friday Homework for Lesson 257: Belgian Cross Stitch

There are stitches and there are stitches. Some you fall in love with at first sight, some need time to befriend you, some get under your skin and won't leave you, and you have to live with that itch.

Belgian Cross Stitch is an itchy stitch. Once you get the hang of the movement,  of how the needle goes in and out of the fabric, you just can't stop. Try to take a break; your fingers get all twitchy and urge you to return to work. I love that feeling!

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

I used waste canvas to get the stitches even.

The smaller you make the stitches, the more compact the surface becomes. So Belgian Cross must be a perfect stitch for upholstery and seat covers if the work is done on a fine grid. It will be a sturdy and hard-wearing cover.

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

Belgian Cross doesn't like to curve and doesn't want to go wonky either!

Canvas Sampler

This was the easiest and most enjoyable of all the 39 Canvas stitches I have added to this sampler.

When will be the next time I find a stitch that gives me an itch?