TAST 35 & BEYOND TAST 35

 TAST 35 - Whipped Chain Stitch

This is derived from chain stitch family.   As the name suggests, it involves the whipping of the initiallt laid chain stitches.

Two different type of whipping variations can be done as seen in the below pic.

In the first one, I have worked the foundation chain stitches with the green thread and the whipping is done with the yellow thread .  The thread was passed under each of the foundation chain stitches.  I have worked two such rows.

In the second one, I have worked the foundation chain stitch with the yellow thread and the whipping of one side of the chain stitch was done with the red color thread which was followed by whipping the other side of the foundation chain stitches with the same red color thread.  Next, I worked the foundation chain stitches in green thread and followed the same whipping process like before with  the red color thread. 

                                                          

Double Whipped Chain

Two rows of foundation chain stitches in red color were worked which was then whipped with a yellow thread in the middle of the chain stitches.  This stitch creates a thicker line due to two rows of foundation chain stitches.

BEYOND TAST 35 -  Magic Chain Stitch (Checkered Chain)

I had used this stitch before in my previous projects, so I chose to do a simple leaf shape with this stitch, just to include in my TAST Sample book.

TAST 34 & BEYOND TAST 34

 TAST 34 - Crossed Feather Stitch & Plaited Feather Stitch

As the name suggests, both these are derived from Feather Stitch.  Crossed & Plaited Feather stitch are almost similar, just that in Plaited Feather Stitch we take the working thread under the cross bar created by the initial set of feather stitches.These stitches can be used for Crazy Quilting Seam Treatments.

                                                        

BEYOND TAST 34 - Spiked Knotted Cable Chain.

A new stitch to learn in this series of TAST challenges.  This creates a knotted stitch and is derived from Chain stitch family.  I tried practicing this stitch in a circle.

                                                            

TAST 33 & BEYOND TAST 33

 TAST 33 - Cloud Filling stitch

This is one more new stitch for me to learn .  As the name suggests this is a filling stitch and it is fun to do.

I should be careful with the stitch tension  as pulling it too tight results in a flat stitch (as seen in the first row)  instead of curving shapes.

                                                        

BEYOND TAST 33 - Slipped Detached Chain (Tulip Stitch)

This is a great and such a lovely stitch to learn.  As the name suggests, this creates Tulip kind of shapes and is adaptable for creating beautiful petals and leaves.  

My inspiration for the sampler, came from my imagination.  I imagined myself walking along the path of a beautiful and colorful Tulip garden.

TAST 32 & BEYOND TAST 32

 TAST 32 - Alternating Up and Down Buttonhole

This stitch is derived from buttonhole stitch and in particular from Up and Down Buttonhole.  I was wondering about such a long name for this stitch.  Can you believe this stitch has totally 30 alphabets in its spelling.  :)-.  Anyhow the stitch is not too complex to learn.  I tried to adapt this stitch for floral elements like stems by slightly varying the direction 

BEYOND TAST 32 - Triple Chain stitch

Though this is a new stitch, it was fun , easy and simple to learn.  This is derived from the Chain stitch family.  Therefore it follows the curve very well.  This can be used as a decorative stitch with beads for Crazy Quilt Seam Treatment.  This stitch very well adapts itself in creating floral elements like vines and stems.  

TAST 31 & BEYOND TAST 31

 TAST 31 - Woven Detached Chain

As the name suggests this stitch is derived from detached chain (or lazy daisy stitch).  But this creates a textured shape and this makes it suitable for floral elements like flower petals and leaves.  I

  In some of the Indian households, there is a  bunting made of green plastic  with pictures of  Gods and Goddesses and this is hung on the house entrances. The bunting picture is below. 

  This was my inspiration in creating this sampler and I wanted my stitched bunting to have the  the fall colors. :)-

                                                       

BEYOND TAST 31 - Woven Zig Zag chain 

As the name suggests this stitch is derived from Zig Zag chain stitch and it creates a textured stitch.

  

TAST 30 & BEYOND TAST 30

 TAST 30 - Lock Stitch

Lock Stitch is a very new stitch to me.  Feeling happy to add this to my known stitches skill set. Initially a row of vertical straight stitches are stitched .  Then the lacing of these straight stitches are done by alternating the lacing in the left and right directions.

