and take the stitches across from side to side, keeping them even and close; avoid stacking the stitches on top of each other or the effect will be unattractively lumpy. The stitches can be worked in a slanting direction or straight across the design.
Left-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from left to right and take the stitches across from side to side, keeping them even and close; avoid stacking the stitches on top of each other or the effect will be unattractively lumpy. The stitches can be worked in a slanting direction or straight across the design.
RUNNING STITCH
Run the needle in and out of the fabric for a simple but versatile line stitch.
Right-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from right to left. Bring the needle up through the fabric, make a stitch, and bring the needle down through the fabric again. Repeat, making sure the stitches and the spaces between the stitches are the same size.
Left-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from left to right. Bring the needle up through the fabric, make a stitch, and bring the needle down through the fabric again. Repeat, making sure the stitches and the spaces between the stitches are the same size.
Tip
To work seed stitch sew running stitches at different angles.
WHIPPED RUNNING STITCH
Whip a second thread through a line of running stitch for a decorative variation on this simple stitch.
Right-handers (black dots indicates start points)
Start by sewing the motif with a running stitch. For the best effect, keep the running stitches small. Working from right to left, pull the thread up from behind at the start point and slip the needle over and under one of the running stitches. Continue to whip the thread over in this way until all the running stitches are covered.
Left-handers (black dots indicates start points)
Start by sewing the motif with a running stitch. For the best effect, keep the running stitches small. Working from left to right, pull the thread up from behind at the start point and slip the needle over and under one of the running stitches. Continue to whip the thread over in this way until all the running stitches are covered.
BACKSTITCH
This is the perfect stitch when a well-defined outline is required.
Right-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from right to left. Begin by bringing the needle up a little ahead of where you want the line of stitching to start. Take the needle to the right, to the start position, back through the fabric to make a stitch, and bring it out to the left past the first stitch.
Each time a stitch is made, the thread passes back to fill the gap, for small stitches of an equal length.
Left-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from left to right. Begin by bringing the needle up a little ahead of where you want to start the stitching. Take the needle to the left, to the start position, back through the fabric to make a stitch, and bring it out to the right past the first stitch.
Each time a stitch is made, the thread passes back to fill the gap, for small stitches of an equal length.
Tip
This stitch may need a little practise to get neat and even. Uneven stitches will still give the desired effect.
BLANKET STITCH
This is a great border or edging stitch.
Right-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from left to right. Bring the needle up on the line of the motif or the edge of the appliqué. Take a stitch down from the line and bring the needle back where you started keeping the thread to the left.
Insert the needle to the right of the first stitch, down from the line or edge, and bring it back out on the line or edge, making sure the thread is behind the needle. Pull through.
Continue repeating to make a line of stitches.
Tip
Aim
