Hand Embroidery

Iris Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 09:13:00 +0000

Iris Stich

Use 7mm (4") silk or organza ribbon.

Cut your working ribbon about 12-14" long.

Obviously you will need a wide eye needle.

Thread your needle and, to secure it, pierce the ribbon about 1/2" from the end and pull the needle through. This technique is used to prevent some of the bulk that this type of embroidery creates.

Avoid dragging your ribbon on the back of your fabric as the width of ribbon will allow it to show through your design.

To end your stitch, tie a slip knot on the back side of the fabric.

As shown in the video, the Iris stitch is done with Detached Chain/Buttonhole and Puffed Ribbon stitches. You can also use the French Knot, Lazy Daisy and Stem/Straight stitches to create your Irises.

Don't pull your ribbon too tight or you will lose the puffy effect.

Work with variegated ribbon for even more glamour.

Experiment with various widths of ribbons after you get the hang of working with the 4".

Go free form by tacking down flat, folded or puffed ribbon throughout your design.

Check that your ribbon is colorfast or wash it prior to stitching.

Vandyke Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 09:10:00 +0000

Vandyke stitch

Draw two parallel line lines on your fabric.

Come up from the back side of the fabric on the left parallel line.

Take a short right to left weave stitch at the top center of the two parallel lines and pull through.

Your working thread should be on top of the short stitch.

Take a weave stitch from the right parallel line across to the left line.

You now have two short stitches that form one stitch line between your drawn parallel lines and you have positioned your working thread to remain in the center of the design.

Weave your needle into the two short stitches without piercing the fabric; starting on the right top and weaving under the left stitch. This is the beginning of your braid.

Take a single weave stitch from your right line to left line.

Slide your needle through the newly formed stitches so it passes under the center; again without piercing the fabric.

Continue this right to left stitching and thread weaving through the end of the design.

Make sure that your working thread remains on top of the stitches or your braid will reverse.

To end the stitch come to the back side of the fabric on the right side and tie off.

Make sure that the initial center weave stitch is perfectly centered or your braid will be lopsided.

Do practice this stitch several times before using it in your design. While it is not hard to do, keeping it even can be a challenge.

Posting will continue very soon

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:11:00 +0000

Posting will continue very soon

How to make a custom scarf - A break from embroidery

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:48:00 +0000

I chanced upon an interesting craft site today which happens to have pretty good (non-hand embroidery) stuff.

Let us hear about the video from the original uploader
“Ever thought your neck was going to freeze off it was so cold outside? Well worry no more...this week venture into Threadbanger land and learn how to not only make your very own loom but how to utilize all that scrap fabric you got lying around and make a scarf with it. Thanks to Barbara from Bobbi Clothes for hooking it up.”

Bead embroidery--A tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:27:00 +0000

You might also be interested in reading about Three Quarter cross stitch.

Chicken scratch embroidery

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:29:00 +0000

Chicken Scratch Embroidery

Embroidery handbook

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:16:00 +0000

Embroidery

Brick Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:16:00 +0000

The Brick Stitch, also known as the Cheyenne Stitch or Comanche Stitch, is a bead weaving stitch with unknown origins in which individual beads are stacked upon each other much as bricks are stacked in a brick wall.

The technique has been used by Native Americans for many years. It has also been found in beadwork in Africa, the Middle East, and South America (Guatemalan examples use beads of size 22/0 and smaller.) [1]

As the other names imply this is an off-loom technique perfected by the Native Americans. It is a relative of another off-loom technique called Peyote stitch or Gourd Stitch. [2] A Brick Stitch pattern can be worked as a Peyote Stitch Pattern if you turn it 90 degrees.

Underside Couching

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:13:00 +0000

Underside Couching - In the embroidery technique of underside couching, thread (usually gold) is laid on the surface of the ground fabric, couching threads are then passed over it. As each couching stitch is worked over the gold thread, the needle is carefully re-inserted into the hole in the backing fabric that the needle created on the way out.

The couching thread is pulled tight and a tiny loop of the gold thread from the surface drops through the hole in the backing fabric to the underside couching

This creates a hinge in the gold thread, allowing the fabric to bend and giving it a great flexibility. Fabric worked with gold thread in underside couching has much more drape than fabric with surface couched gold, thus making it a much better technique for working objects which will be worn, such as ecclesiastical vestments.

