Stitch Sampler Alphabet: Decorative Initials in a Variety of Stitches

120 Pages·2015·87.32 MB·English

by  Mary Corbet

Stitch Sampler Alphabet
decorative initials in a variety of stitches
by Mary Corbet
i
Table of Contents
Introduction iv
Copyright iv
Guilds and Groups iv
Before You Start iv
Printing iv
How to Use this e-Book iv
Using the Letter Layout Guides v
Using the Stitch Dictionary v
Setting Up v
Fabric Size v
Transferring the Design v
Using a Hoop or Frame v
Section One: Order & Method of Stitching 1
Section Two: The Alphabet 5
The Letter A 5
Materials and Tools 5
A: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 6
The Letter B 8
Materials and Tools 8
B: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 9
The Letter C 11
Materials and Tools 11
C: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 12
The Letter D 14
Materials and Tools 14
D: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 15
The Letter E 17
Materials and Tools 17
E: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 18
The Letter F 20
Materials and Tools 20
F: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 21
The Letter G 23
Materials and Tools 23
G: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 24
The Letter H 26
Materials and Tools 26
H: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 27
The Letter I 29
Materials and Tools 29
I: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 30
The Letter J 32
Materials and Tools 32
J: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 33
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ii
The Letter K 35
Materials and Tools 35
K: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 36
The Letter L 38
Materials and Tools 38
L: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 39
The Letter M 41
Materials and Tools 41
M: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 42
The Letter N 44
Materials and Tools 44
N: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 45
The Letter O 47
Materials and Tools 47
O: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 48
The Letter P 50
Materials and Tools 50
P: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 51
The Letter Q 53
Materials and Tools 53
Q: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 54
The Letter R 56
Materials and Tools 56
R: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 57
The Letter S 59
Materials and Tools 59
S: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 60
The Letter T 62
Materials and Tools 62
T: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 63
The Letter U 65
Materials and Tools 65
U: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 66
The Letter V 68
Materials and Tools 68
V: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 69
The Letter W 71
Materials and Tools 71
W: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 72
The Letter X 74
Materials and Tools 74
X: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 75
The Letter Y 77
Materials and Tools 77
Y: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 78
The Letter Z 80
Materials and Tools 80
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iii
Z: Stitch Guide and Close-ups 81
Section Three: Stitch Dictionary 83
Backstitch 83
Backstitch, Laced 83
Backstitch, Whipped 84
Braid Stitch (Cable Plait Stitch) 84
Buttonhole Stitch: Up & Down 85
Chain Stitch 87
Chain Stitch: Backstitched Center 88
Chain: Backstitched, Laced 88
Chain Stitch: Buttonholed & Scalloped 89
Chain Stitch: Interlaced Band 90
Chain Stitch: Knotted 91
Chain Stitch: Twisted 92
Chain Stitch: Twisted, Whipped 93
Chain Stitch: Whipped 93
Chain Stitch: Whipped, Outside Only 94
Chain Stitch: Zig-Zag 94
Daisy Stitch (Detached Chain Stitch) 95
Feather Stitch 96
Fern Stitch 97
Fern Stitch, Whipped 98
Fly Stitch 99
Fly Stitch, Whipped & Decorated 99
French Knots 100
Herringbone Stitch 101
Oyster Stitch & Buds 101
Pekinese Stitch 102
Running Stitch 103
Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch 104
Stem Stitch 105
Split Stitch 106
Wheatear Stitch & Variations 106
Wheatear Stitch II - Mock Wheatear 108
Section Four: Patterns 109
Section Five: Resource List 114
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iv
Introduction
Copyright
Stitch Sampler Alphabet by Mary Corbet is published by Mary Corbet’s Needle ‘n Thread: www.needlenthread.
com. Text and images ©2015 Mary Corbet, All Rights Reserved.
This publication, in part and as a whole, is meant for personal use only and may not be copied or distributed
in any format without prior written consent from the author. Please respect my efforts to bring you valuable and
affordable needlework instruction by keeping your copy for yourself and encouraging others to purchase their
own copies.
Guilds and Groups
Needlework guilds and groups who would like to use Stitch Sampler Alphabet for group projects are welcome
to contact Mary Corbet for permission. Each member of the group must purchase a copy of the book. For groups
of eight or more, a discount can be arranged. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Before You Start
The purpose of this e-book is to give the embroiderer a variety of stitches, stitch variations, composite stitches,
and stitch combinations to work with while embroidering decorative letters.
Stitch Sampler Alphabet is made up of 26 letters embroidered with a variety of stitch variations, combina-
tions, and composites. All the stitches, combinations, and composites can be mixed and matched, so that you
can choose your favorites for the letters you want to embroider, or you can make up your own combinations for
almost unlimited variety.
Color combinations are provided for the stitched models featured in the book, but don’t limit yourself! Feel
free to choose your favorite colors and shades.
