Module 2 - How does your garden grow? Chapter Three - Threads and Stitches.

 

Threads

I have quite a large variety of threads and they have been sorted into colour boxes.  What a difference it makes in finding a specific colour when trying to decide what to use.   However, I always seem to need a colour that I don’t have!!!   I am also enjoying using variegated threads.  I don’t have many but they are fun to use!!!  I spend a lot of time deciding what to do and then the actual stitching takes such a little time!!!  Not like hand embroidery!!!

Stitches

Page 1    Vermicelli  -  I noticed that I did get boxed in a couple of times.  Also, the bit on the right was my practice piece.  I like the variegated thread on the black felt!!!  This piece showcased larger curves.

Fabric – black felt

Stabilizer – black upholstery dust cover fabric

Threads -  top – 100% Rayon (20D/2) – variegated  – colour -  Carnivale – Thread Studio

      Bobbin – Aurifil – 100% cotton – violet        

 

The second Vermicelli  piece showcased smaller curves and I stitched this on polycotton that had been transfer painted. Again there are a couple of breaks in the stitching as well as some of the curves are touching other curves.

Fabric – transfer painted poly cotton

Stabilizer – Black felt

Threads – top 100% rayon (20D/2) – variegated – colour -  Ironbark – Thread Studio

Bobbin thread – Aurifil – 100% cotton -  green

 

Page 2  - Vermicelli continued -  this time I used a medium width zigzag near the top and then a wider zigzag in the middle. For the bottom third I used 4 different automatic stitches – 2 flower stitches, small bars that are side by side, and the stitching zigzag.  This last section was not easy to do as I kept stitching into the curves.  Makes very interesting meandering patterns!!! 

Fabric – hand painted cotton fabric from my stash

Stabilizer – black upholstery dust cover fabric

Threads – Premium Sulky 100% cotton -  variegated violet to red violet

Bobbin thread – light green

 

Page 3  -  Vermicelli continued.  I used a white textured velvet with a variegated thread (I seem to like variegated threads!!!  I soon will have to get more variety!!)

Fabric – textured velvet

Stabilizer – black upholstery dust cover fabric

Threads – Rayon 100%  (20/D2) – variegated colour – Carnivale  - Thread Studio

Bobbin – Medium green

 

Page 4  -  Granite stitch. This stitch is tiring and somewhat difficult to keep the stitching moving forward.  I took your advice and set a steady speed for the machine and then slowly moved the piece in circles.

For my first piece I chose a flower picture from page 1 of chapter 2 in this module. I had to draw the image on top to be able to follow the lines.  I did this by stitching an outline from the back as we did for another piece in another chapter.     I again chose a variegated thread for the flower and a copper metallic thread for the centre. The blue enhanced the flower.  I like the black outline of the flower petals. 

I liked this piece.

Fabric – black felt

Stabilizer – black upholstery dust cover fabric

Threads -  Rayon 100% – variegated (no label);   Mettler Polyester 100% – colour light blue # C672;  WonderFil Mettallic – colour bronze  # MT 7722.

Bobbin – black and light blue

 

Page 5 – Granite stitch continued.  This time I used a piece of 100% cotton fabric painted with Setacolours.  I was trying to be subtle in choosing a light background.  I don’t think there is enough action happening!!!  I just followed the hills and valleys of the piece – again with some variegated and “straight” threads!!

 

I have done a couple of things that I think may have improved the piece.  First of all, I added some yellow/orange lines of granite stitch.  I also used an orange thread in the bobbin.  Secondly, I flipped the piece.  Thirdly, I took the picture at a different time of day and I think the colours are truer to the original than the one above. 

 

Fabric – 100 % cotton fabric hand painted

Stabilizer – white felt

Threads -  Rayon 100% – variegated in medium and light red browns  (no label);    Aurifil 100% cotton – colour  # 2850 light aqua;    Rayon 100%  - embroidery – colour light rose;   Aurifil 100% cotton – colour #246 red brown.

