Saturday, November 7, 2015

Thick and Thin...Following a Thread


So....following a thought thread from my previous post, I decided to play a little bit more with thick and thin lines of stitching using back stitch, stem stitch, and running stitch. This is in preparation for the Hand Stitching class I'll be teaching in January and February.

This time, I stitched with strands of white DMC floss on two layers of black cotton. First I drew a 4" square image area and divided it into quarters. I then drew a circle in each square.  I marked parallel stitching guidelines approximately 1/8" apart in each square. I used one strand of DMC floss for the "thin" lines and four strands for the "thick" lines.

Starting with running stitch, I stitched the background with the single strand of floss and the circle design with the four strands. I tried to have the lines of running stitch line up vertically to form columns of stitches. I really like the subtle "appearance" of the circle and that the further away I hold the piece, the more defined the circle becomes (sort of like a Pointillist painting!).

Running stitch. I tried to have the stitches line up in columns.

For the next square, I stitched the background in a thick stem stitch and the circle using only the single strand.

Stem stitch (left square)

Then it was back stitch, with the background stitched in a single strand and the circle with four strands.

Back stitch top left.

For the final square, I returned to running stitch. This time, the stitches in each line alternate (sort of like a brick wall), with the background stitched with four strands and the circle with one.

Running stitch alternating stitches with each row.

After creating this sample...a whole lot of  what ifs exploded in my brain!!!




I wish I had several more pairs of hands to stitch all my ideas! I'm glad that I'm keeping a journal to jot them down. But...I have to keep in mind that I need more class samples that cover a number of topics such as stitch length and angle etc. The funny thing is...I could probably teach an entire class using just the running stitch...there are so many possibilities!

If you live in the Washington DC area, registration for the Hand Stitching class starts at 9:30 AM on this coming Monday, November 9th!


20 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Jude! Coming from you...it's such a compliment! I'm really enjoying just pairing things down to black and white so I can really focus on the possibilities of the mark making.

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  2. Wow, so much variety from something so simple. That's what I love about your best ideas--based on simplicity.

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    1. Thanks, Marcia. I am really in love with that idea of simplicity. Seriously...I could do so much with just playing with the running stitch...I think the most versatile of all the stitches. Can't wait to get back to playing with more ideas.

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  3. Hello, how fun to stop by here via SDA on f'book. Great post. I was a Drawing major in art college and your stitch 'marks' are not unlike what I did with various writing/mark-making implements, comparing as you have the effects ... what a joy to see this crossover with stitch! Most everything in the arts seems related somewhere in its genealogy and I love that.

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Sweetpea! Yes, the idea behind the class I'll be teaching is to approach stitching as mark making...using the threaded needle as the tool vs. a pencil or brush.

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  4. I love your stitching! The circles really look three-dimensional.

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    1. Thank you for commenting. I was loving how the some of the circles seemed to "appear" in a very subtle way. I'm excited to do more with this idea.

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing with us!!! Love it!!!

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    1. Thanks Robbie...I'm enjoying the process and happy to share.

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  6. Love the way you are playing with the various thicknesses of thread and the different effects you have created. Some of it reminds me of Kantha stitching.

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    1. Thanks, Renate. I'm really enjoying just playing with ideas. I do love Kantha...which is a form of the running stitch. Can't wait to explore more...

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  7. Hi Julie, Just saw your thick and thin stitches, and they are so simple and complex all in one. Love the idea of using black and white. Wish I lived closer,,,,,,Are you interested in teaching here in Virginia Beach/Norfolk? Also,,,,,why aren't you teaching at Art and Soul art retreats? talk to Judy Gulah about that. We need more textile art in the "Beach" retreat. cheers. Lynne R. Sward

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    1. Hi Lynne- "Yes" I am interested in teaching in your area! I've been thinking about Art and Soul but haven't gotten myself together to apply...wasn't sure what the best class would be for that group...and many classes seem very project-oriented. I'll have to re-think that. Teaching at Artistic Artifacts in March. Let me know if there is a fiber group in your area that I could approach with some workshop ideas---Thanks!

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  8. Oh yes, the exploding brain moment! The heart beating faster and a joyful list of all the options! I'm intrigued by what you have here ... !

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    1. Hi Mary Ann...exactly! I'm itchy to get stitching with some more ideas!

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  9. These are most effective. Black and white is so hard to beat! I seem to have got well and truly stuck in that rut recently so I'm fascinated to see you're up to here. I love the contrast you're achieving with the different weight of thread ... something to think about ... thank you.

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    1. Hi Margaret...thanks for commenting! I've been admiring your black and white explorations. There's nothing quite like setting limits to really free you...open you up! I have so many ideas in my head right now...Hope my fingers can keep up!

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  10. Oh I like these so much. That square and circle sampler result is wonderful, all with simple stitches. So beautiful, Julie.
    p.s. I have recently acquired your wonderful book. So far, just leafed through it and really looking forwarding to really sitting and working with it all this winter while a bit more stuck indoors. So many wonderful printing techniques, I am amazed!

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    1. Hi Susan- Thanks so much for your comment. I've been having such fun going "back to the beginning" with my stitching and really exploring the potential of simple stitches...in prep for my new class...but really for me!

      I'm so happy to hear that you've gotten a copy of my book...really honored...since I so admire your work! I hope that you enjoy trying out the techniques..it may even be a fun way to involve your children too. Thanks again!

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