There are few variations available with this stitch.  The lock stitch can be a single lock stitch or double lock stitch.  In the double lock stitch, the lacing is done twice once on the upper side of the straight stitches and again at the bottom of the straight stitches.  Beaded variation of this stitch is available with the name Beaded lock stitch.

I tried single lock stitch with black straight stitches and blue lacing.   Tried out the double lock stitch with white straight stitches followed by lacing of the stitches with the black thread.  Beaded lock stitch is done with white beads.  I tried creating a stepped pattern with beads by offsetting a stitch.

  

BEYOND TAST 38 - TURKMAN STITCH

This is one more new stitch to learn and practice.  A very easy , simple and is a quick stitch .  This stitch is derived from Chain stitch family.

                                                            

TAST 29 & BEYOND TAST 29

 TAST 29 - PEKINESE STITCH

I have used this stitch before and this TAST challenge is a good refresher to stitch it again .  Initially, a row of back stitches are stitched which are then laced with another thread.  While lacing the stitches, the thread tension has to be managed carefully, if pulled too tight, the beauty of this stitch is lost.  This stitch is also called as chinese stitch.  This works great as a decorative edging stitch.

 

BEYOND TAST 29 - SCROLL STITCH

This is a new stitch for me to learn in this TAST challenge.  This was very simple and easy to learn.  It creates a knotted stitch,  the effect is more spectacular when stitched with thicker threads.  This stitch follows the curve well.

                                                    

TAST 28 & BEYOND TAST 28

 TAST 28 - BRETON STITCH

Breton Stitch is derived from Herringbone stitch.  So, its pretty easy and such a straight forward stitch.  This follows a curve well and can be used as a decorative edging stitch or a filling stitch.

BEYOND TAST 28 - Diamond Stitch

As the name suggests, this stitch creates a diamond pattern.  But its a complex stitch involving a sequence of steps.  It was difficult for me in the beginning, then I referred Mary Corbet's video in youtube videos and got the hang of it.  The struggle is worth to see the end result of the diamond stitch though.

                                                       

TAST 27 & BEYOND TAST 27

 TAST 27 - BARB Stitch

One more new stitch for me to learn.  Barb stitch belongs to the buttonhole family.  Two rows of buttonhole stitches are worked back to back followed by whipping both the loops of the buttonhole stitches. The beaded version of the barb stitch creates a line made of beads while whipping the stitches. 

Beyond TAST 27 - Crested Chain Stitch

One more new stitch to learn and add to my skill set.  This creates a textured stitch and is a fun stitch to practice.   I will be using this stitch in my future projects. 

TAST 26 & BEYOND TAST 26

 TAST 26 - Sheaf Stitch

I got the opportunity to learn this new stitch in this week's TAST challenges.  I like the simplicity of this stitch.  This stitch can be used as a filler pattern, or the stitches can be arranged in various different ways to create beautiful patterns.  The number and / or the length of the straight line stitches can be varied to get a different effect.

                                                         

Beyond TAST 26 - Linked Double Chain

This stitch is made by making two chain stitches side by side followed by a twisted chain stitch .  This is again a new stitch for me to learn.  It worked very well with the perl cotton thread.  This follows a curve well.

TAST 25 & Beyond TAST 25

 TAST 25 - FERN STITCH

Fern Stitch is a simple and fun stitch , but gives great results, especially for creating floral displays in embroidery.   I tried creating a floral bouquet and included fern stitch as a part of it.   There is a beaded version of this Fern Stitch , which I would try out sometime later.

BEYOND TAST 25 -  Zig Zag Coral Stitch

I  did not try this stitch out and I skipped it,

TAST 24 & BEYOND TAST 24

 TAST 24 -  Crossed Buttonhole Stitch

A new stitch for me to learn.  As the name suggests, this stitch is derived from the buttonhole stitch family.  Therefore, this stitch is quite easy.  By varying the length and the direction of the stitches, the look and feel of this stitch can be varied.

Beyond TAST 24 - Top Knotted Buttonhole

This did not appeal to me much .  Just having a knot on top of the regular buttonhole stitch did not fascinate me to try and work out a sample out of  this stitch.   So, I skipped this TAST challenge.

