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.

TAST 9 & BEYOND TAST 9

 TAST 9 - COUCHING

Couching is a stitch technique where in the thread, yarn or ribbon laid on the surface of the fabric is fixed with  stitches. The stitches used for fixing can be patterned to be brick like ,grid like etc

                                              

In the first row, I tried to couch white knitting yarn with embroidery floss on a brick like pattern.  The second row depicts the couching of perl cotton thread.  The third and fourth rows are the couching of ric rac ribbons.

BEYOND TAST 9 - CHAINED BAR

This is a type of couching stitch.  Very long lines of thicker thread or ribbons are stitched down in the surface of the fabric.  This forms the foundation of the stitch. On top of this foundation, zig zag chain stitch  is worked.  I have tried working out the chained bar stitches with the foundation made out of satin ribbon (row 3 and row 5).  Others (row1,row 2,row 4), the foundation is made of thicker perl cotton thread.   

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 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 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.

                                                          

TAST 5 & BEYOND TAST 5

 TAST 5 - FEATHER stitch.

This is a simple stitch, yet such a beautiful stitch.  This stitch can be used to depict under sea scenes, especially coral reef.  Also, some flower like stitches or seed beads can be added to the tip, to depict garden related foliage.

BEYOND TAST 5 - FEATHER AND CHAIN STITCH

Though, this stitch is new to me, it can be used in the same ways like the feather stitch, mainly for the wines,roots or twigs in the gardens, or for the coral reefs under the sea 

TAST 4 & BEYOND TAST 4

 TAST 4  - Stem Stitch

Stem stitch was the first ever stitch I learnt, as a beginner in embroidery .  Its an easy stitch,  and is the best stitch  to embroider the stem (as the name suggests) when the embroidery involves botanicals (trees, branches etc)

This stitch can be used as a filling stitch, as it fills the surface beautifully.  This is one of the best choice for embroidering letters & text.

I have used this stitch extensively.  So I just wanted to keep my sampler very simple.

Beyond TAST 4 - Portuguese  Stem stitch.

This stitch creates a textured,knotted stem stitch.  This stitch looks better when done in thicker threads.