I love the satin stitch. I use it when I want to thread paint. It is rich and luscious. You can create your own image or satin stitch over a patterned fabric. It is similar to crewel work. If you add some stitches to the area you plan on satin stitching, your final stitches will be raised. This stitch is easy and allows for a lot of personal interpretation.
1. I am working over split stitches as this is the traditional method of satin stitching. It raises the edges up slightly, giving a more padded look to the final stitch. You can satin stitch without the split stitch. To begin, bring your needle up just to the outside of and very close to the split stitch.
2. Insert the needle on the outside of the opposite line of stitching. I am sorry my image is the completed stitch. Step 3 is clearer and really the same as step 2.
3. All satin stitches are basically the same as show here. Insert the needle on the outside of one line of split stitches and come up on the other side of the other line of split stitches. Very easy and a quick way to completely fill in areas of color. I recommend that your stitches are no longer than 1/4 inch or they may snag, especially on functional items. To fill in larger areas, follow the instructions below for shading stitches.
Shading Stitches are staggered satin stitches. You can use this stitch in one color to fill in a large area of color, or you can use different colors in different shades to produce a shaded area. The above image is how I use embroidery to fill in areas of color on a printed piece of cotton fabric.
1. Shading stitches are the same as satin stitches, only shorter. Each stitch you take should vary in length from the stitch next to it. This will give a softer variance in colors, as if the colors are blended.
2.When you come up to begin the next stitch, try to place this stitch between the previous stitches. This will give you even more of a blended appearance from one color to the next. You will see a lot of color changes and blended colors on the owl in the top image.
When I was a child, my mother taught me embroidery. It was fun to go over these stitches. Thanks for the tutorials. BTW, my favorite part? Your directional numbers - are hand stitched, too!
ReplyDeleteKathy, so happy you stopped by. I remember many days watching my grandma stitch and sew. I think that is why I love creating so much. It takes me back to such warm memories.
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