Practising surface stitches

13 October – Lesson number 3 (?) at Tracy’s 

There has been quite a long gap between stitching sessions due to holiday and preparing for the Embroiderers’ Guild Branch AGM…  Slight distraction, while browsing for more books on stitching ideas I came across a bargain copy of ‘Pulled Thread’ by Moira McNeill.  Although originally published in 1971, it is just fabulous.  There are so many different stitches, very clearly photographed with good diagrams to show movement of stitches across the fabric.  In my opinion this book is far better than the RSN essential guide (sorry RSN – but you don’t always get it right!). Now back to work.

Still practising on the sample piece.  Have been trying a couple of drawn thread designs for a border.  This pattern comes from my ancient copy of ‘Mary Thomas’s Embroidery Book’.

I could really get carried away with this and do a complete sampler piece…  but must focus!

I have been thinking more about the leaves that hang down from the main twisted stems.  In my original design I was going to do one with long and short stitch and the other with raised fishbone stitch.  But I just cannot get the long and short neat enough on the 32-count linen.  Having spent so much time worrying about this I had decided to abandon that idea and try some different textured surface stitches.  

These ideas are based on canvas work stitches such as Hungarian Grounding, Scotch Stitch and Chequer Grounding.  Threads:  2 strands of stranded cotton are too clumsy so that was pulled out straight away.  Perle no 12 was too heavy and I didn’t like the vertical appearance of the stitch. 1 stand of the stranded cotton with the scotch stitch seemed to be ok but it lacked something.  Tried a one wrap French knot with the Diamant in the gaps, but not sure about this either.  After much pulling out and starting again, I eventually liked the Chequer Grounding using 1 strand of S5200; stitched on the diagonal with a gap between sequences 12321 – 12321 – 12321;  then a gap between the rows.  

This left space between the rows to stitch a 121 pattern.  I tried the single strand of stranded cotton but it looked very lost.... the tried with the diamant thread.  The sparkle is there but is quite subtle. Unfortunately the photo doesn't pick up the sparkle of the diamant.

Haven't done any more stitching on my proper piece - still just practising.  Must make a decision on whether or not there is going to be any more pulled work.

My next task is to do a full size sample of the net insertion - I've been putting this off, because it involves cutting the fabric and this scares me!