Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 160: Portuguese Clover Stitch

Do you know the Portuguese Border Stitch? 

It is one of the stitches I once learned in the TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) course. Basically it is a stitch worked on a 'ladder'. You go up the ladder on one side, and then down on the other, placing four stitches on each of the ladder's rungs.

Today we have a variation of the Portuguese Border Stitch. How you move along the rungs is different, though. This stitch is perfect for making flowers and as the result reminds me of a clover, I have given it the unofficial name: Portuguese Clover Stitch. Should you know of the real name, don't hesitate to leave a comment and I will change the name.

The best choice for nice coverage is six strands of floss, DMC or Anchor, or similar.

You can watch it being worked on YouTube.

or check out my photos.

First you need to draw the outlines of the flower, then stitch some horisontal bars.

Come out at the top of the design.

From now on, work over the bars, without biting any of the fabric.

First go under two bars.

Here you go under only one bar - the one you worked last.

Once again you go under two bars. You need to make two stitches next to each other.

Here you can see, how the second stitch (green line) will be stretched into the orange line and sit nicely next to the first blue line. 

The thread will then start forming the new stitch on the right side of the flower petal.

All the time you need to look ahead and imagine where the thread will sit.

Orange sits snugly next to the blue .

The blue line will stretch and sit where the orange is.

Now fill in the gap in the middle.

From time to time, press down your finger to adjust the stitches.

By now you have probably got the hang of it. Continue down the ladder.

and there we are! Anchor the last stitch.

Don't you think this could be a nice clover, or maybe a raspberry?

Homework:

Work the usual samplers.

Sunday Stitch School - Revision: Stitches 156 - 160

First of all A Happy St Valentine's Day to all.

I made this 19 years ago. I followed the instructions in Elly Sienkiewicz's book 'Appliqué 12 Easy Ways'.

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Here at Sunday Stitch School we have learned another five stitches so it is time to review. Click on the title to see how to do them.

156 Hyacinth Stitch

Thanks to Rachel's clever stacking of stitches we have the beautiful Hyacinth Stitch.

 

157 Invented Stitch (Cross)

This is a real nice stitch, it has already become a favourite of mine.

158 Invented Stitch (Half Cross)

This 'cousin' of the last stitch has the look of a winged insect.

159 Invented Stitch (Slashed)

Another 'cousin'.

160 Portuguese Clover Stitch

Here is a stitch that could be a flower, a pine cone or a raspberry, or ....

Homework.

Be inspired by the stitches to make a Sunbonnet Sue.

I have taken the help of crayons and a molding mat.

Friday Homework for Lesson 160: Portuguese Clover Stitch

Once you get the hang of how to wrap the rungs of the base stitches, this stitch is easy. One point to remember, though, it is a thread eater! You need to have plenty of thread in your needle as it is difficult to add in the middle of the project.

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Here the stitch looks more like a pine cone than a clover flower, wouldn't say?

Aida Sampler

At first I thought it would not work well on Aida, but I was wrong. You learn something every day!

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

Although Aida was fine, I still think the stitch looks best on a tighter weave.

Can you see the hole in the middle stitch? I have to confess that it is because I ran out of thread and changed to a new one. So don't skimp on thread!

Friday Revision Homework - Stitches 156 - 160

Well, the Hyacinth Stitch just had to fill a pot of blue Hyacinths, both the flowers and the bulbs are made up of this clever stitch.

Portuguese Clover Stitch was useful for a rich belt.

All the three Invented Stitches can be seen in the skirt, but look at the hat, it is made entirely of Invented Stitch (Cross). By changing direction and size, and whether you make individual stitches or a continuous line, great patterns can be made.

For the outlines I have used Stem Stitch.

WIPW - Tofsar

This week's Work In Progress Wednesday report contains two projects:

Mandala

I stitched two more lines of Palestrina Stitch radiating out from the centre. One more to go. Then I will make another four lines with a different stitch.

Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler

First I made 6 x #126 Sydd Tofs in wool. Then a five-petalled flower of #160 Portuguese Clover Stitch in salmon pink.