Take a Stitch Tuesday 38
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 6:17AM | Sharon B | 48 Comments | in Challenges, Hand Embroidery, Needlework, Take a Stitch Tuesday Blogging will be back to normal now as my ‘break’ is over. I certainly has been very pleasant and I plan to fill you in on what has been happening over a cuppa tomorrow. But for the moment it is Take a stitch Tuesday that I will devote my time to!
Before I launch into this weeks stitch can I ask those who are still stitching and participating in the challenge to leave a comment. In the next week or so I plan to write a round up of who is still active and want to make sure I catch everyone. Even if you are a little behind if you are still participating in TAST leave a comment and your URL. It will be interesting to see who has not dropped out don't you think?
OK without any more fuss or favours. This week the stitch for the Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge is Knotted buttonhole band.
Knotted buttonhole band is interesting textured stitch which produces a double ridge. Normally you work this stitch in the same thread but if you change your thread you can create some interesting effects. If you use a fine metallic cord on the ladder it can be very effective as a bit of glitter peeks through. The spacing and width of the ladder stitches can totally change the look of the stitch. The sample above illustrates this.
To work Knotted buttonhole band
To work the stitch start by creating a an evenly spaced ladder of straight stitches. In the sample I have illustrated these with the red threads.
Work the stitch from top to bottom.
Bring your needle out at the top of the first bar of the ladder.
Tuck the needle under the bar and wrap the thread under the needle like you would in buttonhole.
Make sure the needle is pointing to the left with the thread on the left as illustrated in the photograph
Take the needle through.
Note that you are not stitching through the fabric. You are just looping the thread around the bar.
I have changed the colour of my threads so that you can see clearly how the stitch is worked.
Pull the thread through to create the first loop.
The next step is to pass the needle through this loop.
Note that you are not stitching through the fabric. You are going to create a second loop on the first.
Wrap the thread under the needle like you would in buttonhole.
Make sure the loop is pointing to the left with the thread emerging from the lop on the left as illustrated in the photograph.
Pull the needle through to create a second loop. It looks like a little knot on the bar and this is what causes the ridge along the stitch.
In this illustration you can see the knot.
As you can see the knot is quite pronounced. This sample is worked in perle 5 but if you want a real chunky knot try a fine silk ribbon. It works really well.
Fine metallic braids and threads also produce interesting effects. The only limit is that the thread has to behave itself enough to be knotted twice and still sit proud.
Move to the next bar and create the first loop.
Take a note of how in the illustration the knot above is not too tight. It is knotted but not distorting the foundation stitch.
The trick to keeping an even tension is to work this stitch in a hoop and don't pull too tight as if you do it will distort the foundation stitches.
The next step is to continue and create the second loop.
Pass the needle under the loop you just created.
Wrap the thread under the needle as you would in buttonhole.
Make sure the loop is pointing to the left with the thread emerging from the top.
Pull the needle through to create a second loop.
Continue down the bar in this way until you have reached the bottom. You now have the first side of the stitch.
Take your needle to the top of the row and repeat only this time point your needle to right as you make the loops.
Where is the buttonhole part? Possibly because you have to wrap the thread under the needle like you do in buttonhole the stitch is called this. Some people classify stitches by what a stitch looks like, others classify a stitch by the action the hand and thread takes to create the stitch. Hence the blanket-buttonhole argument.
I find it infinitely more useful to look at the action or process of a stitch rather than simply what a stitch looks like. As anyone that has been following the challenge will know a stitch can be changed to far beyond its familiar look simply by changing its spacing. So when identifying a stitch I always look to how the hand moves to create it. In this case the straight stitches are buttonholed - hence the name.
I did not name it by the way, I found it in one of Edith Johns books Creative Stitches. It was published in 1967 and is long out of print. It looks dated and boring now but it is a real gem as there are some hidden treasures in it. If you ever spot it add it to your library!
