TDiTM Stitch #72

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch continues the wrapped backstitch base…but uses a slightly wider base than the last two stitches used.

I encourage you to play around with different half circle or half oval shapes to find the best fit for your project.

Create a wrapped back stitch ‘spoke’ at the vertical position, horizontal right, horizontal left, and 45 degree left/right. Tuck a detached chain stitch between these lines using a different color of thread to ensure a clear definition of your stitches.

This is the half way stitch! Only 72 more to go and we’ll have our 144! Believe it or not…I have designed all the way to 101…and just need to get them stitched so photos can be taken! My goal is still the same, to finish all 144 in 12 months!..so, that means I’ll have to really pick up the pace! I have a glorious week of vacation planned in a few days…and am taking my design book and threads with me to stitch, stitch, stitch…

TDiTM Stitch #71

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

I’m getting a little more uniform with the wrapped stitch…so this one was fun. Of course, I had to use my favorite little “palm” of straight stitches! This time I added a horizontal little base at the bottom of each arch as well…and a little French knot to finish it off.

TDiTM Stitch #70

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch is made using a tissue paper technique we did for stitch #69 with two exceptions. First, reduce the width of the stitch ‘loop’ so the stitch is more of a series of half circles. Second, after you stitch a series of back stitches…remove the tissue…and wrap each stitch by sliding the needle (eye first) under each back stitch. Don’t pierce the fabric. This will effectively wrap the line of back stitches and create more texture.

The long vertical post and other posts that form the “star” are also back stitched and then wrapped. They can be drawn on the tissue and the entire design can be back stitched at once; or you can just estimate these lines after the base is completed.

Once you get uniform back stitches…and the feel for wrapping them…I think you’ll really like working this technique. I hope so, because we will be using it for the next dozen or so stitch treatments!

Hopefully, you'll be able to get your 'loops' more uniform than I did these!

Buttons, sequins, beads, and SRE or embroidery flowers would be cute inside of the loops too.

TDiTM Stitch #69

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch is made using a tissue paper technique. Draw the “loop” the depth and width you desire. Pin the paper to the seam line…and back stitch (as uniform as possible) to fill the line. Back stitches were also used to create the vertical long stitch.

The detached chain or lazy daisy stitches are slightly apart from the straight stitch. The space between all of these would be a great place for a pearl or crystal bead to rest.

Recent CQ Endeavor

I'm managed to do a little more CQ lately...in between all the other pulls on my time lately. These are two blocks to contribute to a replacement quilt for a family that lost a CQ family heirloom in a fire.

The gals at MAP/SAM are working them up...and these will be mailed out tomorrow.

TDiTM Stitch #68

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

It is still amazing to me that so many stitches can be made of such simple elements!

This stitch is the last of the chain arch stitch varieties. It is a balanced stitch that would not need any other adornments to be complete.

Next we will continue to work with half-circle bases…but will use a simple wrapped straight stitch as our method to construct the base instead of the chain stitch. However, any base can still be done with the chain if you desire.

TDiTM Stitch #67

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

The extended arches on this stitch would go a long way to fill in space. The cluster of straight stitches in the middle of the long vertical stitch reminds me of stars.

The addition of a star charm, bead, or perhaps a snowflake sequin under each archway would transform this simple stitch into a real gem!

TDiTM Stitch #66

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This stitch is very appealing to me.

I like that the little straight stitch ends the arch and the French knots add decoration. The lazy daisy helps to fill out the stitch.

An alternative for this stitch would be to add a vertical straight stitch before adding the little straight stitch to add length if you wanted to deepen the stitch more.

TDiTM Stitch #65

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Extending the “leg” of the arch with this straight stitch increases the depth of the stitch; and provides extra room under the arches for additional ribbon or bead work. An alternate to this could be to add more lazy daisy stitches around the French knot to have a full flower at the end of each arch.

Organization

Wow...that's a topic we could talk about all day!

But, just wanted to share one of my very favorite organization tools.....dresser drawers or bureaus...or whatever name you have for them.

I use several throughout my kitchen and sewing room. Since I live in a very tiny apartment...my sewing stuff is almost in every room!

Here's an old dresser that I just got from my sister, Rita...who does painted wood. I really liked the shallow drawers. At first, I thought it would be great for my laces...but then thought that perhaps I could finally get all the sizes of embroidery fibers and ribbons/trim organized.

Well, it isn't all in there...but the majority is!! ROFL...maybe I could get her to find a couple of more for me!