Printing
In order to assure that the letters print at the correct size (3” high), please choose “no scaling” or a similar
option in your print settings when you print any part of the PDF. To save on paper and ink, you might choose
to print only the pages that you need for your project. To save on ink, you can also change the print settings on
your printer, to print either in black and white or to print at a lower quality. One of the nice things about e-books
is that, if you want to see a photo larger (since the images are not constrained by print size) you can zoom in on
them on your computer screen.
How to Use this e-Book
The book is offered as a design and stitch guide, assuming that the embroiderer knows the basics about em-
broidery. You should know how to set up an embroidery project, how to transfer a design, how to start and end
threads, and how to block and damp stretch your finished embroidery before you frame it or finish it into an
item. If you do not know how to do these things, never fear! You can find all the basics on Needle ‘n Thread.
The e-book is divided into five sections. In Section One, you will find the method of stitching any of the let-
ters, with step-by-step photos of one letter as it is embroidered. In Section Two, you will find close up photos of
each letter, a thread list, a list of stitches used to complete the letter, and a stitch layout guide. In Section Three,
you will find a stitch dictionary, which covers instructions for all the stitches, variations, and combinations. Sec-
tion Four includes the 26 three-inch letter patterns. And Section Five is a list of resources, with places where you
can find fabric and threads.
You’ll find it helpful to read the full Introduction (this section and the next page), followed by Section One
and the first few letters of the alphabet in Section Two, to get a good idea of the order and method of work, be-
fore undertaking your first letter.
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v
Using the Letter Layout Guides
Each letter of the alphabet in Section Two is accompanied by a stitch layout guide that divides each letter into
sections. The stitch layout guide looks like this:
The numbers superimposed on the faded letter indi-
cate the order of stitching used for that letter (although
you may change the order of stitching if you wish - see
Section One: Order & Method of Stitching).
Each number corresponds with the explanation of
which stitches, variations, or combinations are used
in that area. The explanation is listed below the layout
guide.
Consult Section Three: Stitch Dictionary for stitch-
ing instructions for each stitch, variation, or combina-
tion used.
Using the Stitch Dictionary
In Section Three: Stitch Dictionary, you’ll find the stitches and techniques worked out step-by-step. The
stitches are arranged in alphabetical order. Within this PDF, if you are viewing it on a computer screen, tablet,
or compatible device, you may click on the stitch name and go directly the directions for that stitch. All links are
underlined with a light gold line.
Setting Up
Fabric Size
The designs print at 3” tall and anywhere from 2” -
4.5” wide, depending on the letter. An 8” x 8” square of
fabric is perfect for any of the letters.
Transferring the Design
Tracing is the easiest way to transfer the letter de-
signs to fabric. The patterns are presented in bold lines
so that you can trace them easily onto most light or
medium weight fabric without a light source behind
the design. For heavy or dark fabrics, using a light box
or a sunny window, tape the design down first, tape the
fabric over the design, and trace.
Using a Hoop or Frame
Using an embroidery hoop or frame will ensure best results with the stitches used in the Stitch Sampler Alpha-
bet. For many of the letters, a 4” hoop will suffice, but for wider letters like the A and the M, a 5” or 6” hoop is a
better option, if you want the whole design to fit in the hoop. Any kind of embroidery frame can be used, if you
prefer a frame.
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1
Section One: Order & Method of Stitching
In this section, we work through the process of stitching one letter of the Stitch Sampler Alphabet. You will
discover that you can change the order of stitching in any letter, but there are some sections of letters that make
more sense to embroider first, before embroidering other areas.
Before you begin stitching, decide where you want to place the Work four or five French knots for the centers of the flowers.
floral bunches on the letter. Select at least two areas of the letter These should be spaced along the line where you want your floral
that will balance each other. On larger letters, you might work bunch. Space them anywhere from 1/4” - 3/8” apart, but don’t be
more than two areas. overly concerned about the spacing - the flowers can overlap, or
The floral bunches are embroidered first, starting with the French you can leave a French knot without flower petals around it.
knots used as the centers of the main flowers. You can mark where
you want the flowers to be, or just wing it! There’s a lot of freedom
with this type of stitching.
Using daisy stitch (or detached chain stitch), work petals radiating As you switch colors of threads, don’t end the thread unless it is
around the French knots, in your choice of colors. The flowers in too short or worn out. Instead, park your threads on the side of
the center of a floral bunch should be larger, while the flowers on your work, over by the edge of the hoop or frame, out of the way.
each end of the floral bunch should be smaller, so that the bunch Just bring the unfinished working thread to the front of your fab-
tapers. ric (the arrow in the photo above points to two unfinished threads
Don’t be too concerned about perfection with the flowers - once brought to the front of the fabric), so that, if you decide to switch
you surround them with leaves and other flowers, they will look back to that color before leaving the area that you’re stitching, you
great, whether the petals are all perfectly symmetrical or not! In can continue with the same thread. This saves a lot of time and
fact, they look better when they aren’t perfectly symmetrical. You often, a lot of thread.
may find that you want to add more flowers to your floral bunch
as you fill it in. That’s fine, too!
