Welcome to the ‘Stitch Explorer’ Sampler
This sampler is a slow stitching project for everyone who wants to enjoy learning or just simply stitching lots of different stitches. At this point we have no idea how long it will take to complete, or what it will look like!
Would you like to Stitch this sampler ?
You can join in anytime in one of the following formats…
If you want a bit more information on the project itself, please go to this page.
Gather your Supplies
All you need to start stitching are some very basic supplies…
- The Template or PDF Fabric (depending on your preference) available from the links above
- Threads of all kinds and colours
- Scissors and Needles.
Here’s mine ready to go. I have lots of different colours and threads including stranded floss, perle in different thickness’s, lace weight yarn to name a few…
About the Stitches
You do not need any prior knowledge of hand embroidery stitches in order to join in. There is a fabulous resource called the RSN Stitch Bank and I will link to the stitches on there where necessary. They give you a full step by step of the stitch in both photo and video format.
If there are any stitches I choose that don’t appear in the RSN Stitch Bank, I will provide my own step by step photos.
There are so many ways to learn different stitches, take a look at this post to find out how.
Lets start it Pretty and Simply!
I am starting stitching on the highlighted section of the sampler with…
Running Stitch
This is a nice simple intro to get started but with a lot of potential for making fabulous patterns.
How to: Running Stitch
Please take a look at the Running stitch Tutorial from the RSN Stitch Bank.
I decided to practice on the ‘Stitch Practice’ piece of fabirc with this one as I new there were lots of opportunities to create different effects.
Have a read through this blog post first and then feel free to practice first or go straight on to the sampler itself.
Basic Running stitch
Running Stitch Variations:
Whipped Running Stitch… After stitching a row of basic running stitch, take another piece of thread and bring it to the surface.
Come up at ‘A’ (secure the thread at the back with a knot) – keep the thread on the top of the fabric and take it under the stitch at ‘B’ – take it under the next stitch in the same direction and keep whipping it through each running stitch in the same way, when you come to the end, take the thread to the back of the fabric and secure off.
Laced and Interlaced Running Stitch… this is another way to embellish a basic line of running stitch. Come up on the surface like you did for the whipped and this time take the thread up through 1 stitch and then down though the next. Continue going up one and down the next to the end and then take the thread to the back.
You can vary this effect by stitching more rows like so…
You can take a second thread and lace it through again in the opposite direction to create a loop effect…
Holbein Stitch… Stitch a row of running stitch and then come back and stitch along the line filling in the gaps with the second row. You can make different effects with colours and shapes…
I had a go at trying out a few different versions…
…before deciding on which ones to use in the sampler:
You can of course use any of these stitches on the top and bottom border or in the middle. I am going to leave mine blank for now until I try out a few different ones.
Have fun stitching your Explorer Sampler!
Make sure you show off your chosen stitches in the Happy Stitching FB Group or on Instagram with #stitchdoodlesembroidery.
If you need help along the way just ask in the FB group as there are lots of lovely people stitching along with you who can offer lots of advice and support if needed.
I will have to figure out which stitch to try next!
Happy Stitching!
