stitches

painted stitches tree needlepoint, stitched by needlepoint expert janet m perry, vintage canvas by kris

I was so excited when I found the vintage canvas on eBay awhile ago. I like it because the stitches are already painted on, much as the wonderful designs of Barbara Bergsten are.

This type of needlepoint has the pattern of the stitch already there on the canvas, you pick your threads and follow along.

In the bottom left corner, you can see a patch I’ve already stitched, in Jacquard. The green line was painted on the canvas, I stitched that first and then filled in the cream.

The patch above will be Framed Scotch, I’m stitching the Scotch Stitches now and the white lines that frame the squares will be in Continental.

For some of the patches here, the stitch to use is quite clear, for others I’ll need to make some choices.

But if you are a beginner, or just want to expand your repertoire of stitches, look at Barbara’s great designs. She’s endlessly inventive and her painted stitches are just perfect and a joy to stitch.

With Painted Stitch canvases and a good stitch dictionary, you’ll learn tons of new stitches quickly.

P.S. In future posts, you’ll see this piece again because I’m using it to test three new threads.

Excerpt from:
Exploring the Painted Stitch Canvas

Pocket Stitch Books from Needlepoint, Inc and Threadworx – Product Review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Recently I got two little stitch books that cover basic stitches and that are just the right size to pop into your project bag or purse. Needlepoint Inc’s book is called Simply Stitches and Thread Candy Studio’s book is called Simple Stitches. Both books are small and cover a variety of stitches, suitable for beginning stitchers.

Thread Candy Studio’s Simple Stitches has volume 1 on the cover. It begins with a section on thread use information that is organized by mesh size for 18 and 14 mesh canvas, 28 or 32 count linen over 2, and 7 + 10 count canvas. There is also a little box that has some general guidelines for choosing threads. While most of this information is correct, some of it, especially the suggestions for linen are only appropriate for cross stitch but this is never noted. The next page has an explanation of different types and sizes of needles. This is followed by a few pages of stitching tips, including specific tips for left-handers.

The stitches in this book are in alphabetical order by name with large numbered diagrams. Many stitches have two versions, one for right- and one for left-handers. By careful if you are learning a stitch to use the correct diagram. Each stitch has the stitch family listed, stitch tips, and, for many stitches suggestions for effects or threads.

All the stitches are listed in the index.

Needlepoint Inc’s Simply Stitches is designed to be a quick reference book of frequently used needlepoint stitches. It has no text, just one stitch per page with large clear diagrams. They are also in alphabetical order but a Table of Stitches at the front of the book allows you go directly to the stitch you want.

The stitches cover many beginning stitches as well as some unusual and more advanced stitches.

I prefer Needlepoint Inc’s approach to this kind of book, it has the information I need but in a compact format that will continue to be useful whether I am just learning to stitch or need an easy reference to carry with me.

But both are great little tools for any stitcher.

View original post here:
Pocket Stitch Books from Needlepoint, Inc and Threadworx – Product Review

Free Stitch Guides from Associated Talents

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Associated Talents now has free PDF guides for a number of their canvases now available on their site.

The guides have color pictures of the stitched canvas, a supply list, color charts of the stitches, and explanations of any specialized techniques used. These include their inventive techniques for both beads and sequins.

Currently more than 20 guides are available and can be seen on their site. Click on any picture and the guide opens in a new window.

This is such a great idea!

Follow this link:
Free Stitch Guides from Associated Talents

2012 SOTM Colors – Reveal your Teal

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

teal needlepoint threads

Teal is, in clothing, a universally flattering color. In my family where we got from golden to ashy to ruddy to olive, it’s the only color we can all wear successfully.

It is also just about my favorite color and currently I am on a serious teal buying spree, getting a leather tote, tops, dresses, and just about anything else I can get me hands on.

But all this is besides the point. I’m going to make the ANG 2012 Stitch of the Month (anyone can follow and it’s free, check it out). The piece will be done in shades of one color in a variety of threads.

