Universe of learning Stitches

RAHEN · #31 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:02 PM

Rosette Stitch

a member of the chain stitch family

Rosette chain stitch can be worked on all types of fabric. As a decorative stitch it is also known as bead edging stitch and simply Rosette stitch.
Worked in a thread with a good twist this stitch creates a braided line useful for borders on sewing projects.
Rosette chain stitch can also be used to create small floral motifs by working a number of stitches around a small circle, with the chain stitches pointing outwards.
Work from right to left. Commence by bringing the thread to the front of the fabric, insert the needle, take a small stitch and wrap the needle as you would a twisted chain.

Take the needle through the fabric and pull until the loop lies flat but not tight on the fabric.
Pass the needle under the right-hand top thread above the knot.
Slide the needle through without picking up the foundation fabric.
Move along the line and repeat this process.

Rosette chain stitch is a variation of twisted chain stitch and part of the chain stitch family.

RAHEN · #32 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:03 PM

This sampler is worked on quaker cloth. It was a little experiment of mainly pulled stitches contrasted with textured stitches

RAHEN · #33 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:06 PM

This sampler is worked on 26 count linen. It was a little experiment of mainly pulled stitches. I was interested in contrasting pulled thread against highly textured stitches such as French knots, Bullion stitch, buttonhole wheels, cast on stitch and double cast on stitch , drizzle stitch, and buttonhole bars. The leaves were outlined in whipped stem stitch. Threads used are wool, cotton and silk all hand dyed by me and beads were incorporated.

RAHEN · #34 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:08 PM

Double Cast on Stitch

Double Cast On stitch is an interesting textured stitch found in Brazilian embroidery. It can be used not only in Brazilian embroidery but creatively to make interesting areas of texture.

For best results use a milliner's needle on fabric stretched in an embroidery hoop or frame.

In order to work this stitch you need to know cast on stitch.

Once you have mastered cast on stitch load your needle with two strands of thread. In other words use a double thread.

Bring your thread to the front of the fabric. As with cast on stitch leave the needle in the fabric. Lay or 'cast on' your threads either side of the needle. Cast on a stitch first using the left thread. Slide the loop down the needle to the base. Cast on the second stitch using the right hand thread and slide the loop down the needle. Repeat this action working alternate sides of the thread until you have cast on the required number of stitches.

As you work the stitches, gently slide each stitch down the needle as you go so that a firm band is created. Keep the cast-ons evenly spaced for best results.
When you have the required number of stitches cast on to the needle hold the band of stitches with your left hand and pull the thread through the stitches with your right hand. Take the needle to the back of the fabric.

This is a stitch that looks interesting in over dyed multicolour threads. Since its appeal is based on its highly textured nature it can be combined with other raised stitches such as Casalguidi, buttonhole bars and knots such as French knots, Colonial knot and Bullion knot.

RAHEN · #35 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:10 PM

Buttonhole Bar Stitch

a member of the buttonhole family

Buttonhole bar is often used in traditional pulled and drawn needlework and often seen used in combination with needle weaving.
As a stitch it is raised from the foundation cloth and can be employed in effective and imaginative manner. It is also easier to sew than most people realise.

In order to work a buttonhole bar you need to know how to work buttonhole stitch.
Start with two or three horizontal straight stitches across the area you wish the bar to lay.
This forms the bar on which you sew.

Bring the thread out on the lower left hand side of the straight stitches you have just created.
Work from left to right. Work a buttonhole stitch over the straight stitches being careful not pass the needle through the foundation fabric.
As you work slide the stitches long the bar so that the finished stitches are spaced closely together.
When you first learn this stitch use a thread with a firm twist. When it is mastered experiment with other threads.
For a contemporary treatment you can use a variety of threads such as metallic or slightly textured threads. Hand dyed multicoloured threads can also look interesting as with this type of thread the colour shifts along the bar.
Since it is important to sew the buttonhole stitches over the foundation threads without entering the foundation fabric use a blunt ended needle such as a Tapestry needle of suitable size for the buttonhole stage of the stitch.
Keeping your tension even is important so stretch the fabric in an needlework hoop or frame while you work.

RAHEN · #36 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:12 PM

This sampler is worked on 26 count linen.Stiches used are a panel of blackwork worked in back stitch, a version of double cross long tailed chain stitch, and Renaissance stitch. Threads used are wool, cotton and silk all hand dyed by me and beads were incorporated.

RAHEN · #37 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:14 PM

Renaissance Stitch

Renaissance stitch is also known as Queen stitch and is a variation on Roumanian stitch which creates a beautiful regular pattern.

This hand embroidery stitch produces a series of diamond shapes that can be arranged in patterns or worked solidly to produce a filling.
Work on even weave fabric. It is ideal worked with a thread that has a firm twist to it.

As can be seen in the illustrations first make a straight stitch and bring your needle out of the fabric near the center of the stitch and make a small stitch to tie it down.

Bring your needle out at the top of the stitch and make the second vertical stitch.
Bring the needle out near the center of the stitch.
Tie this down with a small stitch also.

The same needle action is repeated with the third vertical.

RAHEN · #38 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:17 PM

This sampler is worked on 26 count linen. It was an experiment.