Bobbin threads – matched the top threads

 

Page 6  -  Whip Stitch

Row 1 (left) -   used tiny stitches with a top tension of 8 and no change in the bottom tension.  From the picture below, it is hard to show the bottom thread coming through.  I believe you have the capacity to see the stitches at close hand.  if so, there is a definite showing of the bobbin thread and a pulling away of the top thread on the curves.  I should have used threads with more contrast!!!   The top thread is a rosy pink and the bobbin thread a pale yellow green.

Row 2 (middle) – In this row, I used a longer stitch length with a top tension of 8 and the bobbin with a loosened screw (I have 2 bobbins).  In this sample, there is a definite difference in the stitches with more of the bobbin thread showing on the top.  I used a pale blue in the bobbin and a bright variegated turquoise/blue top thread.    Much better display of stitches, especially on the curve. 

Row 3 (right) – I used the same tensions for the top and bobbin threads as in Row 2.  Here I don’t  think I changed the stitch length very much.  I was concentrating on making the knots of threads in the straight bits!!!   Again my colour choices are not very dramatic!!!  Light rose on the top and light blue in the bobbin.

 

Fabric – Black felt

Stabilizer – Black upholstery dust cover fabric

Threads – Row 1 – Auriful – 100% cotton – colour # 2455 rosy pink;   bobbin thread – Aurifil – 100% cotton – colour #5020 tint of yellow green (very pale)

Row 2 – Rayon 100% (120D/2) – variegated  colour Barrier Reef – Thread Studio;   bobbin thread – Guttemann 100% polyester – colour pale blue (no label)

Row 3 – Rayon 100% embroidery – colour  light rose (no label);  bobbin thread – Guttermann 100% polyester – colour pale blue (no label)

 

Page 7   Feather stitch.  For these two samples, I used an embroidery hoop and  loosened bobbin tension.   I liked the effect of the stitched circles.  When I stitched from side to side, the bobbin thread came to the surface much easier than when I was stitching up and down!!  The fabric was somewhat distorted when released from the frame.  Still lots of bobbin thread appeared on the top!!! 

Fabric – unbleached cotton

Stabilizer – lightweight polyester interfacing.

Threads – Rayon 100% (120D/2) – variegated colour Indian Splendour – Thread Studio;    bobbin thread - Aurifil 100% cotton – colour #2235  orange

Page 8 – Feather stitch continued.  Similar to the piece on page 7.  I liked the effect of the variegated thread coming up from the bobbin! 

Fabric and stabilizer the same as the sample on page 7.  The threads are also the same, however, the variegated thread is in the bobbin and the orange thread is on top.

Page 9  -  Moss Stitch.

I used an embroidery hoop and the top thread tension was tight at 8 and the bobbin thread tension was very loose.  Here I used a filament thread (100% nylon mono-thread) for the top thread.

In the bobbin,  I used a variegated 100% cotton thread for the flower and the loops that formed were fantastic (here I moved the fabric sideways rather than up and down and there were more loops).

For the leaves I used a 100% rayon thread (another variegated) in the bobbin and the loops were not as evident …. a bit more slippery and so stayed near the surface.  I did vary the top tension from 4 to 8.

For the center of flower, I stitched tiny circles in a bright variegated thread. 

When I took the piece out of the frame, there was quite a lot of distortion.  I put a piece of misty fuse and another piece of stabilizer on the back to hold the bobbin threads in place and then carefully removed all the nylon filaments. I should have taken a picture before I pulled out the nylon thread!!!   What a interesting piece it turned out to be.

Fabric – piece of painted scrim from an early age back in my life.  One of the first pieces I think I ever painted.  Was quite stiff.

Stabilizer – 2 layers of lightweight polyester interfacing

Threads – top thread – 100% nylon filament mono-thread;

bobbin threads – flower -  cotton 100% – variegated yellow/orange (no label);      centre – Rayon 100% (120D/2) – variegated  colour Carnivale -  Thread Studio;    leaves – Rayon 100% (120D/2)  -  variegated colour Indian Spendour  - Thread Studio.

