NOTE - I am breaking these tutorials down to the basics (or trying to) as we have many stitchers who will be stitching these speciality stitches and reading this type of chart for the first time. Please remember that guiding others is also a first for me and as a Dyslexic it is quite a challenge explaining in the written form.
This week we are looking at the SIXTH BAND of SECTION 1.
The stitches used in this band are – faggot, satin, double running and eyelet
Let us look at the petal that makes up the flower motif that recurs throughout this band either as a full flower or a half flower. It is stitched in satin stitch.
Today we will be practicing the half flower on our doodle cloths. In the diagram below the figure to the left is one petal and each square represents two threads.
In the figure to the right each square represents ONE thread and the red verticallines represent each stitch.
Following this stitch path with one pass will create this shape and is made up of thirteen stitches – see numbers in red (right diagram above).
NICOLA’S TIP – when I stitch motifs in satin stitch I find it easier to count numbers that relate to the squares on the chart – with this motif whilst we stitch 13 stitches (right diagram above) we are covering 7 square (left diagram above) on our chart.
So that I know where I am I count in halves – see numbering in black (right diagram above). So for example when I make the sixth stitch I know I have covered 3 squares – 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.
I will stitch the half flower motif in the following way.
I start with a pin stitch.
Then start my stitches which will cover the pin stitch.
Here the thirteen stitches have been stitched and formed a petal shape. You may like the coverage of a single pass but I prefer the fuller effect and so will make a second pass reversing my stitch path.
My needle and thread are now back at the first stitch where I began and my petal looks full without any padding.
I will now stitch the next thirteen stitches to form the second petal.
Then for the fuller coverage I reverse stitch the second petal.
Before I stitch the next pair of petals I will stitch the flower stamen in double runningstitch.
NOTE – count carefully as there are two stitches made over one thread not two. Can you spot them? Look at your chart and then the stamen I have stitched.
I will then work back along the curly bit to the top of the stamen stem and work the next curly bit.
Now I reverse stitch the second curly bit and down the stamen.
Next I stitch the second set of petals in the same manner as the first set.
If you have followed my stitch path and turn your work over the back of your motif/fabric will look like this.
POINT OF INTEREST - For anyone interested in hardanger the petals are a commonly used motif and this shows how you can stitch table cloths and doilies where the front and back look equally as good.
The petals of this flower have been stitched with an alternative stitch path. Whilst covering the same threads/squares it creates a different effect. You should use the one that appeals the most to you.
In this band the flower motifs are surround by diamond shapes stitched in faggotstitch on the diagonal.
It is IMPORTANT that you follow the stitch path. You come UP on the ODD number and DOWN on the EVEN number
I have tried to demonstrate the different effect you can achieve with faggot stitch by applying different tensions. The left is normal stitching tension and the right is with a tighter tension.
I will work the half diamond shape from the left to the right and then return from the right to the left – following the stitch path shown in the earlier diagram.
Note the different effects created just by applying tension. You should choose the one that appeals the most to you.
This is the back of the motif/fabric.
TIP – Apply tension by pulling the thread with your fingers not by tugging on your needle as your thread will quickly break.
Next week we will look at the other satin stitched motifs that appear in this band and how the eyelet stitch is used.