Good afternoon!

Today we will start our basic embroidery stitches by looking at the Running Stitch.  This is the easiest of stitches but can be decorative in its simplicity.  This stitch is used: to ‘tack’ pieces together while you  sew as it is easily removed;  as a gathering stitch; and in a larger size, to decorate clothing.  I also use this stitch to outline detail on padded pictures and  in my hand quilting.

What you will need:

A 8″ square of light coloured cotton – I am using quilters muslin (we will use this as a ‘sampler’adding each of our stitches and then we will use it in a project at a later date)
Crewel needle
Embroidery thread/floss – you choose the colours!
Sharp scissors
Erasable pen ( I used a Pilot Frixion Ball – available at supermarkets for a couple of dollars)

Nanny edit:  Please see new, detailed info re these pens and their use here and then decide if you want to use them

Let’s Sew!

Take the fabric square and, using your erasable pen, rule a line across at 2″ from the top, starting and finishing 1″ in from the side edges.
Cut a 12-15″ length of thread and separate 2 strands
Thread the needle.

If you are right handed, you will start on the right and stitch towards the left.  Likewise, if you are left handed, you will start at the left and stitch towards the right.  I will give instructions for right handed – if you are a           ‘lefty’ just make the change.

Now because we are completing a sampler, we will  use a double stitch to secure the beginning;

Insert your needle from the right side about 1/4″from the start of the stitching line and take a small stitch, leaving a ‘tail’ of thread out to the edge of the fabric.

Repeat to form a stitch

Repeat again, this time coming up at the start of the sewing line.

Take a stitch (about 1/8″) and bring the needle up the same distance ahead (I am twisting the needle so you can see)

You have made a running stitch.

Continue  down, up, down, to the end of the row

Take the needle down at the end of the line and back out 1/4″ away.

Take a small stitch towards the side and repeat to finish.

Trim thread to edge of fabric. (Which I haven’t done yet)

We can decorate this simple stitch by either ‘weaving’ it or ‘whipping’ it!
Mark a line and complete another row of running stitch at 5″ from the top.

Take a length of a different coloured thread, separate 4 strands and thread the needle.

Start with a small stitch right beside the double stitch of the running stitch

Repeat and bring the needle up half way between the double stitch and the start of the running stitch

To ‘weave’ the running stitch, we are going to work on the top of the fabric (you do not take the needle through the fabric).  You will just slip your needle under the running stitch from the top

Now slip it under the next running stitch from the bottom

Then the top

Continue working  across the running stitches weaving up and down to the end.

Finish with a double stitch and trim the thread to the edge of the fabric

Change the colour again, still using 4 strands, and move to the other row of running stitch.

Start the same way, with a double stitch coming up half way between the double knot and the first stitch.

We will ‘whip’ the running stitch in the same way as the ‘weave’ except we will  be going under each stitch from the top each time.

Finish with a double stitch and trim the threads to the edge of the fabric.

Tip: When you press embroidery, you press the back of the fabric!

All the lines disappear with the heat (you have to love these pens!!)

You have made a great start!  I hope you enjoyed this little taste of embroidery ……

Until next time
Nanny xx

Good evening!

I want to show you something that I just found – examples of my work from primary school days (over 50 years ago – but don’t tell! )

Don’t you love it!  A needle case, a draw string bag to hold our sewing gear and a placemat – maybe this was a 50’s mug mat!!

Today I am going to show you how to start and finish your embroidery so that it does not come undone and then you will be able to show it to someone in 50 years time!

The Knot
This is perhaps the easiest way to start any stitching.  With 3 strands, thread your needle and in one end, tie a knot.

An easy way to do this is to wrap the end around your pointer finger until it overlaps

Cover the overlap with your thumb and roll it between your finger and thumb a couple of times

Now holding the twists between your thumb  and middle finger( a fingernail helps), slide them to the left and

Ta da!  You have a knot!

The disadvantages of the knot are that it could come undone and it looks a little unsightly.

One way to make use of the knot is to use it away from your work.  Let me explain…….

I want to stitch on the blue line so I will put my
needle through to the back about 4″ (10cm) away from where I want to start.

Bring the needle back to the front where you want
to start

Stitch to the end and put needle through to the back

 Pass the needle under the last stitch and through the
loop formed to make a knot

Now that’s nice and neat!

 Snip the starting knot from the front

Turn to the back and finish this end off the same way – loopknot, oversew and snip.

Finished back,

Finished front.

This is the method of starting and finishing that we will be using in the making of the Let’s Sew Dolly!

Until next time
Nanny xx

 The top label shows the number 25 – this tells you it is the six stranded thread

The bottom label also has a number and this is the colour number.

 How to store your embroidery floss/thread:

You can purchase these cardboard cards (or make your own)

Remove the paper wrappers from each end of the skein

Write the colour number on your card

Open the loop of thread, making sure that all loops are open.  You will see down at the bottom that some of mine are still not opened yet
– I will fix these before I go on.

Tuck end of thread into slit in card

Wind thread onto card, spreading along the card and back

When finished, tuck end into other slit in card

Pop into your container (and watch your collection grow!)