Ginabean

March 18, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is an ode to short, powerful, and surprising. Kinda like my dear friend, Gina(bean). She's all kinds of short and awesome, just like today's stitch. I think the technical name is Alternating Diagonal Mosaic, but I know it as the Ginabean.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams. — Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams. — Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample is Soie D'Alger with Entice for the accent. Two things happened on the way to the stitched sample. First, I really liked the stitch without the accent. But, I also love it with the accent! So, your stitched sample is both. Magic!

This stitch would make a great small almost anything. The diagram includes a bead; the stitched sample uses a Cross Stitch in lieu of the bead. The bead version would make fantastic water, angel wings, small dresses or aprons, somewhere where you may want a little extra pop or extra added femininity. I see the Cross Stitch version as more multi-purpose. Sure, I would use it for any of the items I mentioned for the bead as well as clouds, receding landscape, tree leaves, roof, water, angel wings, small dresses or aprons. I think you get the idea.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 61 guides are currently available, with 13 new Stitch Concepts just added! Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy! Happy #smallspacesunday!

An Oldie but Goodie

March 14, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is from one of my favorite workshop pieces. I remember it well because this was one of the first times I changed a stitch on a workshop piece. I felt like I was being so naughty! To this day, I have no regrets.

So, the bad news is I can't find the original stitched piece. While that is embarrassing on many levels, it turns out to be a wonderful opportunity for us. I stitched the sample using two different thread approaches. The blue is the lovely and glorious Pashmina from Gloriana Threads. The red is a matte/metallic combo with Vineyard Silk and Entice. The point in providing both is the combo illustrates that the bottom thread is still visible, even clearly so. (And I'm kinda digging the stripes.)

The original inspiration (that I'm still looking for) is a Vineyard Silk for a bush in a lovely yard scene. This stitch is perfect for greenery and the like because it adds texture that is always good for shrubs. Using the stitched sample as a thought-starter, play with it for a Santa's bag, basket, winter clothing, or even a rug. If you are looking for a little less texture, try using flatter threads, such as Fyre Werks or silk or cotton floss, may reduce the texture a bit. Also mix it up a little by using a metallic for the black lines and a matte thread for the gray lines.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

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I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy!

It Sure Doesn't Look Small

March 4, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch packs a lot of interesting detail for a small stitch. And it's fantastic.

The stitched sample uses DMC Floss and Kreinik Metallic for a roof on a small house from a Melissa Shirley vintage Halloween village. The symmetry makes it a perfect roof stitch.

The stitched sample used the same thread (the black Kreinik) to fill the open 2X2 intersections. Using two different threads for those intersections, as the diagram illustrates, offers a bunch of fun ideas. Consider it for a small coat or dress with Soie D'Alger for the black lines, Entice or Kreinik for the gray lines, and Petite Silk Lame for the turquoise lines. Another idea is to combine Gloriana Lorikeet for the black lines, Straw Silk for the gray lines, and Vineyard Silk for the turquoise lines. One last thought is to replace the gray lines with a bead and this could make a great small water stitch. You can have a lot of fun with this.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy! Happy #smallspacesunday!

Baby Leaves!

February 4, 2018 whimsicalstitch

I love finding new (to me) small stitches as it is always good to expand your repertoire beyond your traditional small stitches. I continue to be amazed at how many small space stitches are out there. Today's is especially cute!

I love a good leaf stitch and today's is a perfect one for a small space. It's offers generous coverage and is just plain cute.

The diagram is colored to offer clarity on the steps. Personally, I would stitch the diamonds first (dark gray lines) and add the leaves afterwards (light gray lines). As always, thread selection truly depends on the look you are going for.

Clearly, this stitch would make a great tree or shrub. A single overdyed floss or silk would be lovely (for the entire stitch). If the area has room for more personality, consider using two different shades of a single color. The stitched sample uses three plies of Soie D'Alger on 18-mesh. Adding one more ply certainly wouldn't hurt.

The diamonds around the small leaves extend its appeal beyond greenery. If this isn't going to be foliage, for goodness sake, have fun with dramatic color and finish combinations. Frankly, it would make an adorable coat or a floor covering. For the coat, I think a combo of Very Velvet plus a deep Kreinik Metallic or Entice would be gorgeous. For a lighter look, try silk perle (Rainbow Gallery Elegance or Subtlety, or Gloriana Princess Perle) for the diamond and a Petite Silk Lame for the inside.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 60 guides are currently available, with 12 new Stitch Concepts just added! Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

More Trifecta Goodness

October 25, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Part of the joy of traveling to teach at stores outside of my neighborhood is seeing a variety of thread inventories, learning about regional nuances (for me, the use of the pin stitch) and seeing lovely stitched samples (the most fun).

The stitch below combines several things I came across during recent travels. It includes overlapping diamonds (shades of a recent post), a tramme (a long time favorite of mine), and open work.

The stitched sample includes Rainbow Gallery's Cashmere (aqua lines), Princess Perle (dark gray lines), and Entice (light gray lines).

I used two different colors for the base threads to mix it up a little bit. While this stitch is complex, it would still serve well as a background with 2-3 different threads in the same color. Or stitch the dark gray base thread in a contrasting metallic. It would make a great basket or ground cover with matte thread combinations such as Lorikeet, Soie D'Alger, Planet Earth Merino Wool, or Rainbow Linen. Use it for clothing with Very Velvet, silk perles, and Kreinik. I hope these thought-starters help you come up with something perfect for your space!

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Double Trouble

September 20, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Don't let the pink in the stitched sample fool you. Today's stitch is a dramatic choice for an area you want to stand out.

The stitched sample above is me playing with Pepper Pot Silk (base threads) and Entice (accent threads). I added numbers to a pair of X's in the diagram to illustrate how I envision one laying on top of the other.

I purposely left an empty row in between the base threads to add more open space, especially if I choose to use this stitch on a beautifully shaded area. I considered and discarded the idea of adding a bead in the oblique diamond area between the columns. However, that would add more coverage and an extra dose of glamour.

You could also center both vertical stitches in the column, as illustrated on the right. It's simply a matter of personal taste.

This stitch is clearly for a large space and one that will stand out. I recommend it for clothing, bags, large trees, even ground covering (on the right canvas). Thread weights will play a large (no pun intended) role in where to use this stitch. For example, lighter weight threads would make this stitch work for water, or even a sky.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

#whimsicalwednesday blog