I want to use different color and I want to use all stash threads. I also didn’t want to use a color that is strongly associated with a cause, since I don’t know what the result will be (it’s a mystery project).

So I picked teal because I love it.

These are just the first threads I’ve pulled for the project. They include some metallic, Grandeur and Pebbly Perle, Waterlilies, a vareigated knitting yarn, Vineyard Merino, Silk & Ivory, Dragonfly Lotus Threads, and Planet Earth wool. I haven’t gone through all the drawers yet, so I know I will be adding more threads.

It’s way overkill but this gives me plenty for picking and choosing. I’m thinking I’m going to buy some teal paint and sponge paint white canvas for the background. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

BTW, teal also happens to be the color of our local hockey team, the Sharks, who used Reveal your Teal as a slogan one season.

Continue reading here:
2012 SOTM Colors – Reveal your Teal

Do You Know Someone Who Wants to Learn Needlepoint?

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Classes,Nuts About Needlepoint

Often people think needlepoint is hard to do, not very creative, and very boring. We know the truth — it’s easy, endlessly creative, and a great stress reliever.
beginning needlepoint stitch sampler designed by needlepoint expert janet m. perry
Do you know someone who wants to learn needlepoint? Maybe it’s someone in your family. Maybe it’s a co-worker who looks at your work and wishes she could do it herself.

I can help. I have a free beginning needlepoint course that is sent through email. Called “Right from the Beginning,” it teaches you about the different types of needlepoint, ten stitches, the tools, and everything you need to get started.

Over 1500 people have taken the course so far. Just sign up on the linked page to get started.

And if you are a beginner, several of the classes I have comping up are ones that will expand your knowledge of stitches and threads. Just contact me (using the link in the masthead) for more information.

See original here:
Do You Know Someone Who Wants to Learn Needlepoint?

Come Stitch with Me – Winter Stars Part 1

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

Originally posted 2009-01-20 06:07:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Winter Stars Needlepoint Pattern Free for stash needlepoint

A sparkly sky in icy blues. white, and pale grays is the inspiration for this Scrap Bag Needlepoint piece based on a quilt design.

You can make the quilt in any monochromatic color you like. To do so, first pick out your background color. In my case this was white, pale gray, and pale blue. Pull out all your threads in this color. Then pull out all your threads in the main color of the quilt. In my case this was blue to blue-violet. There will be a few blue-green patches, but not many.

For each block of the quilt you will use two shades of blue and one accent color. As you can see by the sample, you can have the darker shade either as the center or as the points. The only trick is to keep the look varied by not having the same thread in two blocks next to each other.

I try to keep the same thread from appearing in the same row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, but then I have lots of thread for these.

The layout will have 5 rows of five blocks. It is stitched on a 14″ square piece of 18 mesh mono canvas. I chose a dark blue for the canvas, as I wanted to have an underlying blue theme. You can pick any color.

The block is made up of a Scotch variation called Islay. Some are a single color, while some are split between two colors.

Scotch Stitches over more than five threads have a tendency to catch and snag. One way to fix this is to split up the stitches. You lose the smooth box look, but for something which is based on a quilt, you get little divisions, which look like the ties in an old-fashioned quilt.

As the design builds, this creates a nice rhythm.

The block has nine Islay and Reverse Islay Stitches in it. The corner blocks can be either of the two stitches. The diagram shows one possibility, the picture at the top of the post shows another.

Begin by finding the center of the canvas. This should be the center of one block.

Always complete a block before moving onto the next block.

As I add blocks I find them easiest to stitch by making a corner block which is next to an already stitched block. Then I stitch the triangle points, then the center blocks, then I finish up the background.

When you are fitting in triangles or making the second triangle on a side, begin with the outside stitches and work towards the corner, this makes the triangles easier to stitch.

Come back next month for the first borders and to see the center section completed.

