TAST 6 & Beyond TAST 6 2021 - Herringbone Stitch & Raised close Herringbone

 Here is my 2021 sampler after adding this week's stitches.

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 41 & BEYOND TAST 41

 TAST 41 - Closed Herringbone Stitch / Double Back Stitch / Shadow Stitch

    As the name suggests, Closed Herringbone stitch is just a variation of Herringbone Stitch.  In the back side of the fabric, this stitch creates two back stitch lines.  Hence this is also called as Double Back Stitch.

    This stitch is predominantly used in traditional Indian shadow work named "Chikankari".  This is very popular in and around Lucknow.   In Chikankari, the closed herringbone stitch is worked on the wrong side of a thin , see through cotton transparent fabric, so in the right side of the fabric you would be seeing the double back stitch along with the shadow of the closed herringbone stitch in the backside.  

In the sampler below,  the first row is worked with the DMC perl cotton thread.

  The second row (blue waves) are worked with 3 strands of anchor embroidery floss.

   The  third row is worked in reverse manner where the closed herringbone is in the wrong side of fabric and the double back stitch is in the right side of the fabric.

  My earlier chikankari work with the double back stitch can be seen here

I do have a pretty chikankari salwar suit in pink color.  Double back stitch has been  worked in the black color thread in this suit.

                                                        

                                                      

BEYOND TAST 41 - Fancy Bobbin Edging

This stitch is derived from the buttonhole stitch.  The first step  is to work the buttonhole stitch followed by sliding the needle under the vertical line created by the buttonhole stitch. This creates a knot in the base of the stitch.

When I stitched with 2 or 3 strands anchor embroidery floss, it just looked exactly like the buttonhole stitch.  I could not make out the tiny knot created.  So, thicker threads are suitable for this stitch.   I dont think I would be using this stitch in my future projects.  I would be  using buttonhole stitch rather than this stitch. 

 

   

TAST 39 & BEYOND TAST 39

 TAST 39 - Fancy Herringbone Stitch

This stitch is new to me.  It was fun to explore this stitch.  Initially, a foundation of herringbone stitches are worked followed by working upright cross stitches at the crossings of each herringbone stitch.  Then lacing of each of these cross stitches is done. The lacing of these stitches reminds the way we write down number 8.  :)-.

In the first row, the foundation herringbone was worked with 2 strands of light green anchor floss .  This does not show up much after doing the lacing.

In the  third row, the lacing is done with 6 strands of anchor embroidery floss.

BEYOND TAST 39 - Triangular Feather Stitch

This one too, is a new stitch for me.  This belongs to the feather stitch family.   This stitch reminds me of the Turkman Stitch which was done a few weeks back in TAST 2020.   

                                              

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 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 8 & BEYOND TAST 8

 TAST 8 -  Running Stitch

This is one of the beginner level stitches in embroidery.   Its a great, simple,easy, fun and very useful stitch.  Running stitch plays a significant role in the needlework history of various countries,regions and cultures.

 Kanta embroidery which originated in the West Bengal state of India, is mainly based on this Running Stitch  .  My sampler of running stitch has some motifs from kanta embroidery and sashiko of Japan.

BEYOND TAST 8 -  TWISTED LATTICE BAND

This stitch was a new one for me , yet it was great fun to learn this stitch.   First a row of double herringbone stitches are worked followed by lacing of the stitches.  I tried to create a stack of these stitches and it created a beautiful band / border.

                                                        

TAST 6 & BEYOND TAST 6

 TAST 6 -  Herringbone Stitch

I get reminded of the English alphabet "X" whenever I do this herringbone stitch.  Its a simple stitch, yet can be applied in various ways.  This stitch can be stacked rows upon rows to create a geometrically pleasing design.  The length of the stitch can be varied to create a different appearance and application of the stitch.  This stitch could be worked for the petals of the flowers.In kutch work embroidery, this stitch is widely used.I tried to couch down blue satin ribbon with this stich.

BEYOND TAST 6 - Raised Close HerringBone

I learnt this new stitch very easily from the tutorial at pintangle.  I tried creating leaves with this stich, which turned out beautifully.  I tried to even use this stitch in geometrical shapes like triangle and semi circle.  This stitch creates a beautiful texture and fills up the design area quickly.  I will be using this stitch more often going forward.

                                                          

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 5 -Herringbone Stitch

Hi,

Here is my sampler for TAST 5.