Monday, May 7, 2007

Smyrna Stitch

Smyrna Stitch is a Another variation of the cross stitch, this beauty is sometimes
known as the double cross stitch.

It forms a good depiction of the eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year.

Bring needle from back to front at odd numbers and enter fabric at even numbers.

All these Type os Sticthes look good.

For larger stars, finish with a tiny stitch across the center to prevent snagging

Basque knot

Basque knot also known as Basque Loop stitch, and Knotted loop stitch. As a stitch it can be employed singly, or scattered over an area.

They can also be worked as a textured line, as they can be easily worked joined together. The line produced is well defined as it is knotted.

Basque knot is similar to Palestrina. The main difference, as you can see from the illustrations you work the stitch from right to left, along a line instead of left to right.

The stitch is worked in the same manner as Palestrina stitch only work the stitch from right to left, along a line instead of left to right. Also instead of moving diagonally behind the fabric you move vertically.
Basque knot

Interlaced Running Stitch

Interlaced running stitch is an attractive line of loops which follows curves well.

To work this stitch simply pass the needle over and under the fabric to create a line of running stitch. Lace or thread the stitches with a contrasting colour or weight thread.

This forms the first half of the loops. At the end of the row, turn and lace to form the other side of the loops.

Use a tapestry needle to avoid splitting the foundation running stitch. With this stitch, take care to lace, and not to pick up any of the fabric.

A thread of one color winds through a line of running stitches, then the other side intertwines with a thread of a complimentary hue. Because of the perfect symmetry, it represents the balances of love and hate, light and dark, the right and left hemispheres of the brain, magickal energies, and the polarities of male and female. The intertwining threads also symbolize the mingling of ideas and thought.Interlaced Running Stitch

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Colonial knot


Colonial knot is called as figure eight knot, Colonial knot looks very much like a French knot.


To work Colonial knot stitch, bring your thread up through the fabric. I hold the thread in my left hand and with the thread loose place the needle to the right of the thread with the needle pointing away from you. Take the thread under the needle and then over the needle to form a figure 8. This can be done in a hooking action by turning anti-clockwise the needle 180 degrees.

Take the needle to the back of the fabric close to where it first came out. Before you pull it through make sure the loop is snug around the shaft of the needle

Candlewicking

Candlewicking is a form of surface embroidery that traditionally uses an unbleached cotton thread on a piece of unbleached muslin. It gets its name from the nature of the thread, which very much resembles the wick used in a candle. Motifs are created using a variety of knots and satin stiches. Subject matter is usually taken from nature, flowers, insects, etc. Other traditional motifs resemble PA Dutch or colonial designs. Modern designs include colored floss embroidery with the traditional white on white stitching.


Candlewicking has its origins in american history as new settlers sought to decorate their new homes with minimal supplies. The dust was easily washed from the fabric and able to endure significant wear.


Candlewicking is most commonly used as a cushion cover.
Candlewicking

Berwick stitch

Berwick stitch
Berwick stitch is also known as Looped edge stitch and forms a line of upright stitches each with a knotted base. This is a quick and easy version of buttonhole which is useful on needlework motifs that have curves.

This needlework stitch is worked from left to right sewing over two imaginary lines.

Bring the thread out on the lower line, insert the needle in position in the upper line making a straight downward motion and then wrap a loop of thread around the needle point. Pull the needle through the fabric to form a loop. Tighten the knot slightly before moving to the next stitch.

Berwick stitch is equally effective with the knotted edge on the inside or outside of the curve.

In the case of using berwick stitch as an decorative embellishment on crazy quilting a more decorative line can be created with the use of beads, and a detached chain, or French knots sewn at the top of each spine.

The length and spacing of the spines can create ornate patterns and effects. This build up of patterns using the texture of the ridge at the base of the spine is also very effective in forms of counted thread and drawn needlework

Coral stitch, German knot stitch, knotted stitch, beaded stitch

Coral stitch is also known as coral knot, German knot stitch, knotted stitch, beaded stitch, and snail trail. It is also incorrectly known as scroll stitch.

Coral stitch, German knot stitch, knotted stitch, beaded stitch

Coral stitch is an old embroidery stitch which creates a line that looks like a row of knots and is used for outlines and follows a curved detail well. Coral stitch is frequently found in seventeenth and eighteenth century English crewel work. It is also a very useful stitch for twiggy bits in a floral design. It can also be used to create a knotted filling with the knots form a secondary pattern across the filling.

Coral stitch is worked from right to left. To work bring the thread up from the back of the fabric and hold it loosely on the surface of the fabric with your thumb. Insert the needle at a right angle, above the line to be worked and bring it out just below the line to be worked. Pull the needle through the fabric and over the thread to from a knot.

Coral stitch can be varied by altering the angle of the needle as it passes through the fabric, and by altering the spacing of the knots along the row. The effect created is also altered by the weight and twist of the thread used. Coral stitch