TAST 2012 - Running Stitch

One would think i could get this simplest of stitches up in time, but no, i am so late with it! it's been done a couple of days though, just havnt had the time for pictures.

This week's square started like this:

And finished like this:

 I started with simple lines of running stitch, evenly spaced , and threaded in cretan stitch - pearl cotton two stranded for the running stitch, single for the weaving.

The next was 1/4" satin ribbon running stitch, thread with two strands of pearl cotton.

 Parallel lines of running stitch in 1/8" satin ribbon, zigzagged with four strands of pearl cotton in three colors.

I had prepped this square way before, or i'd have used monk's cloth for this one. Swedish weaving with one strand of pearl cotton.

I pulled out the skeins and worked parallel rows of running stitch, varying lengths, spaces and staggering stitches to create a geometric border.

The next two are tributes to the ubiquitous Kanta work : running stitches following the contour of the shapes to fill in and create various shapes. The first makes a simple floral motif

The second is geometric, outlined like the traditional Kanta. Both are worked with three strands of embroidery floss.

The next bit is herringbone in six strands of embroidery floss, couched down with four strands of metallic embroidery thread.

I kept the dragonfly very simple this time, to emphasize that  running stitch is the "outline" stitch.

Finally, running stitch in three strands of embroidery floss, threaded with 1/8" satin ribbon. The length if the running stitch is matched to the width of the ribbon, with just a few threads picked up between stitches.

To market, to market

On commission, a large canvas tote, lined, with two inside pockets and a buttoned strap closure.

A Touch of the Ukraine

When i saw the call for testers for pysanky, i immediately jumped in - stranded knitting AND embroidery - ooooh, what a delicious morsel! And it turned out to be a lifesaver yesterday, when i unexpectedly found myself facing an all-day power shutdown. I roused my crabby irritated self, gathered needles and yarn, opened the pattern chart on my phone (thank goodness for that!!) and started knitting.

A couple of hours later, i had my first pysanka -

If you're used to stranded knitting, this is a simple quick project. Knit in fingering weight yarn scraps, with embroidery in two strands of pearl cotton. I think the pearl cotton adds a lovely crisp texture and sheen to the embroidery. I love the decorative finishing, and i'm planning to make a few more, maybe adding more embellishments :)

Designer: Amanda Carrigan
Ravelry project page: Cardinal Climber Pysanka

The pattern reminds me of the cardinal climber vine, hence the name.

Magnolias in Spring

And before i knew it, summer was upon me. The heat, the bugs (some two-legged) and the crazy schedules.
I'm terribly behind on TAST, but i did get some sewing done.

 I'm going to flash one project here. An fmq purse-style bag, on commission. The fabric is my favorite combination from my batik stash, lovely high-count cotton. Spray basted and stippled, and finished with a shantung lining, two pockets inside.

TAST 2012 - Couching

Couching is a technique where anything goes... well almost!

This week's finished TAST square -

  - started like this -

 A short length of embossed leatherette lace, couched and anchored with herringbone, embellished with seed beads.

Scraps Noro Kureyon wool couched with 3 strands of  embroidery cotton.

A piece of novelty ribbon couched with 1/8" satin ribbon - the couched stitches are narrower than the ribbon, making it gather.

A piece of silk thread - metallic ribbon - metallic cord braid, couched down with herringbone in 3 strands of cotton.

Couching stitches - straight, cross, chain and cretan.

Taken from the top - i) lines of perle cotton laid flat, couched down with beaded straight stitches ii) jute braid blind couched with a single strand of matching cotton. the orange strand is plaited into the braid. the flower embellishmnents are couched down with a single strand of perle cotton. iii) two lines of 1/8" satin ribbon, couched down head-to-tails with fly stitch in fingering merino (dream in color smooshy).

The dragonfly - golden metallic thread and textured silk cording, couched down with single strands of cotton.

Lines of fuzzies couched down randomly with a single strand of cotton.

I know I have a few friends who pop in here to see my work, so I'd like to share a few learnings :

i) Break your Rules - there is no "don't" in art, especially in crazy quilting. For example - i have a self imposed rule that i will use only the stitch of the week, resorting to the "older" stitches only if it is an intrinsic part of the design.

i broke this rule when, after couching the lace bars, i stitched down the edges with herringbone. But it had to be done in the interests of sturdiness. And then the little seed beads clamoured so loudly to get in the act that i had to let them!

ii)  Remember Context - A piece of stitching may look too plain or too ornate to your eyes, but place it next to something else, and it sings a different tune.

Case in point - the Kureyon lines are very nondescript - boring straight lines in a drab color, with no "standout" features. But I like the way they look with the other over the top bits.

iii) Innovate -  be ready to use all the tricks in your book. When the novelty ribbon wouldnt pass through the fabric, i just tucked the ends under and sewed them down. Same with  the fancy braid. The ends of the cording on the butterfly had to be tucked under the body and the head.

A wee dab of fevicol held the flower embellishments on to the exact spots i wanted them on until i was ready to stitch them down.

iv) More does not always have to be more -  i wanted to experiment with couching and the different stitches, but i didnt want to spend up all my edges on it. Solution?? - the little blocks in yellow and orange.

TAST 2012 - Chain Stitch

A feverish sore throat made me fear that I'd never finish this square on time. In fact, I wondered if I'd EVER finish it... but this morning, i just knotted and snipped off the last threads as the new message from Pintangle flashed with the latest TAST stitch.

This week's square -

It started off like this -

I wanted to move away from the linear restrictions imposed by having to sew down the exposed  edges. Multicolor chain stitch lines enclose a wavy herringbone band, and little flower bands hold down the seam lines within.

Simple chain and cretan stitch embellished by gemstones.

 A scrap of Noro Kureyon couched down with chain stitch - I grabbed a wee bit of the yarn with every stitch so that it wouldn't slip and "travel" later.

The now mandatory dragonfly. The "V" of these two seams was perfectly positioned for placing the dragonfly wings. After a lot of calculus and trigonometry, i decided a simple chain stitch filling, alternating colors, would work best.

Traditional ari work is just chain stitch worked with a hook. I'd learnt the technique of adding sequins with it, but this is the first time i tried it with chain stitch. Little rays of chain stitches go off the side, with bugle beads added between the stitches, and seed beads added to the "chains", alternating legs.

1/4" ribbon makes for a luxe line of chain, with fly stitches holding down one side.

My boxes of perle cotton came out for the next several segments. Simple chain stitched lines straddled by fly stitches.

I had to try the Magic Chain!! three colors :)

Chain stitch leaves sewn on freehand.

I remember coming across a tutorial for using chain stitch on the weaver's loom. I set up the warp with straight stitches, and chain stitched across the weft.

And finally, a fly/chain combo in three strands of embroidery cotton.

How Good is Your Ball Winder?

Can it handle this pile of fuzz??