 

Page 10   I chose Chinese lanterns for my final piece.

 

My drawing from above

 

Page 11   My final piece for the chapter.  The fabric is a piece of painted linen napkin.  I used an embroidery hoop.  Tight top tension at 8.

For one set of stitches, the stem, the bobbin tension was loose and for the rest of the stitches, the bobbin was set at the regular tension. 

The thread for the stem is quite dark leading the eye in a curve around the orange lanterns (moss stitch).  For the first five lanterns, the bobbin thread was a pale yellow orange.  The last one was stitched with an orange bobbin thread (feather stitch). It is definitely noticeable.  A good thing maybe!!???

I used two different blue threads for the feather stitch framing  the center piece of stem and lanterns.   

An interesting piece!!! 

Fabric – hand painted linen napkin

Stabilizer – unbleached cotton

Threads – Stem – top thread – Aurifil 100% cotton – colour #5020 2LD very light green/yellow;    bobbin thread – Rayon 100% (20D/2) – variegated colour Ironback – Thread Studio

Lanterns – top thread – Aurifil 100% cotton – colour # 7235 2CD  orange;  bobbin thread – Astra 100% polyester – colour yellow orange (no label)

Blue stitching – top thread – Aurifil 100% cotton – colour #4140 2FB medium blue;   bobbin thread – Aurifil 100% cotton – colour lighter blue (no label).

Module 2–How does your Garden Grow–Chapter 2–Making Patterns

 

I collected a lot of pictures searching through old magazines and especially calendars ( I am glad that I kept them!!!).  Also I have taken lots of photographs of flowers and seeds and seed pods. I have been working on my drawing and for the most part,  the eraser has not been used.  Again, many of my photographs have light and dark areas. 

 

Page 1    These flowers show regular patterns in the round. 

 

Page 2  More flowers with regular leaves and then a cabbage with leaves spreading out from the center.  The leaves also show irregular patterns with the veins.

 

Page 3   The flowing petals of the yellow flower could be a model for the tassel in Chapter 5.  I like the crinkling edges of the violet primula flower along with the regularity of the petals.  The pleated seed pods (?) have an interesting texture to them. 

 

Page 4   The columbine on the left could be another example for the Tassel.  The spikey aspect of the thistle is interesting and shows possibilities for machine embroidery. 

 

Page 5   This page shows a variety of seed pods.  The top  drawing is the attachment end of a fir cone (not a fire cone)!!!   I am allowing so many of my garden flowers to go to seed.  I am enjoying what appears and I am taking lots and lots of photographs. 

 

 

Page 6   Tree trunks are an inspirations for stitching along with weathered rocks and dried up mud!!!  

 

Page 7  Many man made structures display regular patterns . I also like the irregular pattern of the stone building. 

 

 

Page 8    More man made patterns.  I like the row of stylized frogs.

 

Page 9    There are so many patterns found in fabrics, wall papers, native art.  The two smallest pieces are half and full drop repeats!!

 

 

Page 10  These are three pieces of Chinese embroidery.  The two on the left are regular repeats while the one on the right is irregular. 

 

Page 11     Close up of the pieces above.  The centre block on the right piece shows rotational symmetry.  

 

Page 12  This Thai batik cushion  shows mirror image blocks in the centre of the four squares.  There are also very interesting repeat patterns between the blocks. 

 

Page 13  Another example of symmetry ….. somewhat more complicated. 

 

 

Page 14   More examples of irregular and regular patterns (rotational and mirror images).

 

 

Page 15   For the stamp, I chose a single geranium flower illustrated on page 10 of Chapter 1 (Module 2)  I exploded the individual pieces and left out the centre bit, as this made the stamp too big.  I also flipped the top bit 90 degrees. I cut out the pieces on soft sculpt.  I did get somewhat confused in how the pieces should lay so I numbered them and used double scotch (cello) tape to attach the drawing to the soft sculpt.  Worked like a charm.  I painted the cardboard with gesso so that there would be no warping.    The stamp (actual size below) did get a lot of use.  (The top image is the drawing that I used and the second one has the centre bit). 

