What are Stitchers Worksheets?
The stitch file worksheets are printable template pages which are designed by me to build into a hand embroiderer’s resource file. The worksheets are part stitch dictionary, part inspiration, part storage format, part stimulus to explore new stitches, part lesson and part organisation method.
I am steadily releasing modules of worksheets to share the stitches and their varieties I have collected over 30 years.
Each worksheet features:
The first thing people will notice is that the worksheets have the stitch name running down the side of the page.
I have placed the name of the stitch down the side, so when looking for a stitch you can simply flick along the edge of the pages. If you have ever looked through a large full binder file, and had to open each page to see the title of the page you will know it is annoying particularly if the file is heavy. The stitch name running down the side of the page solves this problem.
The worksheets are named by stitch and by stitch family so people can file by either. The choice is yours.
A small picture of each stitch is in the top right hand corner of each worksheet.
How many times can you remember what a stitch looks like but have forgotten the name? These little icons aim to solve that problem as you can flick through the pictures in the top right hand corner and recognise the stitch you are looking for.
Illustrated step by step directions:
Each stitch has illustrated directions on how to work the stitch.
On the same page, is a space for you to attach a sample, add notes and a record of fabric, thread and needle used.
Eye Candy for Stitchers!
Each stitch file has samples of the stitch used in differnt ways.
These images are otherwise known as stitchers eye candy. The illustrations aim to make you think about what is possible with that stitch.
This is a teaser as it is one of the samples I have worked for the stitch worksheets.
Space for extra Samples
Each stitch file has the options for pages that have two or three areas for extra samples. People can choose which fits the size of their sample best and print the page that suits them and thier resource file.
Space for further notes
Also the worksheets have a section to store photos and note the source of who stitched it. Many of us make up our own ‘inspiration’ file of images found online. So that you dont forget to record where you saw it and whose work it is, this section enables people to track the sources of your inspiration. Once again there are different pages options to print out what you need.
A Grid to sketch out further ideas
Finally there is a grid page as place to sketch out ideas or make further notes.
Choice is the Key
People can print out just the pages they want. They can attach their samples and either use a hole punch or keep their resource file in plastic file pockets.
The Modular Format
The stitch worksheets are offered as a series of reasonably priced modules. This means that people do not have to commit to a huge amount of money, or feel to daunted to start their own sample file. For many the idea of stitching samples for the whole amount would send them running for the hills.
Anyone who has done the TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday) challenge will know that it is the bit by bit process that can be steadily built on that produces results.
The modular nature of the worksheets can leverage the psychology behind learning something in a series of small manageable chuncks and produce a positive enhancement to learning hand embroidery.
The combination of the eye candy, a place for people to store their own experiments, to store photos and maker further notes means as they build they become is a valuable resource file and become more valuable the more you build. A bit like life, the more you put in the more you will get out of it.
By releasing them in modules if someone tires, wants a break, or if life gets too busy, they have not lost a lot of money or have a huge unfinished thing to feel guilty about. If people need to take a break they can as they can just buy the next module when they want to and join back in.
Test for free
You can test the worksheets, work a few samples and see if this process suits you.
Please note: There are two versions one is A4 size and the other is US letter size.
These files are in PDF format and you will need Adobe reader to view them. The PDF reader is free from Adobe you can get it from here
Module 1 contains
- Back Stitch
- Buttonhole Stitch
- Herringbone Stitch
Download A4 Module 1 free
Download US letter Module 1 free
Module 2 contains
- Chevron Stitch
- Cretan Stitch
- Couching Stitch
Download A4 module 2 free
Download US letter module 2 free
Module 3 contains
- Chain Stitch
- Detached Chain Stitch
- Fly Stitch
Download A4 module 3 free
Download US letter module 3 free
Module 4 contains
- Feather Stitch
- Running Stitch
- Stem Stitch
Download A4 module 4 free
Download US Letter module 4 free
Where are the other worksheets for hand embroiderers?
Other stuff
How have I attached my samples to my worksheets?
I have used Mistyfuse. Mistyfuse is an iron on fusable webbing with an adhesive that will be better in the long term than double sided tape.
I simply followed the instructions and it worked fine. My only advice is to turn off the steam function as many bubble jet printers are not waterproof and steam can make your paper buckle.
I placed the sample on the page and touched it gently with the iron to position it and then I turned the page and gently ironed from the back so I was not pressing the front of the embroidery.
Is there a stitch along?
Stitchin fingers has a stitch along group called stitch junkies. The stitch along is a join in as you can, and as life dictates activity with no strict deadlines or dates to meet. People do not have to work fresh samples as it is OK to incorporate past samples. If you are busy and want to swing in and out of the stitch along as life dictates that is fine. I aim to keep it a guilt free activity.
There is also a Stitch Junkies Flickr group where people are sharing pictures of their samples and worksheets.
what kind of cloth are you using for the samples? thread?
needle? thanks, terry
Terry you can use any sort of fabric needle and thread as these worksheets are about testing the stitch- try some of the free ones and you will see what they are
how to download many stitches desinges books and vedioes plz answers free
Can you please help me?
I can’t download the 4 file. It gives me
error page.
Thank you Hanneke
sorry – The link should work now Hanneke
I think this is a very interesting idea. Thirty years! What an amazing thing to share. I look forward to working with you over the next thirty years.
Thank you for sharing these files, they are really appreciated.
Thank you for these free stitch guides, I’m very excited to try them out!
bonjour! je découvre votre site et je suis très intéressée!!!MAIS les explications seront-elles en français????est-ce-que les schémas sont suffisants pour comprendre???bonne journée et à bientôt
Sorry the worksheets are only available in Englsih
Muchas gracias por tu generosidad!!
Saludos desde buenos Aires.
Marta
Mil gracias por compartir. Agradezco infinitamente a ti a y todas las personas que generosamente comparten lo que saben para que otras aprendamos y disfrutemos de este maravilloso entrenimiento. Dios les bendiga grandemente.
thankyou – I am pleased you enjoy the site and worksheets
Thank you for the free resource pages. I look forward to doing my homework and rediscovering one of my favorite passions!!
I have just discovered your site and am blown away by it.Your creativity is amazing. I just love your samples, particularly the eye-candy in blues for a stitch module I think it was. Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Sharon, I happened upon your website and it is awesome! I am just beginning a quilt class at my church and I can’t wait to tell the other gals about your crazy quilt designs and worksheets…wow…thank you so much for sharing those as it will help us newbies get started!!! There are afew of us that want to tackle the crazy quilt once we get the basics under our belts. God bless you for sharing your talents and creativity with so many!!! Bless you and may we continue to follow you and learn more!!!
love your website! So informative and with beautiful stitching guides. The blue eye-candy is wonderful.
Just found your site as I was hopping from place to place and I am really glad I did. Have embroidered all my life and have quilted for the last 15 years but have just started down the crazy quilt path. Thank you so much for all the sharing you do. In this day and age when individuals seem to be out for what they can get, it is very refreshing to still find someone who is willing to give away. I was brought up to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and you obviously were too. I believe in Karma and you will get your rewards back a hundred fold. Thank you, once again, I will definitely be visiting often. Lynne
resonly i found this site..it is very usefull…new idea on work sheet …i love it
Hello Sharon, I love embroidery and your site and I appreciate the free modules, and I was wondering; will the first four modules be the only ones that are free? I am disabled and on a fixed income and cannot afford to be a paying customer at this time, but I LOVE your Stitch Worksheets, Friday Freebies, Take a Stitch Tuesdays and everything else here! Thanks are not enough, but thank you, Sharon, very much! ~ Dawn ~
Sorry Dawn yes they are the only modules that will be free. They take me a long to prepare.
Sharon , thanks for all the things I’ve learned from you. Now for the question. How many modules will be done to get them all?
I am not sure how many modules there will be as they are a way of me collating together material about stitches that I have collected over 30 years!
They started when I put out the first 4 modules free. They are a basic stitches and I was just going to do them and that was it but people wanted more (the whole stitch dictionary and “anything else I had!”) People were particularly interested in unusual stitches and varieties of stitches. So I am doing them bit by bit. I am pleased that all the information and research done is not lost. Hopefully they will be done before arthritis becomes too much of an issue! But how many will be done to be honest I dont know. As I release them I run a half price deal and people get more than a few hours enjoyment out of them.
Thank you for a wonderful site. Am now 56 yrs old and only now do I start embroidery. Am unemployed, so budget is close to zero. Using my late mother’s threads etc. Never learned from her, such a pitty. She made lovely stuff.
Thank you a million times over for your wonderful work. An inspiration to us all.
Pingback: So inspired! « Craft Nook…
I am the Newsletter Editor for North Shore Needle Arts in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. I would love to use one or two of your surface embroidery pictures in our Newsletter for October, with your address. Would that be allowed?
Thank you,
Susan Befus
I have emailed you Susan with permission.
Dear Sharon, how can Y buy this Stitchers Worksheets? I just love have one! If it is possible, how much does it cost? Thank you!
JACI
Jaci
links to modules 5,6 and 7 are on this page where it says “Where are the other worksheets for hand embroiderers?”
modules 1,2,3 and 4 are free and are also on this page
I just love the worksheets . Will definitely buy the rest . Your work is very inspirational .
Have prowled you site often, and now it is time to get serious. have downloaded your first 4 sets of worksheets as I think that will be enough of a challenge to start. Q. do you use aida cloth or a cross stitch type of cloth for your samples. If not what do you use. Thank you for some truly inspirational pieces.
Hi Bev I dropped you an email but I use what is to hand. Mainly it is linen but sometimes Aida. Much of the time it is scraps often off the edge of fabric used on my sampler. I happens because the sampler is a long strip and if the fabric piece was a square I often have a smaller strip down the side. I use them for samples or often the images are from my sampler itself of course.
Your worksheets are wonderful! The details provided, and the design of each page to maximize our choice in using them makes them such a versatile and valuable resource! Thank you for the substantial talent and work you’ve poured into this. It is much appreciated! I’ve downloaded the free sheets and will be back soon to purchase the others. I only wish I had taken the time to look at these earlier, but better late than never! Thanks again!
Thanks Barbara for you praise. I hope you enjoy them
I love these sheets, fantastic resource and free. I have also purchased the other sets as I think they are a brilliant idea.
Thanks for all your hard work Sharon
Thanks Again
Kathryn
Bordo y hago patch work y este trabajo me parece una maravilla como me inscribo a los cursos
I have enrolled in your class starting June 12, 2013, my only hope is that I will be able to download all instruction for the class as any of these (free) downloads I have not been able to receive. All I get is they are not available.
Sorry to hear you are having trouble. I have just had a friend check that they can get them ok and they had no trouble.
So try again as perhaps the server was busy when you tried.