Knitting with basic increases and decreases can transform from simplistic to intricate quickly. Once you learn how to create cables, give gansey sweaters featuring stripes or two-color designs a try.
Stitching allows textile artists to push the limits, express themselves freely and deliver powerful messages through stitching. Caren Garfen uses back stitch as a powerful drawing technique in her embroidered texts.
Cross Stitch
Cross stitch embroidery is one of the most beloved forms of needlework, using needle and floss to form patterns of small x-shaped stitches to form tiled designs in pictures or works of art. While other embroidery styles employ printed designs on fabric, counted cross stitch begins with an empty canvas and an outline, usually presented as a chart or graph, which acts as a map for its details and colors. You can begin with something simple such as one flower blossom before branching off to more complex designs.
Fabric often features a grid of holes printed on its reverse, enabling you to easily mark where stitches will be sewn. This grid size, known as its “count,” determines how many stitches per inch will be sewn – higher counts result in smaller stitches.
Most patterns provide a graph depicting their design, along with a “color key” or floss list to show which thread colors correspond with certain symbols on a graph. Some patterns even provide DMC thread brand codes so you can always locate what you need! When working from grid patterns, generally starting in the center and working outward is best; to locate this point fold fabric vertically and horizontally until two intersecting lines meet – that will mark where your fabric center should lie.
Once your first row is complete, place it in an embroidery hoop or frame to prevent fabric from flopping as it dries. You may also tuck the edges under stitched areas for added security.
Start your next row by counting the grid spaces between where you started and the beginning stitch in this row, then insert your needle in its corner at that location. Leave about an inch of thread behind so you can cover it later while stitching.
Couching
Couching is a hand embroidery stitch with both practical and aesthetic uses. In essence, couching consists of layering thick thread, cord, ribbon or wire on fabric before stitching over them with smaller thread in a different color for fastening purposes. Couching can also add texture and dimension to projects by attaching metallic threads that can be difficult to sew onto fabric as well as adding dimension with its added textured stitches.
Couching can be used to embellish garments, bags and home decor items with embellishment. This method works particularly well if the material you wish to incorporate is too heavy for traditional straight stitching to handle; additionally it’s an ideal technique for adding fine stems to applique projects and also works great when stitching curves which would otherwise prove challenging to stitching techniques.
Begin by drawing the outline of the line you would like to couch onto the fabric using either pencil or fabric marker. Next, secure it into a hoop so it will remain stable while making needle threading easier. Thread one needle with the surface thread that you will be using for your design while threading a second one with an accent thread – either lighter or darker depending on what look you’re going for.
Start from the top of your line and work your way down, stitching over the surface thread with small stitches. Beware not to tangle up your threads! It can be easy for contrasting threads to get mixed in with foundation threads when working with curves; take extra care not to do this!
Once finished, simply pull your thread through the back of your fabric and trim off its excess length. Make sure you leave a short tail so it can easily tuck itself behind your work, and trim away any extra thread from its surface thread if it becomes visible on your project front. Boucle or bobbly yarns work particularly well when creating this stitch to add texture and flair.
Back Stitch
If you’re into embroidery or just sewing, chances are at some point you will require back stitch. It is a strong hand-stitch that works great for creating outlines or adding details to your work; additionally it holds two pieces of fabric together creating strong seams; it also works great to add texture if working with thread that leaves its sheen upon completion.
Back stitch is easy and fast to learn, providing an ideal foundation stitch for more advanced stitches such as herringbone ladder filling stitch. However, as it sews backwards it’s essential that you mark your pattern beforehand with removable pen or chalk for maximum efficiency!
To create a back stitch, begin at point A as with running stitches, but bring up at B and take down at C before coming up at D and down at E; continue this pattern to complete your line of back stitches.
Note: To achieve a more uniform look, try making all your stitches the same length. This will create an orderly, seamless design. Likewise, ensure you work in an area with plenty of light so that you can see where your stitches are going; without proper lighting your stitches may end up too short or even snag on other stitches!
Once you’ve mastered the basic back stitch, try variations like whipped back stitch. This pretty rope-like stitch can give your stitch a lovely, textured appearance and can even help outline shapes or add lettering! Although initially difficult, once mastered it will look stunning! Just be sure to change thread frequently since its twist will wear faster.
Straight Stitch
Straight stitch is an embroidery stitch used for straight line embroidering. It serves as the basis for other basic stitches such as running stitch, seed stitch and backstitch; and it makes an excellent way of outlining elements or providing fill in your work – this makes it the go-to stitch in TSK kits for embroidering the Raccoon’s needle (shown below).
Straight stitch is a versatile and straightforward stitch, which you can use to sew any length of lines. Shorter stitches resemble dashed lines and work great for stitching outlines or fill, while longer straight stitches provide structure and support to designs. Furthermore, it serves as the basis of other decorative stitches like narrow zig-zag stitch; its flexible nature means it stretches with knit fabrics without breaking under their stretch – perfect for joining elastic to cloth or even patching holes!
As you experiment with these basic sewing techniques, you will quickly realize there are endless ways you can personalize them to fit your individual style. From creating running stitches with short straight stitch rows in a row to stitching scattered patterns like fur on an animal body – Megan of Studio MME excels at this technique which gives her pieces an artistic sketched appearance.
Use a triple straight stitch, created by stitching two forward and one backward, for stronger seams or places where stitches stand out more prominently, such as armcyes or crutch seams.
Learning essential embroidery stitches is easiest with a book and reading through it step-by-step, no matter if you prefer in-person workshops or classes; our books offer comprehensive resources with tips, tricks, photos and illustrated explanations – they’re essential reading material for every fiber artist!