Today, I am embarking on a new project and thought I would share it with you so you can hand stitch along with me.
About six months ago, I started experimenting with hand embroidery to see how I could combine different stitches to make different patterns. I had used three simple stitches in the past for my Stupendous Stitching pieces (running stitch, French Knot and Chain Stitch) but I had used these stitches mostly in a line.
I decided to change up the background to design within a square and make a “book” of different stitches to refer to, just like I made the decorative machine “Stitch Bible” to be a reference for my Bernina.
Embroidery Stitch Book
Here’s a photo of my “Stitch Book”. My next post will tell you how to prepare your background and get ready to make the stitches I made (or make your own designs!). My goal is to make one design a week — 52 in all by the end of 2013. Come stitch with me!
Look for a new post every Wednesday.
Some of the pages
Your stitchbook is a wonderful idea. Thank you. I hope to stitch along with you. Am also trying to make a Stitch Bible and work my way through your book.
Great. Love the company. If you have any questions, just ask!
I enrolled in your “Stupendous Stitching” class some time ago and am just starting to get into it. I love the techniques used and am starting to experiment. Your NEW WORK – Autumn is absolutely gorgeous. Machine quilting is something I certainly need a lot of practice with but, your new piece has given me the incentive to practice, practice, practice! I am looking forward to your Wednesday post to start my own Stitch Bible.
Thank you so much for awakening the creativity within me.
Susan
I do enjoy hand work, which is one the attractions I had for your Stupendous Stitching class. Am not sure I’ll be able to do the 52 stitches that you’re planning on, but will be interested in how to prepare the background.
PS – Am enjoying the class!
Not to worry. No pressure! In any case, there won’t be 52 stitches to learn — just 52 “pages” to create with maybe 5-10 different stitches. It is just a relaxing thing to do and its fun working with different ideas and colors. (I’m glad you are liking my class!)
Thank you for your kind words about my art. I am not an expert with machine stitching but I love to do it and i really don’t worry about making perfect stitches. To me, it’s about the texture — not about pleasing the quilt police!
Carol Ann – Two questions. Can I use a smaller hoop and cut my fabrics smaller, how did you do the stitching around the edge of the square? Your stitch book is lovely and I am anxious to get started. Many thanks.
kathryn
You can use any size hoop — whatever fits your hand and fabric. The stitching around the square is a simple free motion stitch but you could also use a straight stitch (but you would have to turn the fabric at the corners).
Carol, what fabric and thread did you use to make your “stitch bible” with? I am interested in making on for my Bernina stiches. I think this is a really great idea. Thanks, Melody
I used cotton fabric and cotton thread.
Carol, Thank you for getting back to me. I decided to try felt squares and so far they are working out ok. Probably isn’t the prettiest Stitch Bible, but it is going to be functional. Maybe one day I’ll upgrade to kona cotton.
Thanks again for the wonderful book. I am looking forward to trying Stupendous Stitching after I get my stitch Bible made.
Melody Kona
I love working with felt but find my machine stitches tend to sink into the fabric too much and I like my stitches to float on the top. But no rules!