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Continue to fill in flowers in daisy stitch until you’ve covered as Once you’re satisfied with your flowers, start adding leaves in
much of the design line as you wish with the floral bunch. green around the floral bunch, radiating in a natural direction
To add extra color and depth to the petals, add straight stitches in from the flowers. Work them between flowers and flower petals,
different shades or colors inside the daisy stitch petals. as shown above.
Don’t hesitate to overlap flower petals. The leaves can also overlap the flowers, if necessary. They can also
In bunches with more than one flower color, consider arranging be used on either end of the floral bunch to help create a transi-
the colors in a way that is not too symmetrical. For example, tion to the next band of stitching.
instead of alternating colors across the floral bunch, work two
flowers in color A next to each, one flower in color B, another in
color A, and two in color B, or whatever arrangement you think
looks best. If you avoid too much symmetry in the color layout,
the bunches will look much more natural.
For added color depth, switch to another shade of green. Add Work each floral bunch in the same manner. If the floral bunch is
more leaves in this second shade of green, and add straight stitch- near the end of a letter’s line, taper the bunch to a tip using leaves
es inside some of the previously stitched leaves. and French knots.
When you are satisfied with your flowers and leaves, add a few On some letter sections, you might work only a tiny floral bunch,
French knot accents in coordinating and contrasting colors. Work to act as a transition, or to decorate a tight loop on the letter. In
these French knots around the floral bunch and inside it, here and these cases, embroider just one or two flowers and surround them
there, among the flowers and leaves. with leaves and French knots.
If you feel that your floral bunch looks a little darker than you’d
like, use the French knots to brighten it up, by choosing the
lighter and brighter colors in your color palette. For example, if
you add yellow French knots inside and around the flowers, this
will brighten the area considerably. If you’re working on a colored
linen, adding white French knots will brighten the area, too.
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Once the floral bunches on your letter are completed, it’s time to For this sample, the scalloped buttonholed chain stitch is worked
start connecting them with lines of interesting stitches and stitch as the cross-over stroke.
combinations. Many of the stitches and combinations in the Stitch Sampler
Take a good look at your letter and decide which lines cross over Alphabet are worked on a chain stitch foundation. To embroider a
the other lines, if you were writing the letter with a pen. In the neat chain stitch with nice, plump loops (that work well for build-
case of the J, the upward stroke after the lower loop crosses over ing on), stab your stitches instead of sewing them. The difference
the middle downward stroke of the letter. between stabbing and sewing stitches is explained in the Stitch Tip
Embroider the main lines that cross over other lines first. It is on page 87.
easier to break a line when you run into a stitched line, than it is
to smoothly embroidery over an already-stitched line.
Here is the buttonholed chain stitch completed. The outside (up- When all the larger cross-over sections are complete, stitch the
per or left) side of the chain stitch line is covered with buttonhole rest of the lines. The order in which you stitch any other lines is
stitches for a scalloped effect. The opposite side of the chain stitch really up to you. The stitches and stitch combinations you use on
line is whipped with a contrasting color. French knots are worked the lines are your decision, too. You can follow the exact samples
in even intervals outside the whipped line. in this book, or you can mix and match different stitches and com-
binations on different letters, for a greater variety.
In this sample, the up and down buttonhole vine is worked up the
main stroke of the J. At the top, it transitions into a regular chain
stitch until it meets up with the floral bunch on the top stroke.
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After stitching the foundation stitches for the up-and-down Continuing with the decoration of the foundation stitches, I
buttonhole vine and the chain stitch, it’s time to decorate them! tipped the cross-over stroke of the J (worked in the scalloped but-
The first thing I did here was work a whip stitch up the center of tonholed chain stitch) with three daisy stitches and some straight
the up-and-down buttonhole vine in a contrasting color (in this stitches, with a French knot center. Let your imagination go when
case, purple). When I reached the chain stitch, I whipped the left deciding on finishing touches at the ends of lines. All kinds of
side of the chain stitch only, using the same purple thread. Then, I stitch combinations can be used, from straight stitches fanned out,
whipped the right side of the chain stitch, using a medium coral, to daisy stitch petals. Play around to find pleasing combinations.
which I then continued to use to stitch small straight stitches Finally, I took the same darker coral and split stitched the light
between the up-and-down buttonhole stitches, to represent buds. coral stitches inside the up-and-down buttonhole stitches, to fur-
Finally, I worked evenly spaced French knots along the outside of ther imitate the look of small floral buds.
the chain stitch part of the letter, to widen the line a little bit so
that it balances with the rest of the letter.
Take a good look at your letter to make sure that the lines are The finished letter J
consistent and full. In the photo above, the arrow points to an area
where I added one more bud on the up-and-down buttonhole
vine, by just using straight stitches tucked underneath the cross-
over stroke on the J. This helped to fill out the line a bit, so that
there wasn’t an obvious visual break in the thickness of the line.
Finally, I added light green straight stitches between each up-and-
down buttonhole stitch along the fine, to fill out the vine a little
more.
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