I hope you enjoy this weeks challenge stitch as I think it will be a new one for many people. That’s it for this week but see you tomorrow for a cuppa. Remember to swing by and leave a comment preferably on this page, so that people can follow the link and see what you have done. Don’t be a duffer and forget your URL. There is a Take a stitch Tuesday flickr group which you can browse
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Reader Comments (48)
Hi Sharon, yes I'm still in the challenge, always a week or two behind but just about keeping up. I've found it really useful to find a whole range of stitches I can use in future. At the moment the samples are all just slipped into plastic folders along with the pages printed off your blog but I'm pondering whether to put them together in some sort of book once the challenge is over.
Hi Sharon/All,
I am still stitching ... and I have actually done at least a tiny bit of each stitch ... sometimes a week or 3 late ... (but I have done a tiny bit of last week's stitch) ... there are a few (quite a few actually) of the stitches that I want to play with at least a bit more when I have time - I have been a bit busy with other things for the last couple of months (Quilt and textile exhibitions for groups I am part of), so my stitching has been minimal and my blogging has been even more minimal ... I hope to catch up and take pictures of/scan a few more stitches and blog it all in the next week or 3 ... unless something else comes up to keep me too busy (sigh) ...
Andrea,
disorganised in Dunlop (a suburb of Canberra, Australia ... maybe I should just call myself "disorganised Downunder" when I am talking to an international audience?)
Still here.....still putting the stitches in my book for reference. Occasionally actually stitching one....*S*
annie in chicago
Hi Sharon,
I'm a bit behind (2 last stitches missing) but i'm still in. And enjoying it.
Hi Sharon, I re did week 37 and have posted the Rice Stitch to my blog. Now for the this week's Knotted Buttonhole. See I got it right today. :-)
I have been late posting at times but have completed all of the TAST and look forward to the rest of the year. I know there's a lot of work involved on your part - just reading the blogs is time taking- and I for one really appreciate what you do.
Thanks Sharon.
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
I'm still doing TAST, although I'm behind in both my stitching and posting what I've done.
Juli http://blog.orangerugyarn.com/" rel="nofollow">Orange Rug Yarn Musings
Hi Sharon, I still do the tast stitch every week and I enjoy it very much.
Right now I am writing on my blog that I will be away for a couple of weeks but I will catch up when I come home. Thank you very much for your afford to put a new stitch on your blog every week.
Ati
I've posted my Knotted Buttonhole Band sample on my http://blog.orangerugyarn.com///index.php/musings/2007/09/18/knotted_buttonhole_band_tast_week_38" rel="nofollow">blog.
Juli http://blog.orangerugyarn.com" rel="nofollow">Orange Rug Yarn Musings
I have jury duty today, so I hope to start FINALLY adding to the eye candy
around here. I have 2 bead projects in the works-dragon and unicorn that are coming along, but I want to concentrate on catching up with the stitches today.
Nina at Madhatter's Mess on Flikr
Hi Sharon, I am one week behind now enjoy this challenge a lot,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/helinacq/
Helina
Still taking part and still enjoying the challenge. I enjoy using flickr and also find it a great visual resource in itself. I dont surf the webring anymore which I find hardwork but I do look at the links people post and enjoy seeing other peoples experiments. Things do seem a bit quiet on flickr at the momment but thought that mighht just be the change of season.
http://flickr.com/photos/helenad/
albeit bailing out on 2 stitches i'm still
stitching away every week :)
neki desu
Hi Sharon
I have done the Knotted Buttonhole Band sample and it on my blog.
This was a great stitch-one that I will try to use a lot more in the future.
Doreen
http://doreeng.blogspot.com/
I'm a long way behind, the last stitch I sampled was French Knots. I haven't given up, but I took a break to stitch a comfort doll for Pat Winters. Hope to get back on TAST when that is finished.
CA
I'm still going too Sharon. I've done some of last week's and am just looking to see what this week's stitch is. There's a pic on my blog of some of the recent ones though not the last 2. I'm still working down a long strip, the second one, which happens to be longer than the first one. A friend has turned me some handles to make the strips into scrolls eventually. I've not been so inspired lately regarding different possibilities for the stitches, but that seems to be a general state at the moment, which I put down to moving house and home rather drastically from north to south! But I am still loving the actual execution of the stitches and trying them in different threads at least if not a lot more. (Also enjoying working through Sumptuous Stitches course, slowly!)
