Redwork

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The popularity of Redwork , a form of em- pieces of white cotton fabric with a simple de- broidery done with red thread over the sign stamped on it along with red thread for a white fabric, peaked somewhere around the penny. So, these were called ‘penny squares’. 1880s. The reason - silk was a costly mate- These were used to do Redwork and were put rial during the time, and cotton was cheap together to make covers for beds and quilts. as well as available in plentiful. So, the peas- Schoolgirls and orphans were taught Red- ants and the middle-class household used work as was almost an essen- cotton fabric to make embroidery and dec- tial part of a woman’s lifestyle in those days. orate their homes. Around this time, a new Embroidery was also taught in the schools of colorfast thread of red color came to be England. One of the schools that helped pop- popular. This thread is a unique manufac- ularize Redwork is the Kensington School of ture from the country of Turkey, came to England. The Stem , one of the main be called Turkey Red. Ladies were ready stitches used, even came to be known as to even pay a little extra to buy this thread. the South Kensington Stitch as a result of it! They then began to make outlining patterns Redwork began to see a decline as more vari- exclusively with this red thread. Around ety of colorfast thread came into availability. 1850’s Redwork traveled to America, where Such access to a variety of better threads in it was used more for purposes. the open market encouraged experimenting From about the 1860s to around the 1920s, with different kinds of stitches and embroi- schoolgirls were taught this form of embroi- dery forms, leaving Redwork behind.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Sample

Redwork

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Fern Stitch

Also known as : Punto de Helecho [ES], Point de Fougère [FR], Bäumchenstich [DE], Punto Felce [IT], Ponto Pé de Galinha [PT] Stitch category : Line stitch, Used in : - borders and fillings, Cross stitching, You need to know : Straight Stitch

ern Stitch is an excellent example of how Straight Stitches can be combined in different angles Fand series to create attractive patterns. A series of three stitches are placed to resemble a fern leaf, making it great for plant patterns and designs. Use it to make beautiful borders and combine it with embellishments. Let’s work over three parallel and curved stitch lines.

Start over the second stitch Next, bring the needle out Go in through B again. This 1 line. Bring the needle out 2 through C, a point on the first 3 finishes a set of three Straight from A and take it in through B. stitch line. C is a little higher than Stitches. the point B (about 45 degrees). Go in through B and come out through D.

Bring out through E and back A finished portion looks like 4 in to B. Follow the illustration 5 this. to continue.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Split Back Stitch

Also known as : Puntada Partida [ES], Point Arrière Fendu [FR], Gespaltener Rückstich [DE] Stitch category : Line stitch, Straight stitch , Filling stitch Used in : Surface embroidery - outlining and filling, Needlepoint You need to know : Back Stitch

his stitch looks similar to the Split Stitch, but flatter on the fabric. We follow the Back Stitch Ttechnique, but split through the previous stitch each time, and that explains the name. To make the stitching easier, double the layer of the thread before stitching, instead of keeping it in a single layer. Or, use even number of strands to make the split even. You cannot use Perle Cot- ton for this stitch.

We start with a Back Stitch. Now, like a normal Back Bring the thread out through 1 Make a stitch A-B. Bring the 2 Stitch, take the needle towards 3 D and take it in through C by needle out from C. A and then, splitting through the splitting the stitch. Continue this stitch A-B, take the needle in, near to finish the design. Keeping the A or A itself. thread double, will help in splitting easily.

The stitch would look like this. It looks similar to the Split Stitch with 4 a slight chain like effect.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Outline Stitch

Also known as : Puntada de Contorno [ES], Point de Contour [FR], Umrissstich [DE], Punto di Contorno [IT], Ponto de Cotorno [PT] Stitch category : Line stitch, Straight stitch Used in : Surface embroidery - outlining and filling, Needlepoint,

s the name suggests, this stitch is used to mark outlines of a pattern. It is a flexible stitch that Acan follow easy curves. Many times, it replaces the Stem Stitch, which looks similar to the Outline Stitch. The Outline Stitch is much smoother in appearance than the Stem Stitch.

Bring out the thread through A and in through B. Take the needle 1 backward and bring the thread out through C. Make sure the point C lies about halfway through A-B.

Also, note that C lies below the stitch A-B. This crucial point makes 2 it different from the Stem Stitch. Go in throughD . Try to mark D in such a way that the point B will lie half way through C-D. Come out through B. The stitch pointB will be at the bottom of the previous stitch.

3 A finished row of Outline Stitch lies like this.

Good to Know...

The Outline Stitch resembles the Stem Stitch with a subtle dif- ference. In the Stem Stitch, the gap between each stitch is slight- ly evident, unlike in the Outline Stitch. Also, the Stem Stitch follows a pattern where the needle comes out from the top of the previous stitch, while in an Outline Stitch, it comes out from the bottom of the last stitch.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials

Also known as : Tambour Stitch [EN], Punto de Cadeneta [ES], Point de Chaînette [FR], Kettenstich [DE], Punto Catenella [IT], Ponto Cadeia [PT], Kedjestygn [SV] Stitch category : Line stitch, Looped stitch Used in : Surface embroidery - outlining and filling, Needlepoint

he Chain Stitch is the most basic and simplest of the stitches in this family. It gives a chain-like Tappearance or can feel like petals lined up one after the other. It can follow curves easily, and is used in numerous worldwide.

Bring the thread out through Now, take the thread around Pull out the needle now to 1 A. Put the needle back in A 2 the needle from right to right 3 tighten the loop and you will and bring it out through the point to form a loop. get the first part of the chain. B, but don’t pull the needle out completely.

