Category Archives: Challenges

Work in Progress Wednesday Block 35 started

  By sharonb | May 22, 2013 - 5:48 am | ,
3 Comments

crazy quilt block 35 startedI have started block 35 in the lace crazy quilt. As you can see I have added a corner of serviette.

You will find all the other blocks in this series the Lace Quilt category

Join in Work in Progress Wednesdays and leave a comment

If you have made progress on a large project leave a comment with a link to your site. If you include the http bit of your web address in the comment it will become a link and folks can visit and see what you have done.

The idea behind Work in Progress Wednesdays (WIP Wednesdays) is to encourage people to complete large and/or languishing projects. So if you are in the process of working a large project, share your progress via a blog or public photo site like flickr.

The theory is, that if you regularly report publicly on a project you are more likely to pick it up and work it a little. Even if it means the project is out and ‘looking at you’ for most stitchers it means they will work it a little.

If you want to know more about Work in Progress Wednesdays visit the FAQ

All my Work in Progress Wednesday reports are under that category.

Take a Stitch Tuesday Stitch 67 Fancy Hem Stitch

  By sharonb | May 21, 2013 - 5:51 am |
5 Comments

Fancy Hem Stitch is a simple quick stitch which I think people will enjoy. Crazy quilters I am sure will see immediately how useful it can be. Embroiderers will enjoy it not only in use on edgings but also work row upon row as a filling stitch.

I first discovered this stitch in a Batsford book called Embroidery Stitches by Anne Butler.

fancy hem stitch needlework sample 1The foundation rows are the same hand movement as large stem stitches which are loosely worked and then laced. Fancy hem stitch really comes into its own when you experiment and change threads. It looks great in a thread with a firm twist or a fine braid or even a ribbon. Beads also can be added for extra zest.

fancy hem stitch needlework sample 2

How to work Fancy Hem Stitch

Work the foundation stitches in a loose manner because when they are laced they pull tight. If keeping your tension even is a problem use an embroidery hoop.

fancy hem stitch step 1The first row is worked from left to right. Bring your needle from the back of the fabric. Make a long stitch, point the needle into the fabric, and bring it out a little along the line to make a small back stitch as illustrated. Take the needle through to create the first stitch.

fancy hem stitch step 2Pull the thread through the fabric. Make the second long stitch forward, along the line.

fancy hem stitch step 3Keep the thread to the same side of the needle with each stitch while you repeat this back and forth movement along the line.

fancy hem stitch step 4At the end of the line take your needle through the fabric. Turn your work.

fancy hem stitch step 5Work the second line of stitches. You should have two lines of loose stitches.

fancy hem stitch step 6Work from left to right. Bring the thread through the fabric in the middle of the two lines of stitching  as illustrated

fancy hem stitch step 7From this stage on you are not taking the thread through the fabric when you are wrapping the stitches. Wrap the two stitches together with 3 wraps of the loops as illustrated.

fancy hem stitch step 7Take your thread to the back and bring the needle up through the fabric at the next loop, in between the two lines of stitching  as illustrated.

fancy hem stitch step 9Repeat this wrapping process until you have reached the end of the line.

fancy hem stitch step 10How to join in

It is not complicated. All you need to do is stitch a sample of this stitch or ANY of the stitches listed on the TAST FAQ page.

Once you have worked a sample,  photograph it and put it online at your blog, flickr etc then swing back to the Last TAST post (you will find it under the category each week)   and leave a comment that includes  your web address. When you leave a comment include the http:// part of the address as then your address becomes a link and readers will be able easily visit and see your sample. Remember you can leave a comment about any stitch you have worked as long as it is listed on the TAST FAQ page.

Any special rules?

There are no rules but I do have a request, please link back here.

Further information

If you need further information on the challenge a list of stitches covered so far or directions on how to participate please visit the TAST FAQ page.