For the stencil, I chose the tulip on the same page as the single geranium.  I cut out the pattern on used x-ray film (again in my stash!!)  My stencil looked more like a bug rather than a tulip!!!  I also feel that it is not a very balanced design. 

                   

Stamp                                                   stencil

 

Page 16 

For examples of stamping and stenciling I used some painted papers that I had created when I was doing a colour course.  Many times I had just rubbed the paper over the tray of paints and some of the results are below.  I then tried to coordinate some of the stamped images with the background.  I use liquid Golden acrylic paints throughout this exercise.  I did keep track of the colours I used.

This represents sliding /translational symmetry.  I just noticed from your description that I should have the distance between the prints the same size as the original image….   I did not do that!!! 

 

Page 17   

This piece represents spot repeats.

 

Page 18

On this page shows half drop repeats. (I had trouble with printing the yellow paint and so I tried to do some painting over top….  not very successful!)

 

Page 19

Half drop repeats closer together.

 

Page 20

For this piece, I used hand made paper with some leaf images. I block printed using rotational symmetry. 

 

Page 21

Stenciling!!   I had such trouble in trying to stencil.  I was using a somewhat dry brush and I had to do a lot of touchups!!!   Then I looked stenciling up on the internet on how to improve my skill.  I finally succeeded for the bottom images.  I used a small sponge (like a makeup sponge) and a clamp to squeeze the edges together to make a nice rounded surface.  I also made sure that the sponge was dry.  This was so much easier than a brush.  I was trying to portray  mirror images.  The bottom third of the piece works!!!  The rest is questionable.

 

Page 22

 

Fabric  -  transfer painted poly cotton over printed by rotating the transfer paper to give a mottled effect.  Paints used were violet, green and blue. 

Stenciled the piece with transparent Setacolor fabric paints using Oriental Red and Parma Violet.  I rotated the stencil to 180 degrees for a vertical mirror image. 

Block printed over top using the stamp in rotational pattern.  I stamped the piece with Lumiere acrylic fabric metallic paint  - The colour I used was Metallic Olive Green #562. 

Stabilizer -  felt

Threads – Aurifil cotton thread 40 weight – colours  violet (#4225) and red violet (#2535) 

    -  Wonderfil – gold metallic colour # 8858

    -  Bobbin thread – used the red violet Aurifil thread.

I decided to stitch around all the block prints.  I used two threads in the needle with gold being the constant.  I stitched a few of the prints with the lighter red violet colour. The rest were with the violet. 

The block print on the left definitly looks out of place. I should have possible put another print near to the top to balance the piece.  Basically I liked the piece!!!

 

Page 23

The Final piece for this chapter!!!

The stamp that I used for the piece.  I chose the flower in the centre.  I painted the flower with a transfer paint (I used violet and some black).  The violet was too bright for what I wanted to accomplish).  Below is the stamped piece of paper ready to be transferred to the already painted fabric. I didn’t think that there were enough stamped images so I cut out one of the images and added 4 more.  Some I made lighter in colour and some darker for a different effect.  I should have taken a picture of the stamped piece of bridal satin before I started stitching!

 

Page 24

For my stitching, I chose a single marigold.   The petal shapes were similar to the stamp I used.  Also the center was somewhat the same.

I found some pictures on the internet for inspiration which I printed out in black and white.

 

Page 25

My drawing. 

 

Page 26

The end result.

Fabric – I chose a transfer painted piece on bridal satin.  The piece is bright with yellow and blue paints coming together in places to make green.  The colour of the block print came out as a dark shade of violet.  I would have preferred a bit lighter colour and should have experimented some more. 

Stabilizer – As the bridal satin puckers quite a bit when stitched, I used a piece of tear away between the felt and the satin.  It worked quite well.

Threads – Aurifil cotton thread – violet colour #4225 (same for the bobbin).

I double stitched all the flowers. 

When I had finished, I wondered whether I should not have done fewer stampings!! Also the photograph reflections distort the piece!!  However, I still like the end result!!!