For Take a Stitch Tuesday —TAST Week 14 — the challenge is to learn and experiment with Herringbone Stitch.
Herringbone stitch is another of those key stitches that many people first learn when they are new to hand embroidery. I hope those readers who are attempting this stitch for the first time enjoy it and discover its versatility. There is so much you can do with it.
Try working Herringbone stitch in different threads, or on different fabrics. Play with the spacing of the cross working the parts closely together, or work them further apart, or add beads! You can work the stitch back to back and change the height of the stitches to create interesting patterns but as I say, see the Herringbone stitch instruction page for more ideas.
Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST) Week 14 Beyond TAST
For Beyond TAST I propose that readers explore Herringbone Square. Actually, I am throwing two stitches together this week, because if you follow the link to the tutorial, there are also instructions for Laced Herringbone Square Stitch too. Lacing any stitch is always interesting. Try experimenting with threads as the lacing process does not involve passing the needle through the fabric. This frees you up to try all sorts of thicker threads for the second stage of the stitch. I think it makes for an interesting little motif. You can repeat it along a line or arrange it in a pattern. Have fun with them both as they are an interesting variation. Try to take a simple well-known stitch and arrange it in a square, you have a whole different look and feel.
If you are new to hand embroidery the challenge is to learn the stitch and share what you have learned. If you are an experienced embroiderer, enjoy Beyond TAST and give your work a modern twist. And of course, share it online so beginners can see what can be done with a little imagination.
If you are looking for past TAST stitch challenges the archives are in the Take a Stitch Tuesday category
Where to Share
So the idea is to stitch a sample, photograph it, share it in the Take a Stitch Tuesday facebook group, or use the hashtags #TASTembroidery and #PintangleTAST on Instagram.
If you need more information the challenge guidelines are on the TAST FAQ page.
Happy Stitching!
Follow Pintangle and have it delivered to your inbox
You can have Pintangle delivered to your inbox — In the side bar use the Subscribe to Pintangle box or If you are on a mobile scroll to the bottom the of the page to find the Subscribe to Pintangle option. In either case type in your email address and click on the Subscribe button below. Then check your email inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to confirm your subscription. If you don’t see a confirmation email, check your spam folder — sometimes the computer puts it there.
My New Book: Creative Stitches Volume 2 — Now Available for Preorder
Explore a further 114 often-used hand embroidery stitches with clear, step-by-step photos, and practical, straightforward instructions for both left and right-handed stitchers! Try out inventive techniques, and gain confidence to play with stitches. Experiment with stitches and apply them to your own contemporary designs. My book is perfect for anyone who loves hand embroidery, crazy quilting, or slow stitching. And I have included loads of photos to inspire your creative journey.
Now available for pre-order 🙂