Sorry, blog is http://embroideryoverlaps.blogspot.com
Barbara C
Hello Sharon
I plan on starting the TASTs real soon - I did a couple at the start but they were taking too long to do (given my work and social commitments) so I have been giving it some thought. My plan now is to make 52 ATCs - one for each stitch.
Mind you I might have to get a picture account (e.g. flickr) in order to show them to everyone.
I'm still stitching either. I had to skip a few stitches along the way, and done less than I would like with others, but right now I'm back to weekly stitching and regular blog posts. I won't have that much time for the rest of the year, but I'll try my best.
http://tenar72.wordpress.com
Hi Sharon, I might not actually do a lot of stitching at the moment, 2007 has certainly been challenging our family, but I am a regular reader of your blog, try EVERY DAY. I really missed you while you had your much needed rest! I jump in and stitch when I can, so I'd like to stay on the Roll. I PROMISE to stitch week 38 and 37 by the end of the week and blog them
Hooroo,
Christine
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/
Well, I've finished one sample today, am very proud of myself. Hope you like it,
Hooroo, Christine.
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/
Hi, Sharon!
I´m still in the catch up mode. Today I´ll be posting TAST 2 and probably two or three more, since I´ve decided to go backwards too.
http://alemdecriar.blogspot.com/
OK, now I can concentrate on my client's work for a couple of days. I've posted my week 37 and 38 samples on my blog. I feel quite chirpy now, let's see if I can maintain the momentum for a few weeks, eh? Oh, and "Ahoy me mateys! Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day t'ye all !"
Hooroo, Christine.
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/
I'm still here and loving every minute of it. I've yet to start my buttonhole band. I've missed a few but plan to catch up, sometime soon.
http://luciscreativeadventures.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/luci_f/
I didn't originally sign up for the challenge, but I've been enjoying seeing what has been going on.
We just started a new year in homeschool and I'm considering having my daughter do a unit on textiles. I can see the take a stitch would be a great resource to start her on embroidery with. Do you have any suggestions for further resources? (She's a great deal like me - we both want to know how to use techniques but we do not want strict rules about what to make with those techniques! Artsy rebels - that's us.)
Thanks
Virginia Burnett
Welcome back, Sharon. Today I was able to download TAST for this week. Yes, I'm still doing the stitches, though I got a little behind during Sumptuous Surfaces. I'm catching up now and plan to continue through the rest of the year. This has been a great learning experience, and I've made friends along the way. Thanks to you.
Virginia I can not think of anything else quite like TAST that could be used for home schooling . Can anyone else think of any other embroidery /textiles challenges or sites that can be adapted to the needs of those who home school?
Although I sort of fell by the wayside in the past month or so, I'll be joining in on the fun once again since I have my blocks all ready to go! Glad to have you back again full strength (and I love your picture)!
I've enjoyed doing some of the stitches in TAST, just haven't been able to keep up and am a bit lost at times; although learning bunches.
Think I'd like to take Develop a Personal Library of Stitches but am afraid I might fall behind there too. Would it still be worth taking even so? Let me know your thoughts about this.
I just wanted to quickly answer your question about the personal Library of stitches course -
I have designed it so that people can work at their own rate and the written materials are very comprehensive. That said I suggest that student allocate at least 2-3 hours a week to explore the ideas in this course. If you have more time there is plenty to do in them! If you fall behind you can always return to them later as everything you need is them. (They print out at around 200 pages all up so its like a book) The advantage of the course if that you develop design skills as well as stitching skills and the forums are always active. I am sure past students will agree with me that feedback from me is valuable and you learn much from seeing what other students do!
Hi Sharon
I'm here and I'm working away! I got all caught up just before I took my computer in for repairs and will post what I've done in the next day or so. Thanks!!
Mary Anne
http://magpiesmumblings.blogspot.com
For homeschoolers, Google Books have several excellent home economics and sewing textbooks from the late 1800's/early 1900's. Some of them include a whole curriculum yet are very adaptable to your interest. I've actually thought about working through one of them myself.
