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.
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.
Whipped Herringbone and Catherine Wheel.
Lets start with the…
Whipped Herringbone Stitch
Herringbone Stitch is a border stitch which is made up of a crossed zig zag line – it has lots of different variations which create lots of different effects. I chose a whipped addition as it is really simple yet makes it look so pretty.
Mark a straight line slightly adjacent to the heavy chain stitch line.
Next mark another line about 1cm away from this as in the photo.
Start Stitching…
Choose the thread for the zig zags – I used 2 strands of thread in a lime green.
Come up on the start of the lower line at number 1…
You are going to create a line of zig zags that cross over one another on the top and bottom lines.
Bring the thread up at 1, down at 2, up at 3 and down at 4 – this creates the first crossover on the top line. Bring the thread out at 5 and down at 6, up at 7 and down at 8…
Keep going in this way to complete the Herringbone Stitch along the line.
Add the detail…
Choose a contrasting thread for weaving through – I used 3 strands of a lilac colour.
Bring the thread out at 1 and then weave it through the Herringbone without taking it back through the ground fabric. As you weave – adjust the loops to the way you want them to look. Once you reach the end – take the thread to the back to complete.
Now for the next stitch…
Catherine Wheel
This used to be used to fill up round holes on muslin but nowadays this has been adapted in to a really fun decorative surface stitch that can be used in all sorts of designs.
Draw a circle (3cm in diameter) near the top left edge of the lower quarter circle.
Start Stitching…
First, we are going to stitch a large circle of blanket stitches with the loops on the circle line and the stitch lines extending outwards.
I used 2 strands of floss – come up on the line at 1 and take the needle down at 2 ( slightly to the right of 1 and the length from the circle line that you want your stitches to be). You then come up at 3 (this is on the line and slightly to the right of 1 so that the stitch will come down straight when looped.
As in the photo above, as you pull the thread through at 3 – make sure the thread is to the right of the needle so it will be looped as you pull the thread tight.
Continue going out at 4 and back in at 5 looping the thread around the needle as you pull tight and forming the straight outer stitches. (Each time you take the thread to the back away from the line and back in on the line).
Phew – if you got this far – well done on not only doing blanket stitch but doing it on a circle! Woo hoo. Take a breather ready for the next bit…
Choose a contrasting thread (I used 3 strands in green). Bring the thread up on the inside of the circle just below one of the spokes.
Now – you don’t take the thread through to the back of the ground fabric until the whole circle has been worked around.
You might find it easier to switch to a tapestry needle for this part…
Repeat the above to create tiny loops going around your wheel and once you reach where you started, take the thread to the back and secure.
Easy Peasy Spokes…
Choose another thread – this time I went for a bright orange and decided to use all 6 strands of the floss.
Come up on the inner edge of the circle (inside one of the little loops) and take the thread back down directly opposite to create a large straight stitch. Do exactly the same to create a cross and then do 2 more straight stitches diagonally across – this gives the effect of 8 spokes in the center space…
Now choose another contrasting thread – I chose 3 strands of blue. Bring the thread up in the centre next to the orange spokes (1)
All you need to do now is keep the thread on the surface as you complete this final detail.
Back stitch around the centre spokes to create a spiral – take the thread over and then under the spoke behind where it came out- pull through – then take the thread under the next spoke, back over that spoke and under along to the next spoke. (You are just wrapping the thread around the spokes as you go).
I went around 3 times and was happy with the way it looked so left it at that and took the thread to the back and secured off.
Your Catherine Wheel is complete…
I am loving the way the sampler is looking so far – hopefully you are too. This should be a really nice reference piece when you are done and hopefully you will be inspired to use some stitches you may not have previously thought of in future designs.
As always, I would love for you to share your progress in the Happy Stitching FB Group or send me a pic and I’ll add it here.
Happy Stitching!
Want to remember this? Post this tutorial to your favourite Pinterest board!
