Caterina Mezzapelle
This embroidery stitch is also known as Vandyke chain stitch. It is a line stitch and filling used on plain-and even-weave fabrics and is suitable for use with any type of embroidery thread.
You can make decorative zigzag line-an unusual outline for a shape. Work in the same way as ordinary chain stitch, but each chain loop is set at right angles to the previous one to create the zigzag line. Continue reading…
This embroidery stitch is also known as double cable stitch Zigzag. It is a simple but effective variation of ordinary cable stitch. It is a line stitch and filling used on plain-and-even-weave fabrics.
The stitches are formed in exactly the same manner as cable stitch, but each one is worked at right angles to the previous one to make a zigzag line. When used as a line stitch, zigzag cable stitch is usually worked in straight lines, as it does not follow curves well. Continue reading…
Vandyke stitch is an attractive filling stitch often used for leaf shapes. It can also be worked as a border.
Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch is similar to German knotted buttonhole stitch but with a smoother, neater finish.stitch. This is also known as Mirrored buttonhole stitch, it is useful for outlines, but can also be used as an open filling stitch when parallel rows are worked close together.
Twisted chain stitch is a simple variation of chain stitch that involves twisting the thread while making the loop. When worked in a fairly thick thread it creates a braid-like texture, as can be seen on the leaf and flower stems in the Jacobean design opposite. Continue reading…
Scroll stitch is also known as single knotted line stitch, this kind of embroidery makes attractive border. Marking a line on the fabric will help keep the stitches straight. This stitch can be used on plain-and even-weave fabrics. It makes a simple knotted line that flows around curves and follows intricate details well; it is often used to depict areas of water.
Any type of embroidery thread can be used with scroll stitch, providing that it is compatible with the weight of the ground fabric. A floss thread gives a much flatter effect than a rounded thread, such as pearl or soft cotton. It is very quick and easy to use and runs from left to right along the line. Continue reading…
Open Cretan Stitch may be used for decorative borders and edgings and appliqué. For regular stitches, use evenweave, or mark fabric with four parallel lines.
This quick and easy embroidery stitch is a variation of chain stitch. It gives a ladder-like effect, it is also known as Roman chain or square chain stitch, ladder stitch, small writing (when the stitches are narrow) and big writing (when the stitches are wide).
Open chain stitch can be worked to give either an open or closed effect, to do it you can simply adjusting the spacing between parallel lines to make a heavy outline and can couch down cards, narrow embroidery thread or ribbons. Continue reading…
This embroidery stitch is also known as centipede stitch and knotted loop stitch. This is a line stitch and it is used on plain and even weave fabrics. It has a raised, plaited centre. and it is normally used on the straight, but it will follow a curve, providing that it is gradual.
Loop stitch can also be used to fill narrow shapes by varying the lenght of the outside stitches and outlining the shape with back stitch or stem stitch for greater definition. Continue reading…
Lazy Daisy Stitch is a very simple and easy way to work the petals of tiny flowers as small daisies or forhet-me-nots. One Lazy Daisy Stitch makes each petal.
Ladder Stitch is a kind of embroidery stitch used on plain-and even weave fabrics. It has a ladder-like appearance, hence the name, and it is used as a border stitch or to fill a long, narrow shape of varying width.
This stitch should always be worked on fabric stretched in an embroidery hoop or frame to prevent it form distorting the fabric.
When the stitch is worked in a straight line, guidelines may need to be drawn on the fabric, unless the fabric threads can be counted, to keep the line straight. The rungs of the ladder can be placed close together to achive a solid effect or can be spaced apart to give the stitch a more lacy appearance.
Continue reading…
This kind of embroidery stitch is a decorative variation of the regular buttonhole stitch or blanket stitch. Knotted Buttonhole stitch has a knot at the top of the edge.
Straight Stitch is shown as single, spaced stitches worked either in a regular or irregular manner. Sometimes the stitches are of varying size. The stitches should be neither too long nor too loose.
Stem stitch is one of the most popular outlining stitches.
You can use this stitch to utline flowers or to fill an area, unshaded leaves, and arabesque, and all conventional designs.
Work Straight Stitches across the shape as shown. If desired, Chain Stitch or Running Stitch may be worked first to form a padding underneath, to give a raised effect.
Cross Stitch Materials
March 20, 2010
Cross-stitch is the oldest and best know of all embroidery stitches, it is very simple to do and a very relaxing hobby too. Cross stitch is the most important and commonly stitch used everywhere, it is the key to counted embroidery.
No limits in your creativity! You can embroider in any kind of linen or fabric. You can either work from pre-stamped items or from graphs, which is the most common.
One of the great advantages of needlepoint and cross-stitch in that you do not need a lot of different materials and complicated equipement- just an even weave fabric or canvass, needle and yarn, and a frame if you like using one.
The best way to learn how to embroider is to start choosing a small and simply chart . After you can being to embroider more complex designs like paintings, covers, tablecloths , pillows, carpets… you have not afraid to experiment!
After choosing the chart, I advise you to embroider initially on Aida cloth, because the squares are already prepared to stitch and obtain regular crosses. Remember that it is very important embroider with DMC or Anchor threads because they are more resistant.
Cross Stitch Embroidery – Materials
Before starting with the different techniques of counted threads embroidery, I wanted to suggest you the most important cross stitch materials to use. We need very few tools, each plays an important role and that is why we must know them well.
