Lucky Me!

I always enjoy visiting and teaching at Bedecked and Beadazzled. The customers are a blast, Ruth is a great hostess, Johnny, and I always come home with new stitches (and stitched samples) to share with you! Win, win!

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.

Today’s stitch is from Ruth’s gorgeous guide* for Patio Table by Annie O’Brien Gonzales (distributed through Melissa Shirley Designs). It uses Petite Silk Lame (aqua lines) and Princess Perle (black lines). (* I say gorgeous because I saw the student’s exquisite work in progress.)

This stitch will work with so many thread combos. More often than not, I use strong single strand threads such as Kreinik Metallics, Vineyard Silk, or Elegance as the base thread (aqua lines). I use these because they are heavy enough to be visible in the areas between two beetles. And, similar to Ruth’s version, I cover it with another single strand thread, often a metallic.

Ruth used this stitch for a tabletop and I love how it complements the original canvas design in that area. Extending the tabletop idea, it would also make a gorgeous tile floor with silk perle, such as Elegance, and Straw Silk (!) on top for a rough-ish looking floor or even a silk floss for a smoother floor. I would love to see it as a coat with a heavy Kreinik (such as size 16 or even the 1/8” ribbon) for the base thread and Very Velvet for the beetles. Consider alternating the top threads by color or finish in every other column for the coat as well.

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!  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!

Hello Wednesday

Hello Wednesday. (You snuck up on me there.) Little did I know that last Sunday’s post was going to provide more inspiration for this week.

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.

Today's stitch comes from the same Melissa Shirley tree skirt as this week’s #smallspacesunday. The stitched sample uses Vineyard Silk (black lines), Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12), and Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid (#16) (turquoise lines). It’s the coat from one of the Santas.

The sequence is important here. Start with the black lines, follow with the gray lines (from edge to edge) and end by tying down the gray lines with the turquoise lines. There are two schools of thought here. The first is as diagrammed, leaving one intersection empty during the first step. This intersection is covered by the final step. (In the stitched sample, it is covered by the green metallic.) The other idea to consider is to stitch that intersection with the same thread as the black lines. Proceed with the rest of the stitch as diagrammed. The difference is the turquoise lines (or green metallic in the stitched sample) has a small bit of elevation and texture.

This full coverage stitch makes wonderful clothing (as illustrated). Change the finish of the thread for the gray line and you could have a very interesting ground cover or tree. For ground cover, I would love to see the thread combo of Bella Lusso Merino Wool (black lines), Gloriana Princess Perle (gray line), and Vineyard Silk (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, 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!  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!

Hello Edith!

Today’s postcard is from Edith! It’s a wonderful stitch combining silk, metallic, and beads.

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.

Today's stitch comes Edith, Ethel, & Ezra by Birds of a Feather (from an embellishment event earlier this year). The stitched sample is Edith’s dress and uses Soie D'Alger (gray lines), Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12) (aqua lines), and a size 11 Sundance Bead in the center (turquoise circles) (on 18-mesh).

It’s a fantastic full coverage stitch. The three distinct stitch elements are excellent catalysts for color combos (illustrated in the stitched sample). It is a great stitch for a dress, coat, or bag for a holiday piece. I would love to see it as a large pumpkin. Consider changing the bead to a more dramatic Swarovski bi-cone crystal or round crystal. Bigger is certainly better with Swarovski Crystals, but I recommend nothing larger than 3 or 4mm, to allow other elements of the stitch to shine through. It would make a great fruit tree with silk floss (gray lines), an overdyed Silk Perle, such as Gloriana Princess Perle, for the Upright Tied Cross (aqua lines), and a Sundance bead.

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, 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!  

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!

Make it Go Faster

Today's stitch is one of my favorite cheats. It's pretty but also goes really, really quickly.

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.

Truthfully, most diamond stitches are fast stitches. However, today's stitch goes especially quickly because you add two rows on either end for subsequent stitches leading to the center stitch. In addition, you skip a row between the diamonds on all but the center stitch. (This helps provide a clear path for the accent stitch.) The stitched sample is me playing at home with Vineyard Silk (gray lines) and Flair (turquoise lines) on 18-mesh. So, a quick and easy full coverage stitch.  Win, win!

I've used this stitch for clothing (with the thread combo from above). It would be a fantastic architectural stitch, such as a roof, pathway, or wall. However, I recommend distinctly different threads for those ideas. The Flair used in the sample adds a certain softness to the stitch, as is appropriate. For architectural stitches, I recommend a more defined metallic (such as a Kreinik or Treasure Braid) for the accent stitch. If metallic isn't appropriate for the accent thread, use a lightweight perle thread, such as Soie Perlee, Gloriana Princess Perle, Rainbow Gallery's Elegance, DMC Perle Cotton, or Dinky Dyes Silk Perle.

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, 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!  

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!

Weaving In and Out

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! 

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.

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!