Embroidered Base Designs The construction of the fabric base will determine the overall design of the embroidery and embellishments. The fabric base can begin as a solid-color wholecloth base, a base with one or more printed fabrics, or a foundation strip- or crazy-pieced design.
Embellishment Extras
Once the base of the project is designed, pieces of trim, ribbon, bits of lace, or appliqués can be added for additional design opportunities. The embroidery can be worked on the edges or through the width of the trim or lace, with the same stitch or with different stitches.
Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing
Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing
If you would like a chance to win a free copy of the eBook of the Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing you can visit the following sites this week.
Embroidered Base Designs The construction of the fabric base will determine the overall design of the embroidery and embellishments. The fabric base can begin as a solid-color wholecloth base, a base with one or more printed fabrics, or a foundation strip- or crazy-pieced design.
Pieced Patterns
The embroidery Design on a pieced base can be worked on one or both sides of the seam or straddling the seam; the stitches can also be worked into the open spaces between seams. The length of the seam and the section of fabric between the adjacent seams will determine the size of the embroidered row and any additional stitched components.
Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing
Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing
If you would like a chance to win a free copy of the eBook of the Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing you can visit the following sites this week.
This wall hanging started with a simple strip-pieced design using two marbled fabrics and bleached muslin. The center square and third square were cut from the muslin, and were then entirely embroidered with decorative and details stitches. The second and fourth squares were cut from the two marbled fabrics, with each strip bordered with chain and French knot stitches. Vintage green sew-through beads were stitched along the border.
This piece started with the large linen leaf print. I chose Valdani perle cotton for the embroidery stitches because of the ombre and variegated colors. The printed fabric gave me so many opportunities to use a variety of embroidery stitches.
This wall hanging started with two different batik fabrics, the fuchsia and cream pin-stripe and the turquoise, pink and purple spotted dots. I used a series of circle shapes to embroider around, using almost all of the stitches that are shown in my Hand Embroidery Dictionary book. I used five different colors of the hand dyed cotton threads from Laura Wasilowski’s, Artfabrik store.
Embroidered Base Designs The construction of the fabric base will determine the overall design of the embroidery and embellishments. The fabric base can begin as a solid-color wholecloth base, a base with one or more printed fabrics, or a foundation strip- or crazy-pieced design.
Solid Fabrics
A wholecloth base offers endless possibilities for a design; this can be a solid color or a subtle batik. The embroidery pattern can be worked over a single template shape (such as a fan) or by repeating the motif (such as a circle) in various sizes from large to medium to small.
Make a Wish
Close-up of Psychedelic Balloons
If you would like a chance to win a free copy of the eBook of the Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing you can visit the following sites this week.
Lady Bird’s Bzzy Garden, and Lady Bird 2 by Christen Brown
I used the same printed fabrics for each of the above wall hangings. On the first I used black as an accent color. The border row stitches were all worked in black, with the decorative and detail stitches worked in the same colors as the fabrics. In the second piece I used cream as an accent color, including in a variety of cotton laces. The border row, decorative and detail stitches are all worked in different colors.
This small square was pieced with a few leftover squares from a Moda Charm pace, the rest of the squares were used in Paris Flea Market. I added two complementary fabrics to complete the nine-patch design and borders. The border row stitches were worked in one color of perle cotton #8 to straddle each seam. The decorative and detail stitches were worked in five colors of cotton floss, and two colors of seed beads. The color and stitch changed depending on which side of the border row they were stitched. I used three colors of glass buttons and charms and added brass buttons as an accent color.
The two wall hangings are versions of the Bouquet of Flowers, project A Feminine Fancies. The base of the black piece is silk, with vintage lace used for the frame. Vintage mother-of-pearl buttons were used for the flower centers and the encrusted frame, with lots of beaded embroidery stitches. The base of the second piece is pieced with a blue chambray fabric and a whimsical bee print. The vase and the frame are made with vintage lace, with vintage and new buttons for the flower centers, and floral frame. Vintage and new beads and charms were used for decoration.
Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing
Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing
Everything embroidery bundled into one helpful how-to guide! The book breaks down 500+ stitches from the basics for beginners to more complex designs for advanced stitchers.
Learn how to choose tools, threads, and embellishments
Basic stitch guides explain accurate placement to help you achieve the perfect stitch
Each stitch includes a stitched sample, instructions and in most cases illustrations
Learn how to change the position of the stitch and use the distance between points to change the look of the stitch
Tips and instructions for left-handed embroiderers
There are 16 groups of stitches which include straight, outline, knotted, woven, and whipped, lazy daisy, chain, barb, blanket and buttonhole, fly, feather, fleet, cretan, cross, herringbone, capped, chevron, and embellishment stitches.
Today we are going to cover cross and herringbone stitches.
Cross Stitches
These individual stitches can be used as a single stitch, combined to create a border row, or added to another stitch to create a larger component.
The basic stitch is formed by coming up at point A and going down at point B to create a straight line. The stitch is completed by coming up at point C and going down at point D, crossing over the previous stitch.
Herringbone Stitches
These continuous stitches can be used for a border row or to create a shape. After the stitch is formed, individual stitches can be added to the tips or around the base to create a larger design.
The basic stitch is formed by coming up at point A and then, in one motion, going down at point B and coming up at point C, forming a straight stitch. The stitch continues with point D, then back to point A. This stitch can also be worked in individual stab motions.
Artists and Samplers
I asked several friends to be involved in the Stitch Along Week posts. I selected 10 stitches and broke them into 5 groups. Each participant chose one group to work with, stitching a sampler or block in any colors or fibers that they wanted to work with.
Allison Aller, Artist, Author, Teacher
Allie Aller has been making quilts in many genres for 50 years, employing her college design education. She has published three books, won many national awards, taught on Craftsy, and appeared on The Quilt Show twice. Visit her blog to see the annual finishes she posts at the end of every calendar year.
My journey with fiber has led me to explore new mediums, learn new techniques, and meet many kindred spirits. My goal is to share my love of color, texture and fiber with others, whether through selling my work or sharing stories.
As part of this project, not only did I explore the two possibilities of two stitches but I chose to try different threads. The cross stitch sampler uses a variety of threads & color ways in the Painter’s Thread collection. And the herringbone sampler was done using an 8 wt Eleganza Thread Pack by WonderFil using a sample of variegated threads.
Stitches used: herringbone stitch twisted / repeat, herringbone stitch w/ French knot, herringbone with cross stitch, herringbone double stitch, herringbone with straight stitch details, random filling with overlapping threads
Threads: 8 wt Eleganza Perle cotton from WonderFil
Christen Brown, Artist, Author, Teacher
This small strip-pieced sample can be found in the book. The embroidery stitches were worked in a variety of herringbone and cross stitches, with French knot and straight stitch details. I used perle cotton #8 for all of the embroidery and to stitch the novelty buttons in place.
Hand Embroidery Dictionary by Christen Brown, C&T Publishing
Thank you to each of the participants of the Stitch Along Week! Everyone created a unique piece, that reflects their own style. I am so grateful to each and every one of these artists!
Christen's Creations 