needle work » Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials

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stem stitch

Posted by sarah on 15 Mar 2009 | Category:

Also known as: crewel stitch, stalk stitch, point de cable

Through my research, I found out that stem stitch is crewel stitch. It is one of the easiest to be done and perhaps even one of the first stitches to be taught to any beginner. But, many times, people often refer to embroidery work itself as crewel work, though the actual crewel stitch (stem stitch) is never as commonly employed in it! This creates a bit of a confusion on if crewel work consists of only crewel stitch (stem stitch).

Let us now get to the procedure. To make the logic clearer for stem stitch, I have drawn a temporary stitch line with a pencil. A stitch line is through which all stitches will be running. Now, note that all the stitch points in stem stitch will fall ON the stitch line. I will be working this stitch from left to right. This instruction is for right handed learners.


Fig 1: Bring out the thread through A and take it in through B. Take the needle backwards and bring the thread out through C. Make sure the point C lies over the stitch A-B.		Fig 2: You need to note that the point C lies about half way through A and B. Also note that C lies on top of the stitch A-B. So, all the subsequent stitch points will lie on top their previous stitch.


Fig 3: Take the needle in through D. Try to mark D in such a way that the point B will lie half way through C-D. Bring the needle out through B.		Fig 4: So, the pattern of two stitches of the stem stitch will be as shown above.


Fig 5: Continue this pattern of stitching with the needle coming out through the top of the previous stitch always.


Fig 6: The reverse of the fabric will give you a back stitch pattern.

NOTE:
So, the unique feature of stem stitch is that, when you work from left to right, the needle will be brought out from the TOP of each previous stitch. In case you work from top to bottom, the needle and thread will come out through the RIGHT side of each previous stitch. This feature is what makes stem stitch unique from the others in its family.

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Tags: embroidery tutorials, hand embroidery tutorials, needle work, outline stitch, sloping stem stitch, split stem stitch, stalk stitch, stem stitch, stem stitch family, stem stitch variants

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whipped running stitch

Posted by sarah on 20 Jan 2009 | Category:

This variety gives a twisted effect. The closer the foundation of running stitch is done, the more enhanced would be the twisted effect.

		Fig 1: Lay the foundation by doing a running stitch. Bring out through near the first stitch. Now, pass the needle under each stitch from the top.


Fig 2: Continue this pattern to finish the design as shown.

NOTE:
Make sure that while taking the needle and thread under each running stitch, you do not pluck the fabric underneath.
If you happen to take the thread between each running stitch from the bottom of the stitch, then maintian it by taking from the bottom only. The trick is to give it a twisted effect.

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Tags: embroidery, embroidery tutorials, hand embroidery, needle work, running stitch, running stitch variants, whipped running stich

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interlaced running stitch

Posted by sarah on 17 Jan 2009 | Category:

This variety incorporates laced running stitch, taken both ways along the running stitch, to give it a final ‘chain’ look.


Lay the foundation by doing a running stitch. Follow the instructions of laced running stitch to get a laced running stitch pattern

Fig 1: Bring another thread out from near the first stitch and the needle under it from the bottom.		Fig 2: Now take the needle under the second stitch from the top. Continue this action of taking the needle under each stitch from the top and bottom alternately.


Fig 3: A finished line of interlaced running stitch would look like this.