Follow this link:
Come Stitch with Me – Winter Stars Part 1

Spiffing Up One-Thread Lines

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

ideas for creating one stitch lines from needlepoint expert janet m. perry

one stitch line samples

I’ve noticed recently that an awful lot of canvases have one-thread wide lines in them. Not that this is a recent development, but just that I finally noticed it.

Yes, you can do Tent Stitch and, very often, that’s the right thing to do. But sometimes you want to “kick it up a notch,” as the saying goes.

I’ve developed several stitches that I often use to make those single-thread lines stand out. The picture above shows some and in this post, I describe them and a couple of others.

Oblique Continental & Reverse Oblique Continental

oblique continental

These stitches take the basic Tent Stitch and elongate it, so instead of “over 1 and up 1″ it becomes “over 2 and up 1.” I like it because it becomes an almost ropey look. I also like that it seems to stand up a bit more than Tent. This stitch, in either slant, it the one I use most often when I want a different type of line.

Dashes & Dots

dashes & dots

Another way to change a one-stitch line is to add Cross Stitches over a single thread. This could be as simple as alternating between the two stitches. Or you could make a more decorative pattern as I did here, with longer lines of Tent (dashes) separated by one Cross (dots)

Four-way Continental

single line four-way continental

Four-way Continental when done in a single line creates a slight wavy look. I think it’a great for a line that is going to stick out from the surrounding design, like a snowman’s pipe stem or a perch on a birdhouse.

Single-line Wavy Gobelin

wavy gobelin stitch

You might think of this as a form of elongated Four-way Continental. Oblique stitches alternate in slants. I think the finished look is far more wavy than Four-way Continental and that it is quite an unusual look.

Whipped Backstitch

whipped backstitch

I love this stitch because it creates a thin, seamless line. It also is a great solution if you need to outline something, or make a single curved line. This stitch will stand up from the canvas slightly. Also be aware that this stitch is thinner than the other stitches here, so be sure to stitch underneath the line where you will put this stitch.

Whipped Chain Stitch

whipped chain stitch

If you want a bolder but still seamless line, you can’t do better than Whipped Chain Stitch. Like Whipped Backstitch, it is seamless and works around curves. But it is thicker (it will cover a line well) and it stands out even more. Whipped Chain Stitch is a great solution for lines that you really want to have stand out.

Read this article:
Spiffing Up One-Thread Lines

LAS Mini-Sock – Potpourri III

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

learn a stitch needlepoint mini-sock, designed and stitched by needlepoint expert janet m. perry

I made this mini-sock because I just love the shade of Watercolours used here, Blue Spruce. I like that combination of icy teal and pink, although this skein didn’t have much pink in it.

outline for crazy quilt needlepoint mini-sock sampler, developed by needlepoint expert janet m. perry

Click image to go to full-size template

You’ll notice that the patches on this mini-sock are different than the ones we have been using. There are six here, so use this outline (click for the full-size template). If you want to use the other outline, just leave out one of the patches.

Patch 1 – Double Straight Cross
double straight cross stitch for needlepoint, diagrammed by needlepoint expert janet m. perry
This popular Cross Stitch gets lots of texture from using two very different threads: rayon and Very Velvet. Although both crosses are exactly the same, the different weights of the threads makes it look almost as if the rayon crosses are a grid over the bulkier velvet. It’s a neat effect.

Patch 2 – Flemish Bond
flemish bond stitch for needlepoint, diagrammed by needlepoint expert janet m. perry
This straight stitch consists of different patterns in alternating rows. Every other row consists of groups of three Horizontal Gobelins over three threads. The other row consists of pairs of alternating horizontal
and Vertical Gobelins of different lengths. The horizontal stitches are over two threads while the vertical stitches are over three threads. It creates a complex pattern.

Although you can make this stitch by making all the horizontal stitches in one pass, followed by all the vertical stitches, I make it one row at a time.

Patch 3 – Linenfold
linenfold needlepoint stitch, diagrammed by needlepoint expert janet m. perry
This stitch gets its name from a type of carved paneling popular in Tudor England. It’s alternating columns of Diagonal and Horizontal Gobelin. Although I have seen versions of this stitch with columns of many different widths, usually one column, using Horizontal Gobelin is significantly wider than the other column.