Juli http://blog.orangerugyarn.com" rel="nofollow">Orange Rug Yarn Musings
Hi Sharon,
Happy to see your posts cropping up again after your break and to hear that you had a pleasant time.
I'm still stitching in the TSTC and learning more every week. My blog is falling silent 9/22 while I run away for vacation. I'm planning to be back by 10/6. I've posted some entries on the knotted buttonhole bars.
http://quietermoments.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">quietermoments.wordpress.com
Turning a corner here: Cindy, I took the PLS class last year and I can confirm what Sharon said. Also the material is well written so that when referring to it after class was over I've been able to make progress and learn stitches or ideas I didn't pick during class due to lack of time and so forth.
Sharon, not sure where Virginia is from, but here in NSW our Embroiderers' Guild runs a correspondence course for kids over 8 years. I'm not sure about other Guilds, but we do have one overseas member in Singapore, so we are prepared to post lessons worldwide. The kids get everything including fabric, thread and needles, coloured instructions etc. 3 lesson per year priced at $75 AUD, at own pace, and several of our students are home schooled. Might suit Virginia's daughter, the link is
http://www.embgdnsw.org.au/news_ytfg_distance.htm (hope that will work for you, include the m which has dropped down)
Hooroo, Christine.
Still tagging along! I'm meeting the challenge in my own way and time, but still plan to reach the finish line with the rest of the pack. Meanwhile I'm back to blogging and results of what stitches I did get done this summer. You can read about my angst-ridden experience trying to access TAST assignments in "My Summer Vacation - Part 2"; I think I may give new meaning to Separation Anxiety Disorder!
I'm a couple of weeks behind in TAST, but still very much enjoying it.
Hi Sharon
I just posted weeks 32 thru 36 on my blog if anyone wants to take a look. Really enjoyed these because most of them were new to me and fun to learn
http://magpiesmumblings.blogspot.com
I joined in late and am still following along. Mostly I have been trying out the stitches that are new to me. I updated my blog with some new stitching yesterday.
http://everydayrevelations.blogspot.com/
Hi Sharon,
I'm still here. Often a little late in posting but I've worked all the stitches and am thoroughly enjoying learning so many new ones. My binder is really getting full and I may have to use a second one to hold everything LOL especially since I've decided to revamp my stitch layout to also include the printoffs I've made on the "how-to's" of some of the stitches. What a journal I'll have when the year is up!!!!
http://normasneedles.blogspot.com
I use the stitch for my little dutch girl:
http://corinaj.wordpress.com
I am not sure if I have the right-hand side of this stitch working right. It is getting the needle in the right way that muddles me.
I try and work the right hand side like a backward buttonhole. All my work on the flower is done holding the centre nearest me.
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
Hi Sharon, I'm still here, just a little bit behind.
Cable chain and rice stitch are on the way. I'm going to enjoy this week's challenge, I LOVE raised band stitches!
http://smockery.blogspot.com/
Sharon -- I am behind -- I need to start with the Shisha stitch and catch up -- but I am still working on TAST. I am glad that you found a copy of your mystery book at the book sale -- what a great book. My copy is a library discard also.
Hi Sharon, I have just finished my knotted buttonhole band, had a few problems with it but I think I finally worked it out, doing the second side took some thought. on my blog
http://backvalleyseasons.blogspot.com
Hi Sharon, I've just posted my knotted buttonhole band. Had a little bit of a problem working the righthand side but think I finally got the gist of it. You can see it here:
http://normasneedlez.blogspot.com
Hi Sharon,
Still there,but a long way behind.
Exploring cross stitch and variations,which includes Rice Stitch too
Found some old resources too,u can see it at
http://deepashome.blogspot.com/
I think this is the first time I've got my sample up before you post the next one! http://faffingabout.blogspot.com/2007/09/tast-knotted-buttonhole-band.html
Hi
My knotted buttonhole band is at my Flickr site and my blog.
Luci F
http://luciscreativeadventures.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/luci_f/
I need to try this stitch: Knotted buttonhole band. Looks good.