bodner059

Couching down thread is a technique rather than a stitch, but there are different ways to do it. Today we are looking at something called Puffy Couching, a method I found in A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2. Updated: French name:  Couchure fantaisie "puffy" You need either some thick woolen yarn or a hank of threads, folded in half and anchored down. You then start couching with tight stitches. Then lift up the hank of threads with the needle before you make the next couching stitch. Continue until you have a bumpy line of couching. You can vary the height and length of each bump, or keep them even. Homework: This might be a challenge on the Aida, but do your best.

Not surprising, this was an easy stitch. It has also proved to be a useful one. Here is my homework: Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart Aida Sampler Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth First I worked some standard stitches,  then I played around and added other stitches or beads: One has Colonial Knots, another Detached Chain Stitch, one got blue beads at the base arch and the pink one was used for needle weaving.

I don't know how I have managed to make any progress at all for my Work In Progress Wednesday. It has been SWELTERINGLY hot in Tokyo. However, I have had a good week and completed the vanilla and lavender ice cream block of Crazy for Crazy The Dorset button as well as the one from my stash are on. So are the beads and a number of embroidered areas. Have a look:  I have used SSS#67 Fishbone Stitch for some leaves on a Stem Stitch stem. I used the SSS#69 Point Russe Stitch but added more legs, then used needle weaving in two different threads. It made a nice fan. At the bottom arch I added a cut stone that was so glaring I just had to calm it down with some Shisha Stitch. I have also made two butterflies out of Tripple Chain and Bullion Knot Stitch. Before I start a new crazy quilt block, I will have to make a birthday card and thought I would use the pattern and instructions from Sachiko Morimoto's book on 'Drawing herbs and flowers with Stumpwork' (that translation of t...

Last stitch took us to Scotland and Greece with the Scottish Cretan Stitch, now we are in Russia. The Point Russe Stitch was found in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches. It is simple and easy, just make five straight stitches in an arch. Have a look: To make even stitches on plain weave, it is a good idea to make a template and mark the fabric. Homework: Add stitches to these three pieces. Then just imagine all the things you can do with the basic stitch.... changing the length and width of the legs,  adding knots, beads, placing a button at the bottom, using the legs for needle weaving... isn't this the ultimate embellishing stitch for crazy quilting?

Oh, what a lovely stitch!!! It is easy to do, and looks good, especially on Aida or a counted weave, maybe less so on the SSS Reference Chart, especially the brown ones, are they three dancing bugs???!!! Nevertheless, I think this easy stitch can trick anyone into believing it is a complex one. Doesn't it look impressive on the Linen Table Cloth?

For the Work In Progress Wednesday I can report on Crazy for Crazy where I have picked out a purple button from my stash, and made a beaded Dorset Button. These will be placed on the block later. Furthermore I have added Whipped Running Stitch and Herringbone Stitch to two areas. Progress is slow, I blame the heatwave.

Today we are visiting Scotland and working on the Scottish Cretan Stitch which I found in Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches. Updated:  As usual Mattia has provided the French name which is: P oint Crétois en Pavés By stitching three Cretan Stitches and then wrapping them together you get a nice thick stitch. Use it individually or make a chain of stitches. Here is how: Make a single Cretan Stitch, and two more. When you have a group of three, insert the needle underneath the three bottom legs, not catching any of the fabric,  then pass the needle through the three legs at the top.  Make another set of three Cretan Stitches, and wrap them in the same way.  Continue until you have as many sets as you like. Homework: Sunday Stitch Reference Chart Aida Sampler Linen Table Cloth

NHK Partnership Quilt I have completed the block for next year's NHK's Partnership Quilt project. It is the 15th time I contribute a block and of all those themes, this year's HOUSE theme I found the most uninspiring. It is also hard to do on this small scale, 15cmx15cm. Up till a few years ago it was 20cmx20cm, which granted us far more room to play around. Anyway I drew a square in my sketchbook, chewed the pencil for a while and then all of a sudden I had made this mushroom. I knew I had a small piece of red fabric with white polka dots, so I just needed to dig out some other small scraps. The Swedish flag on the washing line was made with crayons and a hot iron. You can see the blocks I have sent in for the last 14 years here . Should you wish to take part, the last day for a contribution is 31st July. Read more  here .

The Fishbone Stitch was easier to work than the Raised Fishbone Stitch (#61), it gives a flatter look and does not gobble up as much thread, although it does have an appetite for it. Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart Aida Sampler I tried to make some leaves, difficult on Aida, and a line of stitches. Compare the blue Fishbone Stitch with the Raised Fishbone Stitch in brown six stitches up.  Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

My Work In Progress Wednesday is devoted to jam making. The lavender jam is spreading on Crazy for Crazy as I have embellished several seams with fancy stitches from TAST and Sunday Stitch School. Much more jam will be needed so watch this space.

I know this is called Sunday STITCH School, but today we are once again dealing with something that could be seen as COOKING, or rather, FOOD PREPARATION. We are going to gut another fish while we learn how to work the Fishbone Stitch! This is different from the Raised Fishbone Stitch,(#61), which we 'gutted' some weeks ago. Updated: In French there are three names: point d'arête, point en arête de poisson, point de passé plat contrarié Thank you Mattia for the info Stretch the fabric in a hoop. Draw a light design, e.g. of a leaf.  Take a Straight Stitch in the mid vein. Come out at the top left of this stitch,  insert the needle at the bottom right  repeat on the other side, out at top right and in at bottom left  Continue in the same way until you have filled the shape.  You can take a Straight Stitch for the stem (petiole). Cross, cross, cross... that's all you need to do. Mary Corbet has a great video tutorial. Check it out here . Homework: Add the sti...

The Berwick Stitch is easy, fast and fun to stitch. It adds a little something extra (a knot) to the traditional Buttonhole Stitch. See it on Aida Sampler Sunday Stitch School's Reference Chart Teal Tailoring Wool Sampler

Work In Progress Wednesday consists of melted vanilla ice cream for my next Crazy for Crazy block. I have use seven pieces of fabric of very similar tone. It really looks like the ice cream has melted into a mess! Even a piece of ric-rac, for the embellishment, is in cream, rather than lavender.  In my stash of thread I found more purple than I had expected. I guess it will be cooked into a compote of lavender, plum and all sorts of berries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries.... Will this be the elegant dessert turned into a fiasco? Well, let's hope it will be delicious nevertheless!