Now, put the needle in through Keep on with this procedure 4 B, from inside the loop, and 5 to finish the design. bring it out as shown. Continue by looping the thread around the needle to form the chain.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Lazy Daisy

Also known as : Detached Chain Stitch / Single Chain Stitch [EN], Punto de Margarita [ES], Point de Bouclette [FR], Margeritenstich [DE], Punto Margherita [IT], Ponto Margarida [PT], Plattsöm [SE] Stitch category : Isolated stitch, Looped stitch Used in : Surface embroidery

his is often used to make petal designs and small floral patterns. Lazy Daisy is one of the -ex Ttremely easy stitches. This stitch need not be limited to just petals and leaves but can be used for more complicated designs too. Let’s make petals of a flower using Lazy Daisy. Make a small circle on the fabric to work the stitch around.

Bring the thread out through Pull out the needle out to A single Lazy Daisy loop 1 A, which lies on the ring. 2 tighten the loop just enough. 3 looks like this. Put in the needle near A and bring Take the needle in just outside the it out through the point B, and chain to anchor it down and finish loop the thread around the needle, the Lazy Daisy Stitch. like we would in the Chain Stitch.

If you work around the ring with more Lazy Daisy Stitches, you end 4 up making a daisy flower! Note that I have used a multicolored thread for this illustration.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials French Knot

Also known as : Punto de Nudo Francés [ES], Point de Noeud [FR], Knötchenstich [DE], Punto Nodini [IT], Ponto de Nó Francés[PT], Franska Knutar [SE] Stitch category : Stand-alone stitch, Used in : Surface embroidery - motif and fillings

rench Knot is one of the easiest of all knots. Interestingly, however, it is often known as one of Fthe trickiest and most agonizing stitches, so that learners often get intimidated by this stitch. I feel it is only a matter of the fingers getting used to handling it. You use both hands to do this stitch, so I would advise you to read the tips given on the previous page to make a great French Knot. It might take a few tryings before you understand the right tension and have a successful French Knot. Once you get it, you will be addicted to this beautiful stitch.

Bring out the needle through Now, place the needle close Keep the longer end of the 1 A. 2 to the fabric. Wrap the thread 3 thread pulled with your around it twice, as shown. fingers while putting the needle back in a point just close to A and NOT through A.

Pull down the needle through the fabric. You will see your first French 4 Knot formed.

Good to know...

If you are holding the needle in your right hand, wrap the thread and keep it pulled with your left hand until you pass the needle through the fabric completely. Doing this ensures the tension of the wrap is maintained and does not loosen down in the pro- cess. If this is difficult, try this - after wrapping the thread, turn the needle around about 180° and then put it near A.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Plucked Knot

Stitch category : Stand-alone stitch, Knotted stitch Used in : Surface embroidery - motif and fillings

he Plucked Knot is very tiny, generally used to tie off a stitch at the fabric's back. This stitch can Tbe an easy replacement for the French Knots for those who find the latter difficult to do. Based on how you pass the needle back into the fabric, you can achieve a smooth surface, reminding you of a Cowry shell.

Bring the needle out through Now, pluck a bit of the fabric, Wrap the thread around the 1 the fabric. 2 as shown. 3 needle twice or even thrice.

Pull out the needle completely Next, take the needle back in The finished Plucked Knot 4 to get a knot like this. While 5 through the fabric through 6 will look like this. pulling out the needle, you can the same spot from where you hold hown the wraps between your came out from, or at least a spot fingers to keep it near to the fabric, very close to it. if required.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Cross Stitch

Also known as : Punto de Cruz [ES], Point de Croix [FR], Kreuzstich [DE], Punto Croce [IT], Ponto Cruz [PT], Korsstygn [SV] Stitch category : Stand-alone stitch, Straight stitch, Line stitch Used in : Surface embroidery, Neeldepoint

his stitch is popular because of the popularity of Cross Stitch Embroidery, which is done over Teven weave fabric. This tutorial is just to show how this stitch can be used on a plain fabric as well for fillings and decorating. A row of Cross Stitch can also form interesting base for weaving variations. Let us work between two parallel stitch lines.

Come out from A, go in Finish off the stitch by taking You can make a continuous 1 diagonally through B. Then, 2 it in through D. That makes 3 row by coming out form B, come out from C, a point directly one Cross Stitch. in through E, out from D and out under A. from F.

Keep on with this process. A row of Cross Stitch will 4 5 appear like this.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials Double Cross Stitch

Also known as : Leviathan Stitch, Smyrna Cross Stitch [EN], Punto de Cruz Doble [ES], Point Croix Double [FR], Doppelter Kreuzstich [DE], Punto Croce Doppio [IT], Dobbelt Korssting [NO] Stitch category : Stand-alone stitch, Straight stitch, Line stitch Used in : Surface embroidery, Neeldepoint

his stitch will remind you of a star. The name comes from the use of two over T each other. The Double Cross Stitch can be done beautifully over even weave fabric and used in Cross Stitching. Still, here, we will show how it can be done over a regular fabric as well. Let us work between two parallel lines.

Follow the alphabetical markings, to make a Cross Stitch and another 1 cross over it.

A single Double Cross Stitch will look like this. You can also continue 2 to make a row by coming out from one end of this stitch and following the same procedure. Make sure that ends of each double cross meets the others.

3 A row will look like this.

Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials