When I wrote Hand Sewing Magic I did stitch variations for the stitches that I wrote directions for. It was my most favorite part of writing that. I decided to revisit that part of the book with something I’m calling Stitch Studies.
They are more artistic than what I did for the book since I’m creating some interest with different fabrics. They are a kind of love letter to hand stitching. Just quietly getting to know each kind of stitch really well.
Running Stitch is the unsung hero of the hand stitching world. It’s not fancy, it’s not complicated. But it’s by far one of my favorites. I think it’s simplicity is why, you can do a lot with it. Think of Kantha stitching, sashiko, even hand quilting. Running stitch. Just there, doing it’s thing.
I’m working on another stitch study. Also a basic stitch. I may wander away from it to explore something more fancy. Any suggestions on which stitch I should study next? Do you have a favorite hand stitch that you always come back to again and again?
8 Comments
How about the buttonhole stitch or perhaps the feather stitch. Thanks!
My all time favorite is the French knot. Is it considered a stitch or an embellishment?
Good question. I think it’s kind of both!
I just recently got back into slow stitching myself. I just bought Sue Spargo’s book Creative stitching and there are so many cool stitches. Chain stitching is a good one or some used on leaves.
I have not checked out that book, I will have to!
The very basic Stem Stitch is so versatile and flexible and can be interpreted in many ways..Color Play,intersections,variegated threads,threads of different sizes for texture!
Very meditative! Thanks for sharing.
I really like the chain stitch as well as the French knot