TDiTM Stitch #139

This would be a great stitch for any block...but it reminds me of snowflakes. So, I think it would be really effective on a winter block...done in metallics!

TDiTM Stitch #138

This is a very simple feather stitch seam...but very lovely! This would also make great "seaweed" in an Under The Sea style block...of course, it would be vertical then! LOL!

TDiTM Stitch #137

Here's the second of the feather stitch base seams...this time, let's add some detached chain stitches and beads!

TDiTM Stitch #136

Feather stitch is one of my favorite stitches to use...and you've seen it a lot on any Under the Sea style of crazy quilt patch. Just about any sort of button, bead, sequin, or even straight stitches can be added to dress it up!

The straight stitches on the red fabric don't show very well...guess I should have used yellow there!

TDiTM Stitch #135

This is the last little Cretan stitch. The photo is not as clear as I'd like, but the chart is very simple so I know you'll do just fine!

The only thing to watch out for...is stitch the Cretan long enough to give you room for the triple lazy daisy stitches.

TDiTM Stitch #134

Here is the next little cretan seam...hope you enjoy it! The little swirls could be silk ribbon spider-web roses! Or, if you are in a hurry...substitute beads or sequins!...or buttons!

And, after stitching the button down...add beads to the center to jazz it up some! Even the "empty" cretan stitches could have smaller beads added to them...to change it up again!

TDiTM Stitch #133

 We are nearing the completion of the Twelve Dozen in Twelve Months challenge. At times, I have wondered if it was actually possible to get to 144 simple stitches...but now find that the finish line is coming up fast! So, in honor of this last dozen steps...let's get in a few stitches that have a different in base. These are also simple enough...but, not my first choice as a base...so, I am challenging myself in a few of these.

The Cretan stitch is familiar to lot's of folks...I know this because I see it used a lot by other stitcher's. However, I am still very uncomfortable with it. So, I rely heavily on my templates to keep the seam line neat and straight. In my mind...I think of this as a ladder. Not the kind you use around the house...but the ones seen sometimes on telephone poles...with the steps staggered instead of straight across. And so, I turn my seam so it is vertical to my body when I stitch it. I take little bites of the fabric with my needle always pointing to the center of my ladder...which causes me to change the direction of my needle. First it's pointing left, then it's pointing right, and then repeat. I always keep my thread in the center...and that causes it to get "captured" under the needle with each stitch...making this feel a bit like the blanket stitch as well.
Isn't it scary to see a glimpse inside my head! I'm sure I am the only person in the world that thinks like this! Thank goodness for the little dots to follow...or this would be one hot mess!

TDiTM Stitch #132

Buttons make a good embellishment when you have enough room for them. After stitching a couple of times...add some seed beads to hide your thread.

TDiTM Stitch #131

Next is another herringbone...with a little sequin magic!

TDiTM Stitch #130

This stitch continues the herringbone base stitch...and is simple to execute.

The templates help keep the stitch base straight and neat...although, I'm sure some of ya'll are much better at embroidery than me...and could do this without the templates. Perhaps, one day...I can too...but right now, they help me out immensely.

TDiTM Stitch #129

Simple, but effective. Add some flower beads or silk ribbon spiderweb roses above/below the lazy daisy trio...if it is stitched in green...for a very effective little garden row seam.

TDiTM Stitch #128

Starry, starry night!

The top row is done in metallic thread, and the bottom in bright teal.

TDiTM Stitch #127

Here's a mostly beaded stitch...

TDiTM Stitch #126

Here's another seam with only straight stitches. It is full, and I find it really pleasing even without any beads.

But, with some pearls at the bottom of the little arrows...or on the T-bar of the base stitch might be good too!

TDiTM Stitch #125

Check the side bar for a link to all previous TDiTM Combination Stitches.
It is a little unreal to begin 2011 still doing Twelve Dozen in Twelve Months combination stitches...but we are almost done, and that is an odd feeling too.

Stitch #125 is all straight stitches...it could be dressed up very easily by adding seed beads to the ends of all the rays.

TDiTM Stitch #124

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 This little seam is deceptively basic...but look how wonderful it is with metalics and different colors. Reminds me of springtime! And in this cold weather, that is a good thing!

Of course, you could also add the daisies to the opposite side to increase the depth of the stitch...but, sometimes you just need a simple little stitch (with a little bling of course)...that does not "intrude" on a neighboring patch....so, I've only make it one-sided.

TDiTM Stitch #123

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 This stitch begins our journey with the Chevron base stitch. The chevron base  and these little "stars" are part of the latest template. The design of this combination seam reminded me of little snowflakes...and would be great in metallic threads.

If you enlarge the star...you could also use it as a motif. Here it is stitch in metallic fiber...about 1 1/5 inches tall.

New Template...and a New Group Files

I have created a new template...and the next few stitches in TDiTM will use this one.

To make it...and the other templates (which I have re-drawn)...as easy to access as possible...I also started a Yahoo Group so you can access the files section there if you are a follower of my blog.

Go to Shawkl_Blog_Files Yahoo Group.  If the link is broken, you can go to Yahoo.com and search in the group for Shawkl_Blog_Files. You can request to become a member...(so I can see who is using the templates...and keep spammers from messing with the site) and I will approve your request.

After that...you can get the files and download them...no cost as usual! Just enjoy them!

Or, if you don't want to follow the blog or join another group...you can purchase the templates at my Studio. And, I'm also offering the set of completed template stencils on the Studio...yep, I will print them, cut them apart, and punch all the little holes out for you!!! But, my time is not cheap...LOL! It really is a great deal to get the patterns and do your own. Especially if you join the group...since they are free there!!

And, since the group site is created...if you want to share photos of your seams...feel free to post them. You are also welcome to ask me questions...and to post about the blog. I will try to add tutorials and such to the Group site as well.

I look forward to talking with you!

ETA: 06:15 AM....I don't know what I was thinking! Starting a group TODAY...when my grandkids are coming over for Christmas dinner! Yikes! Please be patient with me...I'll get back to this laptop just as often as I can to approve your memberships! Big Hugs to all of you!

TDiTM Stitch #122

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Very busy today...cleaning and baking...but here is the last of the double herringbone seam treatments for the blog. Next, we move on to....chevron base stitch. Tomorrow, I'll post some more info on the templates too!!

TDiTM Stitch #121

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

 Here's the next little double herringbone...are you getting tired of these yet? We have a few more...then we'll move to another base stitch. Want to guess which is next?

 Only 22 more stitches and we will have our Two Dozen in Twelve Months completed...even though it too longer. The proper name should have been Two Dozen in Two Years!!....but, life does happen...and mine is always Nuts!!  I bet yours is too!!