TAST 1 - 2021 - Chain Stitch & Linked Chain Stitch

 I did not intend to do TAST this year, as the  entire 2020 was spent focusing completely on TAST stitching.  However, I realised , I have already forgotten some of the TAST stitches I learnt.  I understood a revision of these stitches is mandatory  to memorise them with my 40+ year old brain.  At the same time, I want to keep this TAST practice a simple task, just spending under 30 minutes per week.  I am not following any set pattern.  The colors and placement of stitches are going to be random 

Here is my practice piece after TAST 1.

TAST 44 & Beyond TAST 44

 TAST 44 -  Twisted Chain stitch & Rope Stitch.

Both these stitches belong to the chain stitch family.  When twisted chain stitches are worked very closely, it becomes the rope stitch.

These stitches are worked from right to left.  The first and second rows are worked in white thin perl cotton thread .   A twisted chain stitch flower in white thin perl cotton and a dark green color stem in rope stitch using thicker perl cotton thread was stitched for this sampler  The vertical rope stitches in orange and green color are created using 6 strands of anchor embroidery floss.

Beyond TAST 44 - Herringbone Square and Laced Herringbone square

Herringbone square is a much familiar stitch to me as the Kutch Embroidery work of India is based on this stitch.  This stitch is the foundation stitch in kutch work on which interlacing is done. The link for my earlier post on Indian Kutch work is here

Laced Herringbone Square is a new stitch to me.  It was  fun to learn a new way of lacing the herringbone square.

There is a difference in the way lacing is done on this stitch and that of the Kutch work.

TAST 36 & BEYOND TAST 36

 TAST 36 - FEATHERED CHAIN STITCH

Feathered chain stitch is derived from Chain stitch and in appearance it can be compared to the zig zag chain stitch.  This is a variation of long tail Chain stitch.

In the first row, I worked the stitch with a single color.

In the second row of my sampler, initially I worked this stitch with yellow color, followed by working this stitch in red color, in between the spaces created by the yellow color stitches.

In the third row ,  I have packed the stitches with 4 different colors to give a dense appearance ,as if the bark of a tree entwined in the fall color leaves before shedding them.  I have used light green, dark green, red and golden colors here.

BEYOND TAST 36 - Long Tail Chain Stitch

This is derived from Chain Stitch . As the name suggests, this stitch is tied with a long tail of the chain stitch.  This can be used to create patterns, by varying the number ,length and direction of the stitches.  

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 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 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 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 7 & BEYOND TAST 7

 TAST 7 - DETACHED CHAIN STITCH

This stitch is also known as Lazy Daisy Stitch.  It works very well and fast in creating the flowers in embroidery.  The tension of the thread is the important factor which determines the shape of the petal.  As per my observations, perl cotton thread creates beautiful stitches & flowers rather than using stranded cotton floss for this stitch.  

In the first row, I tried working 5 petal shaped followers.  The second row depicts the usage of this stitch in creating "the butterfly".   Third row is the trial of creating a 4 petals shaped flower.  A seed can be added at the tip of a long straight stitch in between the gaps of these flowers to depict a beautiful Crazy Quilt Seam Treatment.  The 4th row depicts the usage of this stitch in creating a floral spray.  In this floral spray, both the leaves and the flowers are worked with this same stitch.   

BEYOND TAST 7 - BARRED CHAIN & ALTERNATING BARRED CHAIN

This stitch belongs to the chain stitch family.  This stitch is suitable for working the thorny stems of the garden.  

TAST 1 & BEYOND TAST 1

 TAST 1 challenge is the chain stitch.  Chain stitch  is one of my favourite stitches, which I have been regularly using for more than a decade.   It is simple and easy, follows the curves very well.  Chain stitch can be used even as a filling stitch.  There are many variations of chain stitch.   The stitch comes out beautifully in perle cotton thread .  

  BEYOND TAST 1

This linked chain stitch and Beaded linked chain stitch are  new stitches to me.  Both  were fun and easy to work with.  I tried creating a beaded necklace with red perl cotton thread.  :)- 

   

Kutch work

When I was in school, I read about Mridula's Embroidery School in a monthly magazine.  I was fascinated towards embroidery reading that article.  Few years back, my wish was fulfiilled.  I got the correspondence course (which included a spiral bound book and 2 CDs) and the books remained untouched for a couple of years, waiting for their moment of shine. Some time back, I started watching the CDs and going through the book.  Slowly, got absorbed in this beautiful form of embroidery.

Kutch embroidery originated in the state of Gujarat in India.  There are two steps in each of the stitch.  First part is the framing stitches and the second part is the interlacing of these framing stitches.  The designs of Kutch work is entirely made using squares or diamonds.

To get started, I doodled the various kutch work motifs.  My doodle cloth pictures are below.

 

Then I progressed, to the simple designs.  

Then I moved on to the elaborate designs.    The dual paisley design is worked on a navy blue cotton fabric.

The below one is worked on a light blue silk fabric

The below huge (A3 size) paisley design is worked on a navy blue cotton fabric.   I am so happy with the overall outcome, the stitch choices and the choices of the thread colors for the various elements of the design.

The below small paisley design is worked on light pink satin fabric.

Overall, I enjoyed and even got addicted to this kutch work embroidery. It was very satisfying.

 I am very grateful for this youtube channel as well.  This channel's concept videos clarified many of my doubts and made my stitching time more enjoyable and easy.

TAST 8 - Chain Stitch

Hi,

Here is my work for TAST 8.

In the below flower, the filling for the leaves and the stem are done using normal chain stitch.  But the petals an d the center of the flower is done by just interlacing the chain stitches done before.  Thats the reason for the raised effect.