I was interested in contrasting flat voided areas against highly textured stitches such as French knots, Bullion stitch,buttonhole wheel, cast on stitch and double cast on stitch, drizzle stitch, whipped spider wheel and buttonhole bars. Parts of the background is simply striaght stitch worked in various threads and in some cases pulled others not. The sea horse was outlined in whipped stem stitch. Threads used are wool, cotton and silk all hand dyed by me and beads were incorporated.

RAHEN · #39 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:19 PM

This sampler is worked on hand painted and printed linen. It was an experiment. Stitches used are French knots, Bullion stitch, whipped spider wheels and threaded running stitch. Threads used are wool, cotton and silk all hand dyed by me and beads were incorporated.

RAHEN · #40 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:23 PM

This sampler is a doodle cloth worked on hand painted and printed linen. I was interested in contrasting flat printed areas with highly textured stitches such as French knots, Bullion stitch, buttonhole wheels, cast on stitch and double cast on stitch, drizzle stitch, whipped spider wheel and buttonhole stitch. I also couched some threads by machine and hand. Threads used are wool, cotton and silk all hand dyed by me and beads were incorporated.

RAHEN · #41 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 11:25 PM

This sampler is a doodle cloth worked on linen in wool thread hand dyed by me. Stitches include French knots, Bullion stitch, Buttonhole stitch, Straight stitch and a free flowing long and short stitch.

RAHEN · #42 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 07:09 PM

Feather Stitch

a member of the buttonhole family

Feather stitch is also known as single coral stitch and briar stitch. Feather stitch is found extensively on traditional English smocks and on antique crazy quilts.
The feathery line created is useful as a smocking stitch and a needlework stitch as it is equally effective when worked in straight lines or following curves. There are many arrangements and combinations of this stitch. Today as a stitch it is still used by stitchers who are interested in the traditional and historical needlework crafts and by contemporary needle workers. This versatile stitch can be found worked today in smocking and is still one of the most popular stitches in crazy quilting.

Feather stitch is actually a variety of buttonhole stich.
When working this stitch it is useful to imagine 4 parallel lines. It is useful to mark the fabric with guide-lines using a water dissolvable marker or fade out fabric marker.
Bring the needle out at the top of the line to be worked and hold the thread down with the left thumb. Insert the needle a little to the right on the same level and make a small stitch in a downward motion so that the needle point appears on the centre line, keeping the thread under the needle point pull the thread through the fabric to make the stitch.
Next insert the needle a little to the left on the same level and make a small stitch in a downward motion so that the needle point comes out on the centre line and keeping the thread under the needle point, pull the thread through the fabric to make the stitch. Work these movements alternatively.
In the case of using this stitch worked as a seam embellishment on crazy quilting a more decorative line can be created with the use of beads, as in the illustration above or place arrangements of detached chain or french knot at the top of each spine.
The length spacing and number of spines can create ornate patterns and effects. It is also very effective worked in hand dyed multicolored thread.

RAHEN · #43 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 07:11 PM

Single feather stitch

The stitch that is referred to as Single Feather stitch is a variety of feather stitch and also part of the buttonhole family as it is simply buttonhole worked on a slant as the illustration right demonstrates.

RAHEN · #44 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 07:14 PM

Cast On Stitch

Cast on stitch is used to create raised loops of thread in textured needlework techniques. It is often seen used today to create raised flower petals and leaves in highly textured work such as Brazilian embroidery.
For the best results with this stitch use a milliner's needle on a foundation fabric stretched in an embroidery hoop or frame.
To work this stitch bring your thread to the front of the fabric and partly make a tiny stitch bringing the needle out of the fabric close to where the thread emerged initially.
Leave the needle in the fabric. In other words do not complete the stitch.

Place the thread over your left index finger rotate your finger keeping the thread still over your finger but under tension.
This movement should create a loop around your finger.
Transfer the loop from your finger to the needle.
Slide the loop down the needle. This is the first cast on stitch.

This looping action and transferring the loop, is similar to casting on a row of stitches on a knitting needle hence the name.
Work a number of cast on stitches, gently sliding them down the needle as you go.
Keep them evenly spaced for best results.

When you have the required number of stitches cast on to the needle hold the cast on stitches with the fingers on your left hand and pull the thread with your right hand, through the cast on stitches.

Take the needle to the back of the fabric and pull firmly to create the loop.

The curve of the loop depends upon the number of cast on stitches you use and distance between the point where the thread emerged from the back of the fabric and the point where the thread entered the fabric. The higher the number of cast on stitches the bigger the loop.

RAHEN · #45 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 07:15 PM

Double Cross Stitch

Part of the Cross stitch family

This version of double cross stitch is a canvas stitch but it is also a pleasure to work this stitch as a filling on linen or any even count fabric in a fine thread. As a hand embroidery stitch it has much potental.
This illustration is worked in multicoloured hand dyed thread on 26 count linen.

It is simple and easy to work as the cross is formed by working two horizontal stitches then two diagonal stitches over seven threads.
This forms the first cross. This is then crossed again by two sets of diagonal threads.
To complete this stitch work a small upright cross stitch in the threads left between the double cross.
You can use other stitches in these small places such as a French knot or a small bead.