Tuesday, February 28, 2012

TAST Journal Page 2





I'm very pleased to share page 2 of the stitch journal, not long organized and into the folder, phew!!  Remember, I'm not aiming to have the most creatively stitched samples in the 'class', just a simple and tidy way to have stitches ready for taking along to sewing days [you never know when someone wants to learn.........].

Week 5 had us working herringbone.  I used a Finca #16 perlรฉ thread, and overstitched a little cross [in Glisten Gloss metallic] where the herringbone did the little cross-over thing.  I like this all-over effect, and think this would make excellent trim for cuffs on a blouse, or even a plain feature at the top of a bag.  


We then moved on to chevron, which is one stitch that I've done over and over again.  It's one of the basic stitches used in smocking.  Again I was looking for an overall effect, and again found this quite pleasing.  The thread is DMC stranded [3 strands, and 1 strand for the fillings].  I dyed this thread myself using two Dylon cold water colours.  It's a really lovely thread for 'garden' embroidery.

Moving along to week 7 - an old favourite, detached chain or lazy daisy.  The thread is #8 perlรฉ Minnamurra, dragged out of the box after years and years in exile!!  The little centre 'flowers' were formed with the tying part of the stitch extended quite a deal.  I often use the 'fan' formation along a seam if I'm doing some crazy patchwork, with added straight stitches and beads. 

Finally, plain old continuous chain stitch, which I have to say isn't one I like all that much.  I can't give any valid reason for that.  These threads were some more that had languished in the bottom of a thread box for a number of years.  I purchased them from Ken Smith, Brisbane, and have used them from time to time for bobbin work in free machine embroidery.  I've worked rows of chain, and interlaced, just rows of chain, and some chain with double weaving/running, which actually makes a great high relief outline stitch, something I think I will use in the future. 

I hope this set of four stitches will pass for my TAST effort, and hopefully I'll do something exciting for the next page.........  I'm also preparing fabrics for some small premmie baby quilts - in between mowing, garden duties, and ferrying hubby from one paddock to the next as he's trying to plant fodder grasses.

Thank you for always offering such wonderful support.  I have passed on the good wishes to my sister.

11 comments:

Robin Mac said...

My goodness you have been busy, I haven't even commented on your previous post yet! Please add my congratulations and best wishes to your sister - new grandchildren are a special thrill. I like your TAST samples, even the chain stitch which you are not fond of. Where do you find the time to do this in between all the outside work you are doing? Cheers

Anonymous said...

well how did I manage to get so far behind lol better catch up again. Love your samples Linda

DIAN said...

Linda, these are so neat. I am just fiddling about with mine. Had a bit of an urgent maintenance problem today so nothing done. Again.

Jensters said...

Wow Linda how amazing your stitches are.....ive always wanted to do TAST but can never find the tim.....thanks for always supporting my blog xx

Vicki Miller said...

Linda, your stitching is beautiful. I am a bit behind with TAST, but hopefully life will settle soon and I can concentrate a bit more on it. Thanks for reading my blog

Juliettecherry said...

This further work on your TAST challenge is looking good. I so like the lazy daisy design the way you have done it, and the variegated thread is interesting too.

Frances Leate said...

I love the way you are preparing and displaying your TAST challenge and this will make a great teaching resource. I have used some of these beautiful threads and they are great to work with. Take care.

Stitching Lady said...

Hi Linda, this is a beautiful page, so tidy and neat, it could be printed like that. If you could see mine, you would burst out with laughter. Did you stick your samples to paper/cardboard?

Sandy said...

It looks wonderful to me. Thanks for commenting on my blog.

Penny said...

Makes my efforts look pretty shabby, love what you are doing.

Dianne said...

Linda, Of course it passes with honours!! A lovely page of samples and you have embroidered some lovely patterns with these stitches. I think the woven lines of chain is a brilliant idea and I have book marked this page. xxx Di.