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Stitch this Fabulous Sampler
If you want to stitch this wonderful sampler and learn over 30 Hand Embroidery stitches then head over to this page for all the information.
Guilloche stitch
This is a composite stitch which basically means it is composed of 2 or more different stitches.
Guilloche stitch is incredibly simple but so pretty and a great addition to your sampler. Once you know how it is composed you won’t be able to resist using it for decorative borders.
If you have purchased the Pre Printed Fabric Panel or have tranferred the Template to your fabric – scroll down to the ‘Start Stitching’ section to get started straight away.
Where to stitch…
We are going to place the stitch along the bottom edge of the top left quarter circle.
Measure about 1cm up from the half way line and draw a line straight across…
Next, In between these 2 lines (across the center) you need to mark a line of dashes – these will be stitches – I made mine about 0.5cm in length and spaced them about that distance between each other.
Start Stitching…
Stem Stitch
Stitch the top and bottom lines in Stem Stitch.
I chose 2 strands of floss in purple.
Stem Stitch is one of those stitches that seems really complicated until you do it a few times. Here’s a breakdown of the stitch…
You make a stitch and then come back on yourself halfway in to that stitch to start the next stitch.
The smaller your stitches the neater the line is and this also makes curves a lot easier as well.
Stem stitch the top and bottom lines like so…
If you want some more information or different explanations you can find them on my Pinterest Board here.
Next you are going to do some tiny bits of Satin stitch (or straight stitch – depending on how you look at it!)
All you have to do is stitch a straight line over the dashed lines and then do another straight line above and below each so they are 3 stitches thick.
I used 2 strands of thread in the same colour as the outer lines.
Completed Satin Stitch…
Completing your Guilloche Stitch…
Choose a contrasting thread for the loops – I decided on a Perle thread size 8, which is a single stranded thread about the equivalent to 4 strands of floss. The colour I used is a yellow green.
Bring your chosen thread out at the start point (top edge in centre of satin stitch). The rest of the stitch is worked on top of the ground fabric – you don’t take the thread back into the ground fabric until you are finished (or your thread runs out!)
Weave your thread through the next set of satin stitch (underneath the stitches – not in to the ground fabric) – and then bring the thread around and up through the next set of satin stitches…
Note… Rather than re-thread to a blunt tapestry needle – I just use the blunt end of the needle I am already using to weave the thread through.
Complete the first set of weaving to create a wavy line going through the satin stitch from one end to the other…
When you reach the end – all you need to do is weave the thread back along the line in the opposite direction to complete the loop effect…
Keep adjusting the thread as you go to form the loops to the desired size. When you reach the last set of satin stitch, take the thread to the back on the centre part of the lower satin stitch.
French Knots to finish…
As a final touch there is one more stitch – French Knots …
Stitch a single french knot inside each of the circles that you created with the loops of thread. I used 2 strands of light purple for this.
If you need some help with French Knots, take a look here.
Now your Guilloche Stitch is complete. Share your progress in the Happy Stitching Facebook Group…
Happy Stitching!
