Christmas in January

January 24, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Come on, you knew today had to be Christmas, since we've celebrated almost every other fall holiday the past couple weeks.

Today's small stitch is a really cute darning stitch, a technique I love. Unlike most of my go-to darning stitches, this one is on the diagonal. And it's great. I need to do this more.

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 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. — 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.

As a reminder, darning stitches are similar to running stitches, where you begin at one edge and weave your way up and down across to the opposite edge, whether that is on the horizontal, vertical or, like today, diagonal axis. Unlike traditional stitches with a crisp, wrapped edge, darning stitches are much smoother across their respective path.

Darning stitches are great for areas that you want to soften a bit, or want to have some of the beautiful painting show through. I (over)use darning stitches for floors and walls, skies, sand, or tree trunks, to name just a few. Today's stitch is illustrated as a background for Mile High Santa.

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!

Thanksgiving in January

January 17, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Last week was Halloween so, of course, this week is Thanksgiving, right?

Today's stitch comes from an apron on a vintage Melissa Shirley Thanksgiving stand-up. It's a wonderful balance of open, interesting, and sweet.

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

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

I recommend adding the gray lines first. Fill the smaller diamond with a single Upright Cross, followed by four Upright Crosses in the larger diamond. The stitched sample uses DMC Perle Cotton #8 with Shimmer Ribbon as the accent thread (on 18-mesh).

I love the mix of thread finishes in the stitched sample. The single hue makes for a classic look. Along these lines, I see this stitch (and single hue combo) as perfect for a shirt, field of grass or dirt, tablecloth, clouds, maybe even water. It strikes the right balance between open and full coverage stitches, allowing the shading to play a role in your final stitched piece.

Mixing colors and finishes would make this a great stitch for more dramatic clothing such as a coat or dress. I imagine the gray lines with a rich red velvet, the group of four Upright Crosses in a deep red metallic, and the single Upright Cross in a gold or silver metallic. Try it for a roof or basket with Rainbow Linen for the diagonal lines, Straw Silk for the single Upright Cross, and an overdyed Perle Cotton for the group of four Upright Crosses. Just a few thought-starters for you!

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 will be announced later this week, so stay tuned!

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

Halloween in January

January 10, 2018 whimsicalstitch

The blog posts for the remainder of the month unveil a secret about me. I've been negligent in returning my Christmas decorations...okay, some Halloween decorations as well...to storage. The good news for me is I didn't have to scrounge for stitched samples. The good news for you is today is Halloween!

Today's stitch is illustrated as a background for a vintage Melissa Shirley Halloween ornament.

It is very simple. The core stitch element is five straight stitches six rows high (on the vertical). After the core elements are complete, add an accent thread across the top in the middle on the horizontal axis. Voila! Perfect background, floor, wallpaper, basket, dress...even a large window!

The stitched sample uses DMC Perle Cotton #8 with Shimmer Ribbon as the accent thread (on 18-mesh).

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 later this month, so stay tuned!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy! And happy, happy 2018!

Or Not

January 3, 2018 whimsicalstitch

Welcome to a new year of #whimsicalwednesdays! Let's kick off the year with open stitches, sparkly threads, and beads, shall we?

Let's start with the first stitch. The stitch is connected octagons with all sides over two rows. While I am aware the primary shape is the octagon, I see the diamonds first, hence the name.

This version would be great for nature, especially areas that don't need a heavy stitch. Think water, sky, clouds. It's a wonderful way to show off the canvas painting. The stitched sample uses Sparkle! Braid for a sky on 18-mesh.

Make it the "Or Not" version by adding an Upright Tied Cross in the center and a bead inside the diamond. It's really something, especially when you mix threads and add beads. A stitcher friend shared a wonderful sample with me.

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

The first stitched sample uses Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid for the diamonds, Rachel for the Upright Tied Cross, and a Sundance Bead. It's exquisite and inspiring. She is using it for a large flower petal. It would be great for clothing, especially dresses or dramatic coats. Replace the bead with an Upright Cross and change the focus to matte threads, such as Pepper Pot, Gloriana Silk Floss, or even Straw Silk, and you would have fantastic greenery.

The second stitched sample is an illustration of thread weights. The sample includes Soie D'Alger and a Sundance Bead. The octagons are two plies of Soie D'Alger and the Upright Tied Cross is a single strand of the same Soie D'Alger. I love the lightness of it. And the shading shines through beautifully.

