Splish Splash

Today’s post is a shout-out to scallop stitches, which have been a great solution for a few areas in current projects. Today’s version is sweet, small-ish, and sassy so….it’s perfect.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched samples are me playing with Flair (black lines) and Caron Collection Snow (yellow lines). What drew me to this scallop was its motion. Most of the waves in the scallops I’ve shared with you thus far are in one direction, generally down (here, here, and here). The last one in that series of links uses the same two stitch lengths, but adding the “up” wave in today’s version really makes a difference.

I’ve used scallop stitches as water with two metallics with distinctly different feels, as illustrated above. Yet, scallops are more than just water. I’ve seen larger scallops used for a flowy skirt alternating scallops between silk floss and Flair. I have used scallops stitches for backgrounds with a single strand silk and a Kreinik Metallic.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

This Stitch Needs an IMDB Page

Today’s stitch has been hanging around in the background for far too long and it’s time for its closeup.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Yes, this stitch’s first uncredited appearance was in December 2015 and its most recent uncredited appearance was, oh, a month ago. (You can see it here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.) I used this for the water on Emma Williams Rooftops; it uses Elegance (black lines), Fyre Werks (aqua lines), and Sundance Seed Beads (yellow circles with black lines).

Scallop stitches are an unending source of inspiration. I am convinced there are too many to detail because of the the countless variations. For example, I shared simple scallop stitches a while ago (here and here), illustrating how to skip rows for a lighter look and how to combine colors for a cute background. This example shows they how small they can be and still be impactful. And, of course, you can offset rows (and also not skip rows) for a completely different look. The last example also shows a much “deeper” scallop than even today’s gorgeous example. Bottom line, you could craft a scallop to fit most spaces and tastes.

My most common uses of scallop stitches are for skies, water, and backgrounds. However, I’ve seen them used for dresses (which is adorable) with Flair, silk floss, and lightweight Kreinik. I would love to see scallops as a tablecloth hanging down the side of a table for full effect. Lastly, I think scallops would be a great roof with an overdyed Vineyard Silk.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com has a book for you! Mary’s Whimsical Stitches is a contemporary how-to collection of more than 250 stitches for stitchers regardless of skill level. The book includes updated and sequenced diagrams from this blog, all-new stitches, and a chapter on the basics of needlepoint. For more information, visit here.

whimsicalstitch.com also sells Stitch Guides and Stitch Concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, Sandra Gilmore, Purple Palm, Maggie, and Penny MacLeod, and many more. Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Please enjoy! Have a wonderful #whimsicalwednesday!

A Note about Diagrams
I use color in diagrams to make them as clear as possible.  The primary function of different colored lines is to illustrate a stitch sequence.  For example, layering of colors demonstrates you add them in that order.  They can also provide ideas on how to integrate additional threads (one line for each color).  Or, you can use the same thread for all color lines.  That's where I encourage you to use your imagination for the space you are stitching!

Confession Time

Today is a blog in two parts.  First, I'm offering up a fun Scallop Stitch with four(!) different and fun options for filling.  The second part spends a little extra time on one of the fillings.  

The stitch is a scallop stitch over three rows.  The topmost points of the scallops in subsequent rows are centered along the lowest point of the row above, creating small shell-shaped spaces in between the horizontal columns of scallops. 

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

There are four ideas to fill the empty space (from top to bottom):  Eyelet Stitch (turquoise lines on diagram, purple thread in diagram), Traditional Leaf Stitch (light gray lines on diagram, blue thread in diagram), Shell Stitch (yellow lines on diagram, white thread in diagram), Oblique Tied Stitch (aqua lines on diagram, purple thread in diagram).  Feel free to mix and match the scallops and filling stitch to your heart's desire.  The stitched sample uses Gloriana Florimell (yellow thread), Kreinik 1/16" ribbon, Kreinik Medium Braid (#16) (purple thread), and Gloriana Princess Perle (white thread). 

Personally, I like the idea of the Eyelet or Oblique Tied Stitch as a single filling.  Each offers a smidge of open work and lightness to the overall stitch.  Conversely, I like the combination of the Traditional Leaf and Shell Stitch on alternating horizontal rows.  They are very similar in shape (but not exactly the same!) and I like the alternating directions the two fillings offer.  This is all a matter of personal taste!  Mix and match to your delight.

Now it's time for my confession.  This is the first time I've included an eyelet stitch on my blog.  My confession is they make me nervous.  Today, this changes.

Eyelet stitches are adorable and I appreciate what they can add to a piece, as the added element of a larger hole draws the eye in a unique way.  And therein lies my fear...that the larger holes I create will not be identical sizes and chaos reigns.  (I have enough chaos with my new kitten.)

Here's how I navigated this for the eyelet stitch above.  A tapered laying tool is critical, as it provides more control over the size of the final hole.

Use a tapered laying tool as a guide for consistent eyelet hole sizes.  Final knotted ribbon on laying tool.  Just make sure it's tight!

Insert the laying tool in the hole from the front of the canvas and gently push it down until the hole is the desired size.  Don't remove the laying tool yet.  Tie a wide piece of a stash thread (e.g., silk ribbon) where the laying tool meets the canvas on the front, creating a guide for future holes.   

Tie the thread tight, pull the laying tool out of the hole, and complete the knot by tying it again, making sure is tight.  Move across the canvas, creating holes as needed.  Revisit any outlier holes and repeat the process if required to make the hole larger. (I recommend silk ribbon because it is not a slippery thread and will, if tied tightly, stay still on the laying tool.) 

Sometimes, you might make a hole a little too large (compared to other eyelet holes).  To make that hole smaller, use the eye end of a size 22 needle to push the canvas threads back into place.  Put the needle in the immediately adjacent hole, and gently push the needle against the canvas thread, helping nudge the thread back into place.  You may need to do this on all four sides of the hole.  It may take a couple pushes, so be patient.  You can push them back and start over again or just push in a bit to get it to the desired size.  Use your judgment.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  60 guides are currently available, with 12 new Stitch Concepts just added! Click here to see the newest guides and click here to see the entire collection.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Please enjoy!

Sweet Scallops

Today's stitch integrates a technique I often do when I feel a stitch is too predictable.  I alternate rows in height, thread, or both.  I talked about this a tiny bit in my first post about Scallop stitches.  

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Scallop stitches are cute on their own.  My preference is to include empty rows in a scallop pattern.  It emphasizes the scallop pattern and is a great way to integrate the shading of the canvas.   Another fun technique is to add rows of alternating heights to the mix.  It's cute pattern and, more importantly, it offers an opportunity to add another color or finish.  The stitched sample uses Pepper Pot Silk and Flair. 

This stitch works well for many pieces of clothing, especially dresses, coats, and pants.  It's lovely for water, especially with the directional element provided by the shape of the stitch.  It's also a current favorite of mine for vases.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 48 guides are currently available and more are in the works.  I will be posting about 15 new Stitch Concepts in mid January!  

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!