Embroidery of Kalocsa

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:07:00 +0000

Embroidery of Kalocsa

The embroidery of Kalocsa belongs to folk embroidery groups which uses freehand drawings and mixed style of stitchings. This also means that in its peculiar style it is not bound to any form, color or stitching technique. Even amongst the rhythmically repeated motifs we can find variations.

The character of the original folk embroidery of Kalocsa is, that in drawing and in color the same motifs twice can't appear. There is no well known folk artist in Kalocsa who will repeat exactly a motif.

If on an embroidery of Kalocsa the pattern is symmetrical and the motif repeats itself it is not an original folk art. Even if a pattern looks symmetrical at first glance, when examined in details one can see differences in the drawing and colors of the pattern as the picture below shows it clearly.

Broderie Perse

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:05:00 +0000

Broderie Perse is a method of applying a fabric, originally the colorful Chintz type fabrics of Europe, onto a background by hand sewing. This was done in order to randomly decorate it or establish a pictorial scene upon the background.

The efforts were turned into coverlets or quilts and became most popular in the 17th Century and possibly earlier in some cases with Indian Broderie Perse findings. The Chintz fabrics were used due to the firm outlines of the figures woven into the fabric, the images were not usually blended into the next image, there was clear space around where the picture could be cut out, as if it were in a coloring book with a line around the outside.

Thus when cut just outside the lines of those images, say a flower or bird, the artist would then take the cut-out motif and apply it onto the background fabric of the project with tiny stitches matching as close to the same color as possible. This technique made the end product look like the picture was printed on it. This can be seen as an early method of fabric puzzle piecing. The placement of the cut-out motifs onto the quilt or coverlet background was usually made into a breathtaking setting which one would definitely classify as an heirloom.

Broderie Perse was for show and these bedcoverings were often left unlined to be used for summer guests. Whether they were layered and quilted or not they were saved for special occasions.

Broderie Anglaise

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Broderie Anglaise, or English Embroidery is a Whitework technique, designs sewn with a white thread onto a white fabric.

It is first mentioned in books as coming to England in the 1820's. It does
not say where from, but I feel it may have developed from the fine Ayrshire
Needlework which had tiny eyelet holes worked among the delicate floral embroidery. This embroidery was time-consuming, worked by women in their
homes as poorly paid out-workers. It had raised satin-stitch and some
needle-lace fillings in the larger holes as part of the design.

It was much quicker just to work the eyelet holes on their own. Little ones are worked by piercing the cloth with a stiletto, a sharp-pointed tool, then over-sewing round the resulting hole. Then the holes became bigger, which meant they had to be cut out after sewing round the shape, circle or oval.

This was done by snipping with sharp pointed scissors, from side to side and top to bottom of the shape without cutting the outline thread. The fabric flaps were turned under, then the hole over-sewn or button-holed. Not as difficult as it sounds.

The designs were very lacy, in fact as time went on the patterns developed into cut-work, where more fabric was cut away than was left. These larger holes were always filled with needle-lace stitches, or whipped or buttonhole bars, often with picots.

Bunka Shishu Embroidery

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:05:00 +0000

Bunka shishu in English often shortened to bunka, is a form of Japanese embroidery originating around the turn of the 20th Century. Bunka artists use a specialized embroidery needle and rayon threads to create very detailed pictures that some liken to oil paintings.

Typical subjects include people, living things, and traditional Japanese scenes.
Unlike some other forms of embroidery, bunka is fragile and is usually presented as artwork rather than as clothing adornment.

Bunka has gained in popularity since the advent of numbered kits, which provide a step-by-step guide to producing artwork.

Embroidered sarees

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:35:00 +0000

A beautiful crush brocade georgette saree in blue color .Crush body is brocaded in golden zari leaf , floral and creeper motifs. It is with contrast rust color border and pallu. The border and pallu are woven in golden zari floral and creeper motifs. The contrast rust color self-brocade skirt design border enriches the beauty of the saree. The saree is with the matching blouse material. This collection is an ever-lasting dream, charisma and lasting thought of every womans prized possession.

