Embroidery 101 - Chain Stitch

I have a new panel available in Quilt Shops now! It's called Bundle Up. The Bundle Up BOM is available thru participating quilt shops. If you google it you will find shops selling it as a packaged kit.

Today I want to focus on the Bundle Up and snowflake sections of the panel...

As I mentioned in my previous post,I like to use pearl cotton from Valdani. I typically use #12 or #8 thread. You can also embroider using 3 strands of DMC floss. I like to use a small needle to embroider with. I feel like needles are a personal preference. I also recommend a needle threader and an Ott Lite (or other good lighting) You will also need an embroidery hoop. I have hoops in various sizes. Again, using a hoop or not using a hoop is a personal preference. I have also been known to not use a hoop while stitching. When I work with my panels, I line the panel with an iron on interfacing on the back side. I then stitch along the edges using my sewing machine to hold the interfacing in place.

I felt I needed a bolder look on a couple sections on the Bundle Up panel. On the larger snowflake blocks the lines are thicker and harder to cover with embroidery so I needed a bolder stitch to cover the lines. To achieve this a chain stitch works nicely. 

As you can see on this snowflake, I used a chain stitch and a #12 Valdani variegated thread. I used a 'star stitch' to embroider the large dots on the snowflake design.

For the Bundle Up I use a #8 gray variegated thread to stitch a continuous chain stitch. I overlap the stitch in places. I love how the chain stitch reminds me of knitting. It's a cozy stitch for a winter themed design.

You can see how a thicker thread really makes the Bundle Up stand out on the panel. You can also use a double strand of the #12 pearl cotton too.

As you can see, you don't need to learn a ton of stitches to be able to embroider the Bundle Up panel. The Bundle Up panel featuring the Lost and Found Snowman can be found on my Website and Etsy Store. I also have the Blue Ribbon Panel and Woodland Getaway panels available on my Website and in my Etsy Store. I also have Valdani Pearl Cotton and thread kits available.

Happy quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere