There are a number of stitches that are called Thorn Stitch for instance there is another thorn stitch used in Mountmellick embroidery but this is not it. They both just happen to have the same names. This version of Thorn stitch is a quick easy variety.
If you look at this stitch- it is actually a type of couched stitch which means you can use all sorts of threads for the central stem. It looks particularly effective in flower sprays, underwater seaweed scenes and the like. If you use novelty threads that are hairy or textured and combine it with beads you can have even more fun.
Thorn stitch can be arranged like a tree as in the photograph. Work the crossed bars closer together to create an easy fir tree (for the Christmas or Holiday season) You can also use the stitch as a couching technique and attach long threads to a piece of work. You can work the crossed stitches either evenly across the couching thread or graduating the size from small to large. Or you can make one side of the stitch larger than the other. This is very effective if you swing the stitch in a circle. Thorn Stitch is simple to work and extremely versatile. The more you experiment with it the more you will realise what can be done.
How to Work Thorn Stitch
First create a long single straight stitch.
Working from top to bottom bring your needle out on the left hand side of the straight stitch a little to one side.
Take the thread diagonally across the straight stitch and insert it to the right of the straight stitch and bring the needle out on the left. Take the thread across and insert it to the right as illustrated in the photograph. The stitch is a bit like half a Herringbone stitch.
Work down the straight stitch making the stitches larger as you go.
I hope you enjoy Thorn Stitch
Have you seen my book?
My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results
Topics such as fabric choice, tricky challenges like balancing colour, texture and pattern, and how to create movement to direct your viewers eye around the block are topics covered in detail. I also explain how to stitch and build decorative seam treatments in interesting and creative ways.
My book is profusely illustrated as my aim is to be practical and inspiring.
Stitchers templates
My templates aim to help you take your stitching to the next level. Designed by an embroiderer for embroiderers. With them you can create hundreds of different hand embroidery patterns to embellish with flair. These templates are easy to use, made of clear plastic so you can position them easily and are compact in your sewing box.
These are simple to use. You simply position the template in place and use a quilter’s pencil to trace along the edge of the template. Stitch along this line to decorate the seam. I have a free ebook of patterns to accompany each set which illustrates how they can be used.
TO ORDER your Stitchers Templates
Crazy Quilt Templates set 1 you will find here
Crazy Quilt Templates set 2 you will find here
So this technique is mostly used for like plants and trees?
You can use it for anything you want but it works well on plants
You can see my sample at
http://aufildujardin.blogspot.com/2007/12/postcards-etc.html (at the end of the post)
or at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/verobirdie/2079581809/
Here’s my Thorn stitch sample http://faffingabout.blogspot.com/2007/11/tast-thorn-stitch.html
Oh dear, i commented and then lost it. enough to say I have done my thorn stitch and it is on my blog
http://backvalleyseasons.blogspot.com
thanks for all you have done Sharon, I have enjoyed the weekly challenge and all you have done for us, when I finish it will all go into a book of samples.
Hi Sharon, I’ve posted both the Chain Braid Stitch and the Thorn Stitch on my blog. I really had problems with the braid stitch but thoroughly enjoyed the thorn stitch. You can see them here:
http://normasneedlez.blogspot.com
Thorn stitch added to blog http://alteringthoughts.blogspot.com/
Seasons Greetings to all. Can’t believe the year has nearly gone.
I saw your challenge idea on another blog and I am very interested. Seeing as global issues are very tpocal at the moment what about using the four earth elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water as a theme either by colour or stitch limitation?
I like the idea of a monthly design challenge. I was unable to keep up with TAST this year due to packing up the house and preparing to move. A month time frame would be great. As far as the details, I would go with the flow, but would probably keep mine to crazyquilting and coordinate them somehow so at the end of the year I might have a small throw for myself & posterity.
Hi , I have my tast stitch from this week on my blog. It was an easy one, but fun !
I would like a monthly challenge –
theme: season, word, emotion, etc.
or colour: hue, pastel, related, compliments
or design feature: straight/curved/circles/repeated shapes etc.
I think a monthly challenge is needed if we are to do anything worthwhile. We have spent a year learning the stitches (tools) and now we need to explore what we can do with them.
Many of us have played ‘catch up’ this year and I’m sure that will happen next year as well.
and … thanks Sharon your energy and enthusiam are contageous!
Hi Sharon
TAST has become a part of my life. Sorry I haven’t been posting lately – my camera died, but I am still going, while I decide on a replacement.
I would love to take part in another challenge. The design one sounds great, so I can keep using my TAST stitches and maybe start to explore more of what they can do. Weekly would be good for momentum – or weekly/fornightly updates on a monthly challenge.
I really like Christines idea about incorporating TAST in next years challenge. I was a bit miffed I only discovered you in week 44! Her idea may also address the weekly vs monthly issue -four weeks of stitches to incorporate into a month long project!
I think that a challenge monthly based on the previous year TASTs would complete and expand on work previously done. How about taking all the TAST from January, a theme and then creating a design for that theme using any or all of the stitches as the primary stitchwork for that month-Same with February, March, etc.
I think participants would probably need to fix on a particular project form whether that be a journal, quilt, ATC, but all could use the same groups of stitches and themes.
I had intended to follow and do all of TAST this year, but I suffer from ‘lack of follow through’ disorder!
Hi Sharon, you said on Week 46
Does this go with the song “you always hurt the one you love”? don’t curse me too much, I really love you all
I have added weeks 46 and 47 and need a rest now.
Maureen
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
Hi Sharon,
What an interesting topic, thanks for bringing it up. Comments are the lifeblood of a blogging community. For instance, I belong in the stitching/blogging community like the one you have mentioned here. Some people are so involved that they get a multitude of comments, others are more to themselves and get a few comments. This aspect can motivate involvement. No matter which group one is in, they prefer more comments than less. I am fortunate because it is rare that anyone ever leaves any kind of negative comments, the idea is like the old saying: “if you can’t say something nice…” I have a numerous amount of blogs in my google reader that I follow and when they have something in a post that inspires me to comment, this is when I comment. I don’t feel like I should be required to comment on issues that I am not feeling something about but it is a balancing act. This is because whenever people leave a comment on my blog, I truly want to return the kindness and I almost always do. If it is a new to me blog, I immediately add them to my reader and check out their blog. I have left many comments on other’s blogs and some have never returned the favor, I frown on this because it just seems inconsiderate. As for replying to comments left, I try not to leave them in the same post comments because the person who left it may not return to read the follow up. I will usually go to their blog and within the comment I am leaving for their post, I will add my thoughts on their comment that was left for me. If possible and I have a lengthy reply I will e-mail them, especially if it is something heartfelt. Whenever I have left a lengthy heartfelt comment for someone else they usually reply in kind (I have my e-mail available for anyone wanting to get in depth as well)but not always, those cases are somewhat disappointing. I have made some good blogging friends this way as we can e-mail back and forth after the initial ‘meet and greet’ and get to know one another on a more personal level. I hope this response helps in the research you are doing on this subject and again thanks for the interesting and well thought out topic.
Hi Sharon
My week 47 sample is up on my blog and it is my version of Corin Forest before the bushfires.
Thanks for giving us an easy one this week.
Doreen
http://doreeng.blogspot.com/
My choice would be for a design challenge each week. I love your blog and all the ideas I can find from what you share with us. Thank you for the time you spend with us.
Domi from Paris, France
My choice would be for a design challenge each week.
Domi from Paris, France
I like the design idea it will give us a chance to use all the wonderfull stitches we have learned this year. Whatever you decide I will be enjoying . Thank you so much for sharing . I read your blog daily and can hardly wait for the next.
Thanks,
Carol
I’d love a design challenge based around embellishment/stitching. I need some incentive to get out of my own box and try things I haven’t thought of myself. 😉