Stitch Tutorial: Rose stitch

One thing I find hard to do is small flowers. As I make lots of small cross stitch and embroidery pieces such as jewellery, I find it hard to stitch realistic flowers. Either they are very simple and too boring for the main work, or I struggle to create one that is detailed enough. I discovered this Rose stitch in The Encyclopedia of stitches, by Karen Hemingway, which I briefly reviewed in a previous post. It was exactly what I was looking for, and is the first new stitch I've tried from her book. The best bit? It's actually very simple to do and looks really pretty. But don't take my word for it, give it a go!

Rose Stitch can be used in many ways to add detail to many types of embroidery. Adjust the thread used depending on the fabric/ embroidery you are doing, for example if doing Crewel work use the same type of wool as you would for the rest of the embroidery. In the images below I have used 2 strands of DMC embroidery cotton on 28 count even weave.

Rose Stitch

Start with a French Knot to form the centre of the flower. You can either use the same or a different colour to the petals; I have used a yellow for the centre.

Using the coloured thread for the petals, bring the needle to the front of the work near to the french knot and make a single straight stitch, finishing with the French knot next to the centre of the straight stitch.  Now bring the needle back through about halfway along the first stitch, on the 'outside' of the straight stitch. Take the needle to the reverse of the fabric over the end of the first stitch, keeping the second stitch next to the French knot. Begin a third stitch from about halfway along the second straight stitch, and again end the stitch at an angle to create a web of stitches around the French Knot. Continue doing this to form a flower head. It will look a bit messy at first but keep going until you have reached the size flower you want.

It is also possible to replace the French knot at the centre for a seed bead, and stitch the petals around it. This gives a more obvious centre, but it does protrude slightly from the rest of the flower. Be careful that the first petal stitches go around the bead and don't slip under it to prevent it from popping out further. The idea is to surround the bead with the stitches so the centre is nestled amongst the petal stitches. I've finished off this rose with a couple of leaves, using lazy daisy (detached chain) stitch.

It sounds a bit complicated, but is actually really easy, so have a couple of practises and give it a go!

Happy Stitching!


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Stitch Tutorial: Cross Stitch

For some time I have been promising more tutorials, and I'm ashamed to say I simply haven't had the time. Anyway, I'm hoping this will be the start of better things and that it's the start of actually managing my tutorial challenge!

I've decided on a simple start for my first ever stitch tutorial focusing on how to stitch a cross stitch.

Cross stitch is often used in embroidery as a filling stitch. It is one of the easiest stitches, and has the advantage of either being worked as a single stitch or in rows. Some patterns also require half and quarter stitches. It is normally used on aida fabric, but can be used on evenweave or linen. Normally 2 strands of a 6 stranded embroidery cotton is used. On aida, it is normally stitched over one thread, however on finer evenweave fabrics (e.g. 28count and smaller) it is often stitched over 2 threads. Always embroider cross stitches in the same direction to create an even finish. It is advisable to use an embroidery hoop or frame to maintain an even fabric tension, although it is not essential. (I tend to prefer not to use one when stitching on aida).

 

 

Single Cross Stitch

Starting at the reverse of the fabric, bring the thread up at A and diagonally down at B. Then bring the needle through at C and back down at D to complete the stitch.

 

 Row of Cross Stitch

To stitch a row quickly, first stitch one half of each cross and on the return stitch the second. Create the first half of the stitch by coming up at A and down at B. Then stitch the first half of the second stitch by coming up at A1 and back down at B1. Repeat until the end of the row. On the last stitch of the row, after going down at B bring the thread to the right side of the fabric at C and down at D, to create the first cross. Then return to the right of the fabric at C1 and back down at D1, repeating until the row is completed.

Half Cross Stitch

These stitches are often used in charts to create finer detail. First stitch a half cross stitch, bring the thread from the reverse of the Aida at A and back Down at B. Then stitch a small diagonal stitch that finishes at the middle of the first stitch by coming up at C and down at D.

 

 

 

Quarter Cross Stitch

A quarter cross is used least commonly, normally when very fine detail is required. It involves one small diagonal stitch from on corner of the cross to the middle. Bring the thread to the right side of the fabric at the corner of the stitch at A, and return to the reverse of the fabric in the centre at B.

Enjoy practising! if you want some ideas and inspiration then head over to my Free Cross Stitch Charts or to my Free Project Tutorials.

Happy Stitching!


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Tutorial Challenge!

Probably my favourite part of reading other crafty blogs is the tutorials. I love learning how to create new things, learning different techniques and gaining inspiration from other peoples creativity. I've had an attempt at writing my first ever tutorial in December, and I was fairly pleased with it, but I think I can do better. More pictures, less words. So I am going to challenge myself to write a tutorial every week for a year. It could be project tutorials, like my embroidered birthday card, or a tutorial for a new stitch (I have a hand embroidery stitch bible and really want to learn more of them).

As well as sharing my knowledge, and hopefully giving back to others all of the things I have taken from other blogs, this challenge will help keep me inspired and help me learn loads of new things along the way, (probably with a few disasters to share with you too!).

 

Anyway, I guess I'd best get thinking of a few things to do...

 

Is there something you'd like to see? If so please leave a comment with your ideas below!

Happy Making!

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