So, when you are thinking of organizing your sewing room...look for discount dressers! They are great for holding projects if the drawers are deep. They are super for holding supplies if the drawers are shallow. And, you can stack little clear containers on top for even more use!

Anyone else use dresser drawers to store their supplies?

Oh, and my baby..."Buddy" had to get in the photo as well. "What ya doing Mom?...is that food?"

TDiTM Stitch #64

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Here is a very short but sweet little variation of the chain arch. This would be adorable on both sides of a ribbon seam to just spice up a plain straight edge; without over-powering the luster or beauty of the ribbon itself.

Editorial note: If you like this series, please post a comment...I can't say why or when...but you might be pleasantly surprised for doing so. Hugs to all my blog followers!

TDiTM Stitch #63

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This version of the chain arch…is really tall because of the addition of the straight stitches at the base of each arch.

Because of the height, the addition of another element under each arch would be great. I think that keeping with the straight line…perhaps a diamond of beads with a center French knot?

TDiTM Stitch #62

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is another really plain little stitch…that is a good base for adding other items. A really pretty button, or a silk ribbon spider web rose would be so pretty… nestled under each archway.

The French knots could be done in beads of course; but I like the basic embroidery version for adding silk ribbon work to as well.

The thread in this stitch, as well as the two preceding it and following it…is in size 5 perle eight. Size 5 is a little larger that I like to actually stitch seams with, but makes for good photos. My recommendation is to use size 8 for blocks that are more than 9 inches in size…and size 12 for smaller blocks.

Also, a reminder that scale is always a consideration. So think about changing the width and depth of the arch to “fit” the project you are working on.

TDiTM Stitch #61

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This is about as simple as it gets! And I just love this little stitch because it looks so clean and dainty.

I would like to stitch this twice…in different colors…overlapping the curves to that they at offset a little…one slightly higher and to the right of the other.

What variations can you think of?

TDiTM Stitch #60

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

I got a little stitching time this weekend, so here is the first one I got finished! This is a variation on the 5 spoke treatment I like so much. But, lengthen the #2 and #4 spokes, instead of having the exterior edges lining up as we usually do. I like the fullness it creates.

And, of course…more practice on French knots!

Please note that the chart looks like the middle spoke starts away from the tip of the chain curve; where the stitched photo does not. The stitched photo is correct; I just can’t get Illustrator to draw what I want sometimes…so please make sure that spoke #3 goes all the way to the top…so all spokes meet.

More Round Robin Work-JOB

Just finished stitching in a Jewels on Black (JOB) round robin group. The blocks were really stunning...those beautiful rich colors against that black background. I loved the challenges it presented and seeing all those beautiful blocks!

The last block to be stitched...was my very favorite one to work on. And, the most challenging...since it is not my block, I won't show you the entire thing...sorry.

But, I can show you my contribution to the block. Hope you enjoy these glimpses.

TDiTM Stitch 59

TDiTM Stitch #59

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This variation is just so soft and girly looking…even stitched in blue!

Am wondering now about elongating the curve of the chain stitch…so, there will probably be another template coming out soon! Look for it on the wiki site…and if you don’t know where that is…go to the first post (linked above) to find out.

TDiTM Stitch 58

TDiTM Stitch #58

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

Here is just a truly simple, plain little stitch using minimal stitches.

Something about the simple clean lines of this stitch really appeals to me.

I also like the darker lazy daisy stitch…hmmmm…perhaps the seed beads next to it should have been darker too? I’m always wondering about little changes!

TDiTM Stitch 57

TDiTM Stitch #57

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

I wish I had not chosen pea soup green to stitch this in because it doesn’t photograph very well I think. The little seed beads are getting loss against all that powerful green.

If the 5-straight stitches were moved up some…that might be better. Then, a sequin/bead combination could be tucked in there.

If you are stitching along on these…please leave me your blog address in the comments so I can check out what creative ways you are using the stitches. Hope you’re enjoying the adventure. This summer has been very hectic for me, but with school starting next week…and my retiring by October…I will have many more hours of free time to enjoy my stitching. And, I am really looking forward to that!

TDiTM Stitch 56

TDiTM Stitch #56

Reference: Twelve Dozen Stitches in Twelve Months

This little purple beauty was lots of fun and super easy. I used crystal beads for all the little French knots...and it really sparkles!

(ETA: Thanks to Ann for catching my typo.)