Embroidery 101-5

Welcome to my fifth installment showcasing different embroidery stitches. Today I’m going to show you a threaded running stitch and a variation on a buttonhole stitch. I used them both on my Woodland Getaway panel but I think you could also experiment with these stitches on my other panels too. I’m using a #12 pearl cotton from Valdani thread for my stitching.

I used this variation on the wheel of the camper. I thought it would be a fun stitch to color in the tire... let me show you how easy this stitch is...

To start, bring your needle up at the outer edge.

Then poke the needle down in the center rim of the wheel and back up on the outer edge wrapping the thread around like you would a buttonhole stitch. The difference is, you are keeping the stitches close together to fill in the space.

Continue stitching around....

I'm about halfway... notice that we ignore the 'lines' inside the wheel. Remember these will be covered up with our stitches.

…. almost done!

All done! A red button could be added for the center on the wheel for an added accent.

The next stitch I'm going to show you is a threaded running stitch. It's super easy and a great substitution to a backstitch or outline stitch. I am using a variegated #12 Valdani thread for my stitching, but you can use any embroidery thread of your choice.

To start this stitch, do a running stitch on the printed line.

Then you will use the loops of the running stitch to thread your stitches through.

Here is a great close up of both the stitches that were featured today.

I hope that you enjoyed my little embroidery tutorial today. We're getting close to the lazy days of summer and embroidery is a great take along project for in the car or at the lake. It's so peaceful to sit under an umbrella, in the cool breeze with a large glass full of iced tea stitching a few stitches as I wait for my boys to get back from fishing.

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Belvedere

Embroidery 101-3

Welcome back to my little embroidery series. I hope that you are having fun stitching along with me. I like to use Valdani thread either #8 or #12 weight pearl cotton (12 being my favorite). I also like to use DMC embroidery cotton, I usually use three strands when I embroider. Remember to have good lighting, a comfortable seat, beverage of your choice handy too! I’ve been addicted to ice tea lately, mango ice tea.... yum.....

I like to use #12 pearl cotton, a single strand.

If I use DMC floss, I use 3 strands for embroidery.

Today I’m going to show you a couple of alternate ways to stitch for a bold look. The first stitch is a blanket stitch, and then I’m going to show you a basket weave stitch. 

On this part of the panel I used mainly a back stitch or outline stitch. 

I thought about it and wondered what it would look like done with much bolder stitches. I remember seeing the blanket stitch used on some vintage dresser runners in my youth at grandma’s house. So let me show you a blanket stitch and how I used it on the rooster section on my panel. 

I used a blanket stitch for the roosters body and wings. I also used a variegated thread which add extra depth to the design.

To fill in the roosters comb and waddle, I used a basket weave stitch. I don’t know where I first learned this stitch, but it’s a fun way to color with thread if you want to fill in an area. 

I used a variegated red thread and started the weave stitch by stitching long stitches evenly spaced  all in one direction.

These stitches will create your warp....

In this picture you can see that I have done several rows of weaving. Remember weaving in school?  

I use my needle as a shuttle to go over and under the warp threads.  As you can see I bring my thread up from the back, weave across and then poke my needle down to pull it thru the back side. 

Then you bring the thread up from the backside and weave in the other direction.

Continue to weave until you have the entire section filled. Isn’t it a fun stitch! I outlined the roosters head using a back stitch. Used a French knot for the rooster’s eye, and used a satin stitch for the beak. Do you see how I outlined the satin stitch for a little extra drama. The added stitches adds an extra pop.

See how I’ve used the different stitches? The blanket stitch gives the design a nostalgic look. Using different embroidery stitches Is a great way to personalize the panel. So have fun stitching and let your imagination go. I have something special planned for this rooster, I can’t wait to share it. 

I’ll be posting more stitch ideas for my Blue Ribbon and Woodland Getaway panels from Marcus Fabrics. You can find the panels on my Website and Etsy Store. I also have Valdani thread and thread kits available too. I hope that you have fun experimenting with the blanket stitch and weaving stitch as you embroider. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere