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.
Week 3 stitching…
This week I went a bit stitch crazy, trying out a variety of simple stitches. Take a look at all the new additions…
I chose some simple ‘starter’stitches so we could get them done in one go and then use them to add a little bit extra as we progress through sampler.
Let’s Start with…
Chain Stitch + Variations
In my opinion chain stitch takes a lot of getting used to before you become happy with the result! That’s why playing around with different threads, thicknesses as well as shapes helps you to figure out how to use a stitch as well as how to ‘stitch’ the stitch! (If that makes sense!)
On the bottom row of the Stitch Explorer Sampler, you will see there are 5 rows destined to be chain stitch!
If you have not tried this stitch before and are not familiar with how it is stitched – take a look at the tutorial for Chain Stitch on the RSN Stitch Bank.
Chain Stitch has many variations that are worth exploring. Here are a few I stitched on the Stitch Explorer Sampler…
- Perle Thread size 12: Chain stitch row then embellished with a row of back stitch through the centre of the stitches.
- DMC 3 strands: Basic Chain Stitch
- DMC 3 strands: Heavy Chain Stitchttps://rsnstitchbank.org/stitch/heavy-chain-stitchh – really great for using as a border stitch.
- Perle Thread size 12: Basic Chain Stitch
and then there is no.5!! This was actually intended to be open chain stitch however, I tried and tried to do this and just did not like the result! So, I chose to accept that not all stitches are for everyone and come up with a solution to the dilemma. This ended up being blanket stitch with a back stitch as the bottom row.
This hopefully shows you that, even when following a pattern – if a stitch just does not work for you then you can easily come up with an alternative that does work and looks equally as good!
Chain Stitch is not just an outline stitch – it has many advantages with curves as well as filling spaces. When worked individually – a chain stitch can be really decorative.
Stitch the circle of Chain stitch as shown in the photo ‘Chain Stitch Circle’…
For one of the petals on the bottom row flower…
Chain stitch around the outer edge of the petal and then fill in the centre.
Chain stitch can be a nice quick way to fill a space and look nice when complete as well.
Chain Stitch that are stitched Individually can also be called ‘Lazy Daisy Stitch’.
When stitched in a flower formation they do look like a daisy!
Stitch the ‘lazy daisy’ flower on the sampler as shown. I used 2 strands.
Making the flower look a bit more fancy…
With a few simple additons, you can make the simple daisy look so much fancier…
I stitched individual chain stitch in a yellow, inside each of the larger chain stitch. I decided to add a straight stitch in between the petals for an extra effect…
This shows you how effective a few simple extras can make a difference.
Have a play around on your ‘Stitch Practice’Fabric if you want to explore chain stitch further. There are lots more examples of chain stitch on this Stitchdoodles pinterest board.
Back, Stem and Split Stitch
These stitches are simple yet effective for so many decorative purposes…
On the flower on the bottom row, outline 2 petals – one in Split stitch and one in Stem stitch.
These are the perfect stitches to start experimenting on your letters if you have the alphabet sampler …
Blanket Stitch
This stitch is a great one to learn as it really is so pretty when used on designs – especially circles.
Try practicing this on your ‘Stitch Practice’piece first if this is all new to you. There are a multitude of ways to embellish this stitch if you want to go even further. Here are a few more examples.
Here’s some practice I did first. I played around with mirroring the blanket stitch, altering the length of the stitch and even making it diagonal.
Here’s where I have popped it on the Stitch Explorer Sampler…
Have fun exploring lots more fun stitches this week….
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.
Happy Stitching!
