Ruff Ruff!

May 5, 2019 whimsicalstitch

Today’s #stitchingsunday is one of the darling pooches from Ruff Life in the Wine Country featuring Tall Short from a #smallspacesunday in 2017.

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 Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Today’s Tall Short stitch uses Gloriana Lorikeet (on 18-mesh) for a dog’s ear. It will also make great tree trunk, small sweater or socks, or a window.

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, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Patience Brewster, and many more. 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! Happy #stitchingsunday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible. The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence. For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order. They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color). Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines. That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Hello Gorgeous!

February 13, 2019 whimsicalstitch

Today’s stitch is beautiful…and deceptive. The truth is that it is far easier than either the diagram or the stitched sample portray.

Once I saw the pattern as blocks of diagonal stitches six rows high instead of separate blocks of red stitches (three rows high) and blocks of pink stitches (also three rows high), it all came together for me. It took a couple false starts before this was obvious to me. I think the effect is far more dramatic if you use contrasting colors (as the stitch sample illustrates) versus contrasting finishes in the same color family.

The stitched sample is me playing on blank canvas with Very Velvet (aqua lines) and Shimmer Ribbon (black lines).

This is truly an all purpose full coverage stitch. It would make a wonderful pair of pants with a Gloriana Lorikeet with a Vineyard Silk a or a Soie D’Alger paired with a Gloriana Pashmina. It will make a great tree or ground cover with a combo of a solid Burmilana and a ThreadWorx overdyed Floss or Perle Cotton. Consider using it for a wall with lightweight thread combos, such as size 8 or size 12 silk or cotton perle along with a lightweight metallic, such as Petite Silk Lame or a size 8 Kreinik Metallic.

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! Please enjoy!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible. The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence. For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order. They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color). Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines. That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

My Favorite Day of the Year

December 26, 2018 whimsicalstitch

The day after Christmas is my favorite day of the year. Seriously. It’s calm. There’s a lingering glow from the month+ of holiday activities and months of prep. There’s no rush because we still have New Year’s to look forward to. It’s the perfect day to de-stress and stitch. And here’s a stitch for that spot you weren’t quite sure what to do with.

It’s that “just right” stitch, if you will, as it falls precisely in between a small Alternating Cashmere and the larger version. The stitched sample uses Impressions and Neon Rays+ on 18-mesh. It’s an easy full coverage stitch with a zillion applications. This stitch, or either of its cousins, are great for backgrounds, baskets, floors, walls. I love the symmetry and elegance of it.

For backgrounds on 18 mesh, I would use silk Perle, such as Elegance, for the gray lines and my favorite metallic such as Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12) or Entice for the aqua lines. For a basket, I recommend an overdyed wool (Lorikeet or ThreadWorx), with a more subtle metallic such as Flair or Silk Lame. I love the smoothness of silk floss for walls. Pair it with a Neon Rays to enhance the smooth finish. Mix two matte threads for a rustic floor, such as Rainbow Linen and a Burmilana Tweed.

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, Sandra Gilmore, and Patience Brewster, and many more. 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! Please enjoy!

I. Love. This. Stitch.

June 10, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is a variation on another favorite stitch. It's a great pop of colors and finishes that can help bring a small space to life. I. Love. This. Stitch.

The stitched sample is me playing with Vineyard Silk and Kreinik Metallics 1/16" Ribbon on 13-mesh.

There are so many applications for this stitch. I integrated this stitch into a student's project with Lorikeet for a small bush, replacing the single tent stitches with French Knots. It would make a darling sweater or small Christmas stocking, especially with two colors and/or two different finishes. The stitched sample is a perfect example of that. Consider leaving the two tent stitches out for an open stitch for any sort of small greenery or even water.

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. 81 guides are currently available, with 20 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!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible. The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence. For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order. They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color). Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines. That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Balancing Act

May 23, 2018 whimsicalstitch

As much as I love open stitches, they require balance. A balanced project includes open stitches with varying degrees of coverage and a handful of full coverage stitches. Today's stitch is just that perfect full coverage stitch.

This stitched sample is the background from last week's post, using DMC Perle #8 and Flair on 13-mesh. I selected the lighter weight threads because I didn't want to ignore the brown spots in the background, but I also didn't want to draw attention to them. Sure, heavier threads would have covered the brown spots, but I wanted it all, as it were. I think this strikes the perfect balance.