TAST 23 & BEYOND TAST 23

 TAST 23 - Knotted Cable Chain

Knotted Cable Chain is just the same stitch as Oyster Stitch, but worked in a line, continuously, one after the other where as Oyster Stitch is worked as individual and separate units.  This stitch follows the curve well, as it is derived from chain stitch family.  This creates a textured stitch line on the surface of the fabric.

Beyond TAST 23 - Interlaced Cable Chain.

        One more fun and easy stitch .  A new stitch for me to learn and enjoy.  Two rows of cable chain stitches are stitched first and then it is beautifully interlaced, to create this composite textured stitch.  I tried creating this stitch on a slightly curved scallopy line as well.  This would make a great edging stitch .

                                                       

TAST 22 & BEYOND TAST 22

 TAST 22 - Up and Down Buttonhole

 The stitch is very and simple.  Its similar to the buttonhole stitch

BEYOND TAST 22 - Interlaced Up and Down Buttonhole.

Initially, two rows of Up and down buttonhole stitches are worked back to back.  Then it is interlaced to get this beautiful stitch.  This could be used for edging and as seam treatment in crazy quilt.

TAST 21 & BEYOND TAST 21

 TAST 21 - Raised Herringbone Band

    This is a new stitch for me .  Its such a beautiful and super easy stitch to learn .  On top of the layer of the satin stitches, herringbone stitches are worked out, which is then laced.  Thus , a beautiful effect of textured and raised embroidery stitch is created.  This would be a good edging stitch.

                                                        

BEYOND TAST 21- Buttonholed Herringbone

This is such a fun stitch to try out.  Initially a row of herringbone stitches are worked.  On these, a layer of buttonholed stitches are worked.  This gives a texture to the stitch.  This would also be suitable as an edging stitch

TAST 20 & BEYOND TAST 20

 TAST 20 - Basque Stitch

One more new stitch to add to my known stitches list.  This stitch has another name - Twisted Daisy Border Stitch

BEYOND TAST 20 - BONNET STITCH

This is again a new stitch to me.  It was fun and easy to learn and try out this stitch

TAST 19 & BEYOND TAST 19

 TAST 19 - OYSTER STITCH

This is a new stitch to learn for me.  This is like a textured chain stitch that can follow the curve well.  This can be stitched as independent one (resembles  detached chain with a texture ) or consecutively in a line or following a curve.  This creates textured petals and leaves.  

                                                      

BEYOND TAST 19 - Beaded Oyster Stitch

This is the beaded version of the oyster stitch.  This stitch is best suited as an Edging stitch.    

                                                   

TAST 18 & BEYOND TAST 18

 TAST 18 - Arrow Stitch

A new stitch to me, but a very easy one.  This can be done vertically or horizontally.  This also can be stacked up one upon the other which would create beautiful patterns.  This stitch when combined with other stitches would make  a lovely crazy quilt seam treatment.

BEYOND TAST 18 - RAISED CHAIN

This stitch is a new one to me.   Though Sharon has listed out 2 versions of this stitch, I tried only the first version.  This is a textured  stitch.  The look and feel of this stitch is so pretty, it convinced me to try out the other version too.I will be doing this shortly.  

TAST 17 & BEYOND TAST 17

 TAST 17 - Bullion Knot

This is one of my favorite stitches.  Though, the working of this stitch is a bit on the "Not so easy" side, once we get it  right, this stitch is such a beautiful one and we will be using this quite often.

This stitch creates a textured effect on the surface of the fabric.  This is a pretty  stitch for creating roses .  Varigated thread colors bring out much more beauty in these bullion roses.  I have tried creating bullion roses, bullion rose bud , a CQ seam treatment  combining bullion knots and feather stitch and some flowers.  

                                           

BEYOND TAST 17  - Buttonhole Picot

I skipped this stitch challenge , as the stitch was not that appealing to me.  I did not find any unique visual differentiation between this and Buttonhole stitch.

TAST 16 & BEYOND TAST 16

 TAST 16 -CORAL STITCH

This is a new stitch to me.  I feel good to learn new stitches.  I tried working out this stitch, with threads of different thickness.  I imagined, an awe struck sea turtle swimming around a coral reef and stitched it.  :)-  .

This stitch follows around the curve very well. 