Here below I mention you the materials necessary to begin to embroider:
Embroidery Needles
Needles play a very important rule in embroidery. When you use a needle you must not create any tension on the thread or the fabric. The thread must be easily passed through the eye of the needle, causing no drag or tension on the thread. The needle should also move easily between the weave of the fabric, without having to be pulled and without leaving a hole in the fabric.
For cross stitch you can use tapestry needles, these are available in many sizes: with a large eye and all have a blunt point to prevent damage to the fabric . Choose a size of needles that slides easily through the holes of the fabric without distorting or enlarging them.
There are most types of needles, including sharps, crewel, straw, chenille or beeding needles, depending of the nature of the project and the desired effect. Do not leave needles or pins stuck in your fabric, as they will eventually rust and leave a stain that is almost impossible to remove . You can use a needle threader to place the folded wire of the needle threader through the eye of the sewing needle.
Embroidery Scissors
Embroidery scissors are small and sharp, keep them separate from your other scissors and only use them for embroidery so thay stay clean and sharp. keep them in a sheath to protect the points (and your hands).
There are two types of scissors: use dressmaker’s shears for cutting fabric and a small, sharp pair of pointed scissors for cutting embroidery threads.
Embroidery Frame and Hoops
There are in commerce various types and sizes of hoops and frames. The frame is important to keep the tissue very tense. There are various types of chassis and differ depending on the extent and form:
- Round or square hoops,
- Vertical embroidery frame
- HoopLoom
- Embroidery machines hoops
- Hoop clamps
Embroidery Thimble
A protective shield worn on the finger or thumb generally worn during sewing.
Embroidery Threads
It is very important to use only high quality threads: valuable embroidery work were lost by threads that have left the color to the first wash. To embroider you can use different kinds of materials, cotton threads, smooth linen thread, stranded silk or rayon threads, and pearl cotton.
Looking at the most common embroidery materials, you can make a classification based on three elements: the number of heads, twist and fiber. The number of heads indicate how many individual threads make up the thread, while the twist refers to the fact that the heads can not be separated.
Choosing the Type of Fiber
Cotton Embroidery: in pure Egyptian cotton yarn it is formed by four indivisible heads. Ideal for traditional embroidery, is available in a wide range of colors.
Cotton Perlé: during the manufacturing process, the thread is combed, singed by flame and the double mercerised. It is this double mercerising which gives it its beautiful pearlised sheen. The thread is soft, silky, does not fluff or kink. Twists of 2 inseparable stands.
Cotton Mouliné: in pure Egyptian cotton threads it is comprised of 6 easily seprable strands, you can vary your stitching results, depending on the number of strands used. Colours are washable and fade resistant
Wool Cotton: yarn is a more opaque, twine, used in general to work on canvas.
It should also consider the metallic yarn, which are usually used for work on canvas, clothes or evening for heads and accessories of some importance, and for Christmas parties.
The wool embroidery yarn is a very soft, but strong, and is useful for the work on canvas, threads can passing continuously into the holes of the cloth without damage de work.
The silk: it is used on fabrics particular read, for valuable work, and is a relatively expensive yarn. It requires a little ‘more skill compared to other yarn because attorciglia be very easily.
Even Weave Fabric or Canvas
The cross-stitch can be run on any type of tissue, it is important to maintain regularity in the stitch.
You can use a normal fabric like:
Aida: Ideal for the cross-stitch technique, it is easy to manipulate your needle and obtain even stitches thanks to its precise grid-pattern weave.
Aida Linen: As beautiful as linen and as easy to stitch as Aida, this fabric comes in natural colours. The ideal fabric for needlework projects, using DMC Linen Thread. This fabric allows for easy and even stitching, thanks to its precise grid-pattern weave.
Waste Canvas: Its grid pattern makes it easy to follow the design. For cross-stitch on all kinds of articles (household linen, clothes…)
Linen: specially prepared for cross-stitch and counted-stitch. It comes in an attractive range of natural and pastel colours.
Canvas
Needlepoint Canvas: is available in various widths and gauges. Gauge refers to the number of holes to 2.5cm in the canvas weave. Is can range from a coarse rug canvas to a very fine petite point canvas.
The larger gauge canvas, having fewer holes to 2,5cm, is quicl to work on and produces a bulky item with a bold design, whereas a small gauge canvas allows for more detail but it is not as hard-wearing.
The main types of canvas are single-thread and double (or Penelope) canvas:
- The single-thread mono canvas has one weft andd one warp thread crossing each other, while
- double thread canvas has two weft and two warp threads. The advantage of double canvas is that you may fill in areas with tent stitch over the double-threads.
- Interlocking canvas is a type of single-thread canvas in which the weft and wrap threads are twisted together where they cross. If you are worried about your canvas deforming this is the one to use.
The single thread mono canvas is not twisted like this and will pull out of shape more easily if your tension is too tight. However, it is softer to hold and is preferably used especially for smaller projects.
When you buy canvas, allow at least 5cm of spare canvas all around the area of your finished needlepoint to take stitching and turning into accounts. For an upholstery project, add an extra 10 cm of spare canvas all around.
Evenweave:
It is easy to count the thread, thanks to this fabric’s extremely regular weave. It also has a soft texture, making it pleasant to handle. Evenweave fabric for cross-stitch, Hardanger and all forms of counted stitching.
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[...] A running stitch can be used for straight and curved lines, for outlines, as a quilting stitch, as a gathering stitch for smocking, and as a foundation for other stitches. This is one of the few embroidery stitches where several stitches may be made at once, by running the needle in and out of the fabric. [...]