A beautiful pure georgette saree in khaki brown color. Body is decorated all over with gold kasab work floral motifs outlined with resham thread work and embellished with beadwork. It is with contrast 9-yard brown color cutwork border. The contrast border with kasab work leaf motifs in double line embellished with sequins and beadwork enhances the beauty of the saree. The same work floral and creeper are beautifully decorated on the pallu. The same work is repeated on the matching blouse material.. An immaculately finished embroidery set in diversified trend to remarkably designed traditional yet novel sarees. A saree for all special occasions.

You might also be interested in:

Embroidery contest

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:27:00 +0000

I have reviewd all the entries and the lucky winners are ramani from chennai and lakshmi from delhi.Both of them are from india,let this just be a start and i hope that the next time,many oversees participants are also in.

Ramani

I asked ramani to describe her embroidered saree and also how she did it,she gave me a good explanation which I found to be genuine,so here goes...

Lakshmi

Lakshmi is a down to earth person and shes well known in mayur vihar(Delhi) for all her works.
Her embroidered product was good enough to win a saree.Congrats.

I would like to mention about sheethal too..Her saree looked good though but anyways i wish her good luck next time.

Win a saree worth $450

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:44:00 +0000

Readers,this is your opportunity to seize a saree.Send in the picture of your favourite embroidered product(it could be anything) with its description and also how you did it.

Well,if you are an excellent player in embroidery,then expect something big because we will be handing over 2 Aari embroidered sarees(worth $450 each) to two winners.Send in your entries to lemoninfo@gmail.com

Wanna become famous,then send in your entries before the first of august '07.
Entries received as of 31 july' 07 ---8

****The contest stands closed and the winners will be announced in few days.

Smyrna Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:48:00 +0000

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.

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

Basque knot

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:46:00 +0000

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.

Interlaced Running Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:42:00 +0000

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.

Colonial knot

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 04 May 2007 04:15:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 04 May 2007 04:13:00 +0000

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.

Berwick stitch

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 04 May 2007 04:10:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Fri, 04 May 2007 04:06:00 +0000

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 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 form 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.

Aari Work Saree

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 07:25:00 +0000

Get More

Filling Stitches

noreply@blogger.com (vignesh) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 06:59:00 +0000

Filling Stitches

Hand embroidery often involves covering small and larger areas with thread. There are several basic stitches commonly used to accomplish this. The most common filling stitches in general embroidery are probably satin stitch and long and short stitch. However, it's nice to have a few alternatives when filling up embroidered spaces. Here are some of the more common basic filling stitches.

Fishbone Stitch:

Here's a good stitch to start with, when it comes to filling smaller shapes such as leaves and flower petals. The advantage of fishbone stitch is that it really looks like a leaf when complet, and you don't have to do anything "extra" to add, for example, the spine down the middle of the leaf. If you want a perfectly smooth leaf, though, you would use satin stitch instead of fishbone. The trick to a good fishbone stitched leaf is to draw a line in the middle of the leaf shape to use as a guide. You want to keep your edges smooth, too.

Direction:

Begin at the tip of the shape, coming up at A. Make a longish straight stitch straight down, following the center line marked in the leaf. Come up at B, and then slant your stitch to cross over the base of the straight stitch, just to the other side of your center line. Come up at C, and go down just on the other side of the center line, crossing over the tip of the previous stitch you just made. Note that the stitches take turns crossing over each other at the center line. They do not enter the fabric "on the line" - rather, just to the other side of the line. In this manner, the stitches overlap each other, all the way down the shape, giving the shape that "woven" look, creating the "spine" down the middle. Keep your stitches close together - you want to cover the area solidly.

flat stich:

This is a lot like the fishbone stitch, but instead of stitching over one center line, you draw two lines just off the center, and take your needle down on either one of them. The flat stitch is also known as the Croatian stitch or the Croatian flat stitch. Again, it solidly fills a shape, forming an overlap in your stitches so that a kind of spine runs down th emiddle of the shape. Once executed, it looks almost identical to the fishbone, except it doesn't come to a point. Flat stitch is a good way to fill in circular flower petals.

Direction:

Again, with this stitch, you're going to be working slightly slanted stitches. Come up at A, go down at B, up at C, cross over the stitch you made when you went down at B, and go down at D. Keep your stitches close together, creating a solid filling. Make certain your edges are kept smooth by following the outline carefully, and taking up very little fabric between stitches