                                                     

BEYOND TAST 16  - WRAPPED CORAL STITCH

This is a variation of the coral stitch which creates a knotted outline.  I tried stitching a flower with this stitch.

 

TAST 15 & BEYOND TAST 15

 TAST 15 -  Butterfly Chain Stitch

This is one of my least favorite stitches.  Though the working of this stitch is pretty easy and simple, I somehow struggle to make uniform stitches of same length and uniform spacing between each cluster.   May be I should mark the points in pencil before I start the stitches.

I tried to play around with different thickness of anchor stranded cotton floss and perl cotton thread in the below sample.

BEYOND TAST 15 - SPANISH FEATHER STITCH

I learnt this stitch some 10+ years ago and duly forgot the name of the stitch.  I remembered this stitch a couple of years back and wanted to stitch, but got lost , totally forgetting the name and the method of working of this stitch.  Sincere thanks to Sharon for choosing this stitch for the TAST Challenge.

I tried playing around with this stitch in stranded cotton floss and perl cotton thread in different thickness.

TAST 14 & BEYOND TAST 14

 TAST 14 - Cable Chain

This is a fun and pretty variation of the chain stitch.  I always remember the iron chains whenever I see this stitch.   When I was a small girl, me and my friend (we both had the same names) used to go to our neighbor's garden and used to swing to our heart's content with our endless chatting.  I stitched this piece in memory of those days.

BEYOND TAST 14 - Buttonholed Cable chain

Initially a row of cable chain stitch is made followed by stitching (without pricking fabric) buttonhole stitches within the cable chain foundation.   This stitch creates a scallop pattern.  Alternating buttonholed cable chain is a simple variation of this stitch. I tried this alternating variation in a circle. 

TAST 13 & BEYOND TAST 13

 TAST 13 -  Buttonhole Wheel

This is one of my favorite stitches.   A very simple and quick one, useful in creating flowers and leaves.  This stitch can be used to create circle, semi circle, quarter circles which can be used as a pretty crazy quilting seam treatment when combined with other stitches.

BEYOND TAST 13 - Buttonhole wheel cup.

This stitch is an extension of Buttonhole wheel.  A foundation is made with a buttonhole wheel, followed by working the button hole stitch in the outer edge.  These buttonhole stitches can be stitched , more than once to create beautiful textured stitch.

 

TAST 12 & BEYOND TAST 12

 TAST 12 - CRETAN STITCH

Cretan Stitch is one of the beginner stitches.  

In the first row, I have worked a row of Cretan stitches followed by second row of cretan stitches by turning the fabric upside down and aligning the stitches, to give the appearance of the hexagon shape

In the second row, I have tried to stack cretan stitches one row upon the other.

In the third row, the cretan stitches are worked with long arms, to contain in between cretan stitches with a different color thread

In the fourth row, the sizes of the cretan stitches are varied according to the design line.

Cretan stitches are also used in Crazy Quilting Seam Treatments.

BEYOND TAST 12 - Looped Cretan Stitch

A new stitch for me to learn.  Happy to get introduced to this stitch.  I tried to add beads in this stitch.  Floral and leafy wines can be created with this stitch.

TAST 11 & BEYOND TAST 11

 TAST 11 - French Knot

I love French Knots so much.. I find this stitch  easier to do.  I love to run over my hands on this textured french knots and feel them.  Few years back, I had seen an embroidered garden entirely worked out of French knots..  This memory became the inspiration behind my french knot sampler.  I have used different colors of anchor stranded cotton floss and DMC perl cotton thread.  Some of the knots are made with a single wrap, most of them are made with two wraps and very few of them with three wraps.  I was indeed happy to look at my finished french knot sampler .

                                       

BEYOND TAST 11 -  PISTIL STITCH

This stitch is just the same as the French Knot, but with the addition of little tail to the knot.   I tried pistil stitch and created a small mandala.  

TAST 10 & BEYOND TAST 10

TAST 10 -CHEVRON STITCH

This stitch is a very simple and easy one.  The length of the stitch can be varied or the stitches can be stacked upon .  This stitch can be used as a border stitch and in CQ seam treatments.

 

BEYOND TAST 10 - Inverted Feather Stitch

This stitched is a new one to learn.   This can also be used to couch down thicker threads and ribbons.