I always think of the wide columns as the linen and the narrow columns as the folds. Here it is stitched using Needlepoint, Inc. silk.

Patch 4 – Pavement Stitch
pavement stitch combination of mosaic, cashmere and scotch stitches for needlepoint, diagrammed by needlepoint expert janet m. perry
This stitch is a combination of Mosaic, Cashmere, and Scorch stitches. I stitched it in three threads but it is equally lovely in one or two. Its name comes from the way it looks like fancy stamped pavement. The stitches are reversed in the mini-sock and are done in Kreinik metallic, rayon, and Very Velvet.

Patch 5 Arrowhead Scotch
arrowhead scotch stitch for needlepoint, diagrammed by needlepoint expert janet m. perry
In this Scotch Stitch variation a line of Tent Stitches along two edges is done in a different thread, so that the main part of the Scotch looks like an arrow. I think the effect is more pronounced in some threads than others. Here, it’s just a nice pattern, stitched in Watercolours and Kreinik.

Patch 6 – Loire
loire parisian stitch variation, diagrammed by needlepoint expert janet m perry
This stitch is a variation of Double Parisian Stitch. Instead of alternating blocks of two long stitches and two short stitches. It alternates blocks sizes as well. This creates alternating rows of two long and one short, or one long and two short. The Frosty Rays used here kind of mutes the stitch pattern.

Follow this link:
LAS Mini-Sock – Potpourri III

Landscape Stitches — book review

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

This delightful book from Little House Canvas Company came out earlier this year and has been a huge success. Small enough to fit into your stitching bag, but with over 370 stitches, it’s a great find. It took me awhile to get my copy and then a while longer to try out the innovative stitches in it.

And now I’m hooked. There is so much information packed into the book. First it is organized so nicely, by the types of things you see in landscapes: grass, sky, clouds, rocks, etc.

Every category has a bunch of stitches in it six to a page in small but very clear diagrams. At the beginning of each chapter there is a page of suggestions on how to use the stitches.

Two things intrigued me about the stitches and compelled me to try them out. First there were so many stitches I didn’t know. When you realize I have just about every stitch dictionary out there and have close to 500 stitches charted on my computer, you’ll understand why this was a surprise. Second most of the stitches needed two different threads. I just wasn’t sure how well this would work.

So I’m trying it out on a Mission from ABS Designs. It has a sky, shrubbery, grass, soil, and a driveway I decided to do in one of the stone stitches. For some areas I used only one thread for both threads in the stitch. For others I used two threads.

The results are wonderful. The canvas has many more textured stitches on it than I would have done before the book. And, even though I picked them pretty much at random, they all go together. They also all look good, whether in one thread or two.

An iPhone/iPad/iPod version of the book will be out in November and I can’t wait.

Buy this book, it’s amazing.

Now can we get another one?

Shake your Tail Feathers

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint

needlepoint blue macaw designed by kathy schenkel and stitched by needlepoint expert janet m perry
Recently I stitched this delightful Blue Macaw from Kathy Schenkel’s Pirates of the Caribbean series (there is also a Red Macaw I’m doing next).

One thing about Macaws (and many other birds) is that they have long tails. When you are doing a piece as small as this, it can be a real challenge to find stitches that give that feeling of length.

diagonal gobelin stripe stitch, diagrammed by needlepoint expert janet m perry

Using Diagonal Gobelin, above, is just perfect. You can also alternate the direction of the stitches as I did. The long lines of unbroken stitches give you that feeling of length. You can adjust the width to fit the width of your piece. And it creates a nice contrast to the smaller and more busy stitch patterns and colors of the rest of the bird.

Another great possibility if you have a bit more room is Needlepoint Fern Stitch.

Link:
Shake your Tail Feathers

← Previous Entries

stitches

Subscribe

Pages