Embroidery Sampler: Block #3

Welcome back to our weekly Embroidery block to accompany our Stitchery Sampler Sew Along. If you would like info on previous blocks, our supplies or general start and embroidery info, scroll back to the previous embroidery posts.

CLICK HERE to download our free embroidery sheet that you can transfer to the fabric of your choice [or use one of our starter kits while supplies last].

THE STAIRWAY BLOCK

We are working on Block #3 this week, our Stairway block, a fun zig zag feeling block that in quilting looks more complicated than it is and has a very simple construction.

The stitch we are using for this week is the HERRINGBONE STITCH.

Sophie stitched both samples (she really liked doing this stitch!).  For the Woven Fabric, she used 6 strands of floss and mimicked the drawn pattern on the sheet.
For the Quilting Cotton version, she used four strands of floss and experimented with making the stitches smaller.  She used the top and bottom of the stitch as a guide and used her own stitches as a guide to nestle the two rows.

… I am loving these so much!

A few things we found made it easier: 

  • -Don’t pull your thread too tight, keep a constant tension but don’t overpull.
  • -Experiments with your practice cloth, the number of threads, and the size of the stitch give a very different looking result.
  • -Hold your hoop so you are stitching between two parallel lines.  It will turn your block on “point” but it is easier than trying to stitch on the diagonal.
  • -If you are left-handed, use the “stab method” for best results.

Here is a good resource:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=128&v=Cysb2KK29dA&feature=youtu.be

Guide of Stitches So Far:

Week 1: Back Stitch with 3 strands and French Knots

Sashing: Stem Stitch with 3 strands

Week 2: Granitos with 3 strands

Week 3: Herringbone Stitch with either 6 or 4 strands [see above]

… Sophie is going to be a seasoned stitcher before I am!!

HERE ARE SOME GREAT VIDEO RESOURCES FOR STITCHES:

Granitos Stitch: Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=128&v=Cysb2KK29dA&feature=youtu.be

Back Stitch… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ_wVC84UmM&feature=emb_title

Stem Stitch… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TebgWq9AqyY&feature=emb_logo

French Knots… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Cq24d5-8s&feature=emb_logo

Herringbone Stitchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JyFBXtsO34&t=4s

Each week we will share what stitches we have chosen and show you our progress and Sophie’s too!

Stitching samples and photos by Susan Vaughan.

About The Author

joanna@figtreequilts.com