Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 133: Sinhalese Chain Stitch

Welcome. Today we have Sinhalese Chain Stitch, used in traditional Sri Lankan embroidery. At first glance one would think it is an Open Chain Stitch, whipped at the sides, but it is worked quite differently.

Start with two long straight stitches (green).
These will give the whipped look.
Secure them well on the back.
Take the the thread for the Open Chain Stitch
(pink).
Come out at the inner top of the green stitch
to the left.
Lead the needle under the two green threads.

 

Make the first Open Chain Stitch

as shown in the picture.

Pull through and take the needle

once again underneath the two 

green lines.

Make another Open Chain Stitch.

Continue in the same way until 

you come to the end of the green

stitch.

Anchor the pink thread just outside 

the left side of the green thread.

Repeat on the right side.

You're done!

Homework:
Guess where to add Sinhalese Chain Stitch.
On the usual samplers, of course!

Friday Homework for Lesson 132: Dandelion Stitch

The Dandelion Stitch is not difficult, but attention should be taken to the tension of the thread. Slack in the upper U shape, and pulled in the lower V shape.

I have been asked why the stitch is called Dandelion Stitch. I don't know, but the shape reminds me of one of the winged seeds of a Dandelion seed ball. Especially if one makes the lower V as narrow as possible.

In my homework though, the shapes look a bit like headless people or maybe something organic one would see in a microscope, bacteria, virus, creepy crawlers, a new mysterious organism....

Anyway, here is my homework:
Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Log Cabin Flimsy

Work In Progress Wednesday

Freeform Embroidery
Three new stitches elbowed their way into the crowd of stitches.

Crazy for Crazy
I stitched a few stems for flowers using Portuguese Stem Stitch. Then added two of the three lace embellishments.

Log Cabin Challenge
I assembled 25 log cabin blocks into a square flimsy for the cushion.




5 new blocks were also made, so the total number is now 51.

Sunday Stitch School: Lesson 132 - Dandelion Stitch

Here is another marriage of two stitches, that together make a charming couple - Dandelion Stitch.

I found it in Elizabeth Healey's excellent book Stitch, Fabric & Thread. The book is packed to the brim with interesting techniques and projects - all sorts of fabric adventures.
A number of  unusual embroidery stitches is also included, if you remember, we've already covered Mennonite Tacks (#83) and Methodist Knot (#90).

Have a look at this book review:

Elizabeth Healey has just written a new book, that I am impatiently waiting for.

Now back to the Dandelion Stitch. It is a combination of an Open Lazy Daisy Chain and a Fly Stitch sharing the same tail.

Make it like this:
Start with a loose Open Lazy Daisy Chain Stitch.
Don't pull too hard, you want a U-shape.

Give it a long tail.

Make an upside down Fly Stitch

using the tail. 

Pull to make a

sharpish Ʌ look.

Hey Presto, the Dandelion Stitch

Homework:

Add Dandelion Stitch on these three samplers.