You can read back through TAST articles by browsing Challenges -  Take a Stitch Tuesday category

Other groups and networks

You can also share your explorations with other members on the social network site of your choice. There is a Facebook TAST 2012 page,   stitchin fingers group and the flickr TAST site. All these sub groups are set up at request of members


Work in Progress Wednesday Block 34 done

  By sharonb | May 15, 2013 - 5:42 am | ,
10 Comments

Crazy quilt block 34Life has been busy but at least I have managed to complete this block this week. So I can declare that

I have completed block 34 for my next crazy quilt.

As usual if click on the block you can  see a larger version and I have a few details of the stitching to share as well. I hope readers enjoy seeing what I have done.

Crazy quilt block 34 detail

You will find all the other blocks in this series the Lace Quilt category

Crazy quilt block 34 detailJoin in Work in Progress Wednesdays and leave a comment

If you have made progress on a large project leave a comment with a link to your site. If you include the http bit of your web address in the comment it will become a link and folks can visit and see what you have done.

The idea behind Work in Progress Wednesdays (WIP Wednesdays) is to encourage people to complete large and/or languishing projects. So if you are in the process of working a large project, share your progress via a blog or public photo site like flickr.

The theory is, that if you regularly report publicly on a project you are more likely to pick it up and work it a little. Even if it means the project is out and ‘looking at you’ for most stitchers it means they will work it a little.

If you want to know more about Work in Progress Wednesdays visit the FAQ

All my Work in Progress Wednesday reports are under that category.

Take a Stitch Tuesday Stitch 66 Coral stitch

  By sharonb | May 14, 2013 - 6:06 am | ,
13 Comments

This week I have an easy quick stitch which I hope people will enjoy. Coral stitch is also known as coral knot, German knot stitch, knotted stitch, beaded stitch, and snail trail. It is also incorrectly known as scroll stitch which we looked at in TAST week 63. If you compare the two stitches you will see the needle is wrapped in a different manner producing a different look to the line.

Coral stitch is an old embroidery stitch which creates a line that looks like a row of knots and is used for outlines as it follows a curved detail well.

It is also a very useful stitch for twiggy bits in a floral design. If you work it in a very precise manner with knot spaced at exact intervals coral stitch can also be used to create a knotted filling with the knots forming a secondary pattern across the filling.

How to work Coral Stitch 

Coral stitch is worked from right to left. To work bring the thread up from the back of the fabric and hold it loosely on the surface of the fabric with your thumb.

Insert the needle at a slight right angle, above the line to be worked and bring it out just below the line to be worked and under the fabric that is laid flat to the fabric. Wrap the thread under the needle as illustrated.

Coral stitch step 1

Pull the needle through the fabric  to form a knot.

Coral stitch step 2Continue in this manner along the line.

Coral stitch step 3

Coral stitch can be varied by altering the angle of the needle as it passes through the fabric. Some people work this stitch with the needle entering the fabric in a vertical position as it passes through the fabric. This will produce a tighter knot.  By altering the spacing of the knots along the row the stitch can appear to be different.

The effect created is also altered by the weight and twist of the thread used. This sample was worked using perle # 5 cotton however experiment with threads as this stitch looks good worked in thicker threads or even a fine ribbon.

How to join in

It is not complicated. All you need to do is stitch a sample of this stitch or ANY of the stitches listed on the TAST FAQ page.

Once you have worked a sample,  photograph it and put it online at your blog, flickr etc then swing back to the Last TAST post (you will find it under the category each week)   and leave a comment that includes  your web address. When you leave a comment include the http:// part of the address as then your address becomes a link and readers will be able easily visit and see your sample. Remember you can leave a comment about any stitch you have worked as long as it is listed on the TAST FAQ page.

Any special rules?

There are no rules but I do have a request, please link back here.

Further information

If you need further information on the challenge a list of stitches covered so far or directions on how to participate please visit the TAST FAQ page.

You can read back through TAST articles by browsing Challenges -  Take a Stitch Tuesday category

Other groups and networks

You can also share your explorations with other members on the social network site of your choice. There is a Facebook TAST 2012 page,   stitchin fingers group and the flickr TAST site. All these sub groups are set up at request of members