These stitch diagrams, 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 later this month, so stay tuned!

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy! And happy, happy 2018!

Boom!

December 27, 2017 whimsicalstitch

I'm ending December with a bang. And by bang, I mean another fabulous large stitch. Today's stitch is a riff on my recent obsession with layered stitches and diamonds.

I assembled this stitch for the background on a large Santa stand-up. The stitch provides combines lightness with clean lines that could work as a sky, roof, even still water. The stitched sample uses includes Princess Pearl (narrow gray lines), with Flair (dark gray lines), and Kreinik 1/16" metallic ribbon (turquoise lines). The stitch sequence is light gray lines, followed by the dark gray lines, and end with the turquoise lines.

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. Ten new stitch concepts will be added in mid-January!

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

Sweet Scallops

December 20, 2017 whimsicalstitch

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.

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!

You're So Tall

December 13, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Today's stitch is an easy and quick stitch that offers an elegant and clean alternative for an open background.

I prefer the open centers, as the diagram illustrates. The horizontal accent adds a little something something. It is certainly not essential. It's also an opportunity to add contrasting thread, whether that is color, finish, or both.

If you are #teamfullcoverage, feel free to fill the centers with long vertical stitches. As with the accent, I encourage you to use a contrasting thread. The stitched Prescencia Finca Perle 12 with Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) on 18 mesh.

The height of each diamond makes this a uniquely large stitch. To get true mileage out of it, I recommend it for a background or another comparable tall space. It would work on a tall area, such as a coat or dress, the chest of a bird, or a tablecloth. Flip it 90 degrees on its side and it would work very well for a wide area, such as a tabletop or floor. Have fun with it.

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, including over ten new Stitch Concepts in mid January!

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

Start Big!

December 6, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Welcome to December! All but one of the stitches this month come from work I've done on Stitch Concepts (guides I write to accompany a formal embellishment class at a local store). I want to share them with you so you can play with them as well.

We begin with the combination of Diamonds and Chevrons. And it's a big stitch!

Honestly, this came to be because I wanted to do something different for a background. I knew it needed to be large and I wanted to do something I hadn't seen. I wasn't planning on adding the Upright Crosses in the diamonds but that space called out to be filled...and what a perfect way to add a contrasting color or finish (or both as I did in the stitched sample).

This stitch was created for a large solid colored background. It would be beautiful behind a floral still life. This stitch would work well for architectural elements such as a floor, wall, or even a roof. You could scale it down a little by reducing the height of the vertical connectors. Those connectors are four rows high in the diagram (and sample). Reduce them to two rows high, resulting in a more compact and useful design. I can see that version as clothing or even glass/windows.

On a side note, diagramming and stitching this reinforced how deceptive diagrams can be. As I was working on the diagram, I honestly thought this stitch may not be feasible as it would be too large. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it fit. It's even more of a shock with small stitches. They look so BIG in diagrams, yet they aren't.

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

Twinkle Season

November 29, 2017 whimsicalstitch

It's the most sparkly time of the year! Today's stitch comes from my Christmas tree. Literally.

I combined bugle beads and a small pearl for a fun take on a Parisian stitch for the white stripes on a Melissa Shirley ornament. I strongly recommend adding the beads on the horizontal axis. Start with the bugle beads and end with the pearls. This would be darling with mixed colors.

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

Nothing Wrong with More Diamonds

November 22, 2017 whimsicalstitch

Welcome to more diamonds. While I love the stitch, this post is really a story of threads.

Take a close look at the stitched sample. It is an interesting exercise in thread weights and distinct finishes.

The parallelograms surrounding the 6X6 diamonds are two different grays on the diagram and two different matte threads on the stitched sample. The dark gray lines represent DMC Perle Cotton and the light gray line represents Vineyard Silk. The diamond is filled with two different metallic threads. The aqua lines are Shimmer Ribbon and the teal lines are Kreinik Metallics Tapestry Braid (#12).

This is not the only way to stitch this stitch. Feel free to stitch the parallelograms in a single thread. Depending on which part of the stitch (the parallelograms or the diamonds) you want to pop, adjust the thread weights accordingly. Consider metallic parallelograms with velvet diamonds. Try two different colors of a matte thread for the parallelograms with one color (but two threads) for the diamonds. There are so many things you can do with this stitch. It's great for any number of large areas...large fruit (as illustrated in the stitched sample), clothing, baskets, roofs, or floors, just as thought-starters.

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

#whimsicalwednesday blog