Butterflies and Stitch Samples

 Yesterday, one of my Machine Embroidery students, Barbara, brought in her folder of samples from the first two lessons. 

She has taken to machine embroidery so well and has given me permission to share her work here. 

From her first free motion embroidery sample, and through using colour and stitch she has made wonderful start to her machine embroidery. 

Her applique samples show good use of colour and stitch, and will be an invaluable resource for her future work.  

She also inspired me to get on and start cataloguing the stitches of my Brother Innovis sewing machine.

This is a job I have intended to do for ages and have now made a start. I encourage my students to do this but hadn't done it myself, now is the time to remedy this failing. 

I find that once I have started something there is a chance it will get done. These are the first two samplers and I haven't started on the decorative stitch setting yet. What I have learnt is that the stitches are not exactly like the diagrams. Much more variation is possible with by altering the stitch width and length and that will be yet another sampler. 

I now need to move away from the computer and get back to my machine. 

I hope you have enjoyed Barbara's work too

Bev

Going Underground

 I don't know what it is because there is no way that I would go pot holing, but I love visiting caves. One year in France our whole holiday seemed to be underground. Influenced by the cave art I made a  'cave painting'  in  felt and machine embroidery.

 My fascination with caves is still going strong and I take pictures whenever I can.

This was taken on a holiday in Derbyshire and has been used for several projects. Most recently I have been exploring textures and stitch.

I have isolated small areas and interpreted them in stitch. By concentrating on one stitch, different  threads and overlapping the stitches I am building up layers and textures.

From the one picture there are many areas of different textures and colour combinations. Lots to still go at and lots of stitches to explore.

Happy stitching

Bev

A Doodle Day

I decided to explore my sewing machines programmed stitches and colour combinations. 

I was pleased with this sample which has a flow and the use of the cross stitch type stitch added contrast.

Straight and zigzag free motion embroidery in a warm colour scheme gave grids and texture to this sample. When free motion stitching I use a hoop but the stitches will still produce some fabric distortion. I only use straight and zig-zag stitches as the programmed stitches require the feed teeth to guide the patterns. In free motion stitching I am creating the patterns and moving the fabric. 

This sample is only using straight stitches. I thought I would create a fire effect as they were fire colours. Stitching in one direction produces even more distortion of the fabric even when held in a hoop.

Although free motion stitching can be used to create depth and texture in this last sample I have just doodled. 

Remember when sewing keep your shoulders and arms relaxed, and take regular breaks.

Ensure you have good lighting and that the machine is at the correct height.

Happy Stitching

Bev

Chain Stitch Sampler

For the Hand Embroidery City & Guilds course I have been working on stitch samples.

I posted an earlier one -  the Isolated Stitch Sampler

This is a sampler for what I call a stitch family - The Chain Stitch Sampler
Again I used stranded cotton and perle threads on a cotton background.

Stitches used from top left corner to bottom right

Detached chain stitch ( daisy stitch)

Heavy chain stitch

Chequered chain stitch

Twisted chain stitch

Whipped chain stitch

Back stitched chain stitch

Chain stitch

Happy Stitching 

Bev

Isolated Stitch Sampler

I have been sampling isolated stitches using stranded cotton and perle threads on a cotton background. I chose a warm colour scheme with red orange and violet threads on a yellow ground. 

It was interesting to work the stitches on this closely woven cotton fabric as there were no holes to guide the stitching, leading to the stitches varying in size and overall shape.  A more even look would have been achieved by using an evenweave fabric.

Stitches used

Straight Stitch

Spaced Cross Stitch

Fly Stitch

Reversed Fly Stitch

Double Fly Stitch                

Detached Wheatear Stitch

Detached Chain Stitch
( Daisy Stitch)

Sheaf Stitch

Happy stitching

Bev