I love how understated this stitch is. It would work well for clothing (with Very Velvet for the gray lines and Fyre Werks for the turquoise lines), calm water (with lightweight Kreinik for the gray lines and Petite Silk Lame for the turquoise lines), or even greenery (with Bella Lusso Merino Wool for the gray lines and Lorikeet for the turquoise lines).

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. Click here to see the 20 newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

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

Va Va Va Voom

May 16, 2018 whimsicalstitch

When I first laid eyes on today's canvas, I knew EXACTLY what I was going to do with the white flowers...and completely clueless as to what to do with the red flowers. Ten plus years later, I have no regrets and am more excited about the red flowers than the white flowers.

The stitched sample used Neon Rays (black lines) and Fyre Werks (turquoise lines) on 13-mesh. A laying tool was essential in keeping the Neon Rays flat and smooth. It works, I promise. And it's easy.

I really do love this stitch. It has straight and oblique stitches, leading to a really pretty symmetry. Technically, it's an open stitch, but really passes as a full coverage stitch. I recommend using this stitch for an area you want to draw attention to. Clearly, I like it for a flower. Other space ideas include clothing, an intriguing roof, or a dramatic bag.

Ideas for thread combinations include Very Velvet (gray lines) and Fyre Werks (turquoise lines) for a jacket, Rainbow Linen (gray lines) and Lorikeet (turquoise lines) for a roof, or Soie D'Alger (gray lines) and Silk Lame (turquoise lines) for a bag. If you want more bling, swap the metallic and matte threads in any of the mentioned combos.

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. Click here to see the 20 newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

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

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible. The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence. For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order. They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color). Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines. That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Skinny Minny

March 28, 2018 whimsicalstitch

I needed something different for a narrow and tall tree. I love the Upright Cross Stitch for a tree, so I just put it on a diet.

The stitched sample uses six plies of DMC Cotton Floss and a cute pearl from SJ Designs on 13-mesh. The open intersection is 2X2 rows. If a large embellishment isn't the right thing for your space, consider a size 11 bead over two rows, four French Knots, four beads, an Upright Cross, or even a Smryna Cross. If you would like less texture, consider four tent stitches, a 2X2 Mosaic stitch, or leaving it open.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I love Lorikeet for greenery. In my opinion, mixing Lorikeet with a solid color thread is always a good look. Consider Lorikeet for the gray lines and Glisten or Planet Earth Silk Opal for the accent stitch.

This would make really pretty clothing with silk floss, such as Soie D'Alger or Waterlilies, combined with beads or a bright metallic.

Flip it 90 degrees and I think you have a wonderful water stitch. For that, I would use a lightweight metallic and a bead, such as Kreinik size 8 and a size 11 bead (on 13-mesh) or Kreinik size 4 and a size 14/15 bead (on 18-mesh).

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! 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.

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!

Weaving In and Out

February 28, 2018 whimsicalstitch

And here we are at the end of February and glorious Spring is almost here! In honor of the pending spring, I bring you a cute little woven stitch!

While this looks like a Tramme stitch, it uses a different sequence. Add the black lines first. When complete, and only when complete, start at an outer edge and weave the thread under the groups of vertical stitches, alternating between two separate horizontal rows of stitches.

For this example, start at the upper right corner. Weave the thread under the groups of stitches on the top row and the groups of stitches two rows BELOW. Return to the top row, take the needle under the next group of stitches, and return to the next group on the axis below. Repeat until you reach the end. When you get to the end, repeat this sequence in reverse. Start on the third row of groups of five stitches and weave UP to include the second row of stitches.

This stitch is quick and easy...seriously. I used a variation of this stitch for the back panel of a wicker chair. It was a perfect fit for the chair and maximized the beautiful shading behind the chair. Other ideas include a basket using Rainbow Linen or Lorikeet. It would make a great fence with wools. It would also make a really charming roof. The stitched sample uses Pepper Pot (aqua thread) and Gloriana Princess Perle (white thread). I urge you to use single strand threads, especially for the top threads, to avoid any snagging when weaving the second thread underneath.

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! Please enjoy!

Just Right

November 1, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is great for small, medium, and larg-ish areas. In other words, it's just right.

The stitched sample includes Gloriana Florimell Silk Floss (gray lines) and Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid (#16) (aqua lines) on 13-mesh.

This stitch could work for so many things. I see it as water with Petite Silk Lame and a lightweight Kreinik. The combination of Burmilana (gray lines) and Gloriana Lorikeet (aqua lines) would make an attractive hillside or field. Using the same thread for all the stitches, such as a Pepper Pot or an Appleton Tapestry Wool, would make a great beard. 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!

#whimsicalwednesday blog