DIRECTIONS
Prepare to stitch
Begin with a sampler to get
better acquainted with the stitches
for this exercise: straight stitch,
French knot, and couching.
Complete the journaling exercise
before jumping into the challenge;
drawing will get you focused on
the theme and help generate ideas.
Draw preliminary sketches in your
journal before starting on the stitch
challenge.- Pin or baste the cotton/linen
fabric to the stabilizer fabric.
Make 2 fabric/stabilizer pairs. - Use the template and a fabric-
safe marker/pencil to mark a 4"
square stitching area on each
fabric/stabilizer pair. - Thread up and knot a number of
needles using an assortment of
thread weights or types.
Create the sampler
- Working with one of the fabric/
stabilizer pairs, explore the
theme of texture with the three
stitches presented here.
- Straight stitch encompasses
a large category of stitches
including seeding, cross, and
satin stitches. Each of these can
be used to create interesting
stitched textures.
Representing
Texture in StitchBelow are some ways in which your stitching can visually
‘read’ as texture. Often texture is represented by a
combination of these such as small, repeating elements
that are the same/similar color as the background fabric.- Small scale elements especially when contrasted with
larger more dominant elements - Repetition of the same or similar elements
- Overlapping elements to build up surfaces
- Low color or value contrast between stitched elements
and background fabric
From left, the work of Karen McElfi sh, Jamie Flood, Beth Schmaltz, and Julie B. Booth