Sunday 25 September 2011

How to Satin Stitch a Circle

Here is the easy way to satin stitch a circle , which also gives an almost perfect embroidered circle.

1. Mark the direction of stitches as parallel lines in the circle to be embroidered .





 Start embroidering at the center of the circle , so that the first stitch corresponds to the diameter of the circle



Continue stitching towards one side . As shown in the picture below, one half of the circle is filled using satin stitch.



Here is the satin stitched circle.



Now , the finished work.




Happy stitching !!!!



                          

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Crochet Tips 'n Tricks # 1

Finishing the Crochet : Yarn Ends

Working with a single yarn

Leave yarn end of at least 6-8 inches in length, when finishing the crochet project.                             
Using a tapestry weave the end through the back of the stitches for at least 1 1/2 inches, and then turn and weave in the opposite direction. Pull the end gently to allow the yarn to ease back into the stitches.             

    Working with multiple colors      
                                                                                                    
    Weave yarn ends through the same color stitches to keep them invisible.                                                 
    If weaving ends into a very open, lacy design that doesn't offer much in the way of solid fabric to work through, weave the ends through the tops of the stitches.                                                                               


    Working with two or more strands held together 
                                                                          
    Weave them in separately, and in different directions, to avoid unsightly lumps and bumps in the crochet. This also makes them more secure.


      Wednesday 14 September 2011

      Crochet Floral Bookmark

      I have always wanted to crochet a bookmark and wished the pattern to be simple and less time consuming , yet beautiful. When I got this pattern , I knew this was the one .






       I really like the double layer petal appearance of the floral part of the bookmark.



      You can find the pattern for this lovely bookmark here (Easy Shell Bookmark)

      Happy Crocheting .


      Sunday 11 September 2011

      Basic Embroidery Stitches : Satin Stitch

      Satin stitch, also known as Damask stitch is used exclusively for filling in embroidery projects.However, it has limitations in filling large areas, where few variants of satin stitch can be used.



      This is a part of an embroidery project, where I have used satin stitch for all the fillings. I really love the way the leaves have come out , especially with the distinct central vein.



      Here is another Satin Stitch project that i finished today.
      The design is from Needlecrafter


      All the fillings have done with satin stitch , except the flower , where I have used Long and short stitch.

      You can get the method of filling a circle using satin stitch here


      Have a look at the satin stitched flower bud. It has been outlined with back stitch.



      The circular center of the flower has been filled in two ways .
      The inner circle using straight satin stitch....
      and the outer circle using radiating satin stitch ( that is another way to satin stitch a circle)





      Check out the pictorial representation of how a leaf is filled using Satin stitch.

       Start from the center . Always work on lines marked that correspond the stitch direction.




      Finish one half and then head towards the other side .



      The satin stitched leaf.





      Variants of stem stitch include:  

       Surface satin stitch  : The stitch looks very much similar to the regular satin stitch , except that the needle,  after each stitch is brought immediately up again, and the thread is carried back on the upper instead of the wrong side of the fabric, so that less thread is seen or used up on the under surface of the pattern
      An advantage of  this stitch is that lot of thread is saved , esp. while using silk threads.
      The disadvantage is that the effect is not as good as the regular satin stitch. Moreover, the work is not so lasting as when it is solid.


      Brick stitch,

      Encroaching satin stitch 

      Long-and-short stitch 

      Padded satin stitch : in which shapes are filled with rows of small running stitches which are then covered with satin stitches.


      I have worked a flower with padded satin stitch, which was posted here sometime back.
      Note the raised appearance of the flower below that was worked using padded satin stitch .The leaf seen in the below picture is also worked using satin stitch.




      Find all the basic embroidery stitches here.


      Related posts :   How to Satin Stitch a Circle


      Monday 5 September 2011

      I am back after a long vacation

      PI was on a trip to my home town and was totally off anything crafty.
      I really missed my newborn blog for entire period . I am really happy to be back.
      I used this time to learn more about my new camera and shot few lovely pictures .

      I love flowers , don't you?

      Click on the images to get a fabulous enlarged view .





       The red rose 


        A close up.


       Does anyone know the names of these two plants?

                                                                        


      Have a nice day ......