Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 336: Shadow Stitch

Let's start the new set of five stitches with a classic one - Shadow Stitch.

Mary Corbet of Needle 'n Thread has an interesting article with several pointers. It is well worth reading. There are no instructions, though. 

So either check out a book like Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches or the online instructions of Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials.

Actually, there are two ways to work this stitch - from the front or the reverse side of the fabric. The front will show you two lines of Back Stitch, and through the sheer fabric, you will see a shadow. You see, almost by magic, these stitches will, on the back, create a line of Closed Herringbone Stitch.

Now, if you work the reverse side with Closed Herringbone Stitch, the front will give you two lines of Back Stitch, and in between you will see a faint shadow of the Herringbones peeping through the sheer fabric.

Which stitch do you prefer, Back or Closed Herringbone? I like the latter far better than the former. My photo instructions will therefore be stitching the Closed Herringbone from the back of the work:

Start by selecting a sheer but strong fabric.

I used light blue nylon salvaged from a cheap ball gown.

Stretch the fabric tight in a hoop. Mark the design.

Place a waste knot far away (so you have a long tail

to fasten discreetly afterwards).

Work a line of Closed Herringbone Stitch

along the marked line.

Turn the work and do the upper line of the oval 

in the same way.

When you come to the end, turn the fabric to 

see the back-stitched line.

Fasten the working thread with a long stitch between 

the fabric and the Herringbone Stitches.

Cut off the thread as close to the stitched line as possible.

Remove the waste knot you started with and 

fasten the tail in the same way.

Here is the front side with the shadow in 

between the Back Stitch lines.

Here is the reverse side.

With practice, the stitches will be more even, I hope.

Homework:

Add to the samplers by using appliquéd sheer fabric.

Friday Revision Homework - Stitches 331 - 335

I'm sorry I'm posting this a day late. I have now recovered from the involuntary 'glue sniffing'caused by yesterday's maintenance work in my home.

Here is the Sunbonnet Sue revision homework for stitches 331 - 335.

REPTILE WARNING!

If you dislike slithering reptiles, stop reading now!

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The Hungarian Braid Chain can be so snakelike, I decided to use this stitch for a snake tattoo on Sue's back.

Her coiffure is also made up of this stitch. 

The mirror frame has Damask Darning carvings.

Sue's towel has a Pachis Work pattern and an Astrakhan Velvet frilled border.

Sue's knickers are broderie anglaise cotton, and her earrings dangling stars. Both knickers and earrings are worked in Irregular Algerian Eyelet Stitch.

Friday Revision Homework - Delayed

 I should have had Sue ready for the Friday Revision Homework today, but...

a few craftsmen have been here to do some repairs. The thinner and glue they used is still making me lightheaded, groggy and has left me with a bit of a headache. 

I feel like this:

I should have worn protective gear:

I hope to have Sue ready for her curtain call tomorrow.

WIPW - Trudging On

 The Work In Progress Wednesday report today is a bit short.

Sunday Stitch School Indigo Stitch Sampler

I added four stitches: #318 Rhodes Circle, #319 Split Back Stitch, #320 Clown Collar Stitch and #321 Cornucopia Chain Stitch.

Mandala 

I have got halfway with the garlands. Four have been stitched on, four more to add.

Hexablooms

I added just six more flower blocks and now have 108.

It's getting more and more complicated to photograph.