I hesitate to even post this video. Satin stitch is not my favorite stitch and if I’m doing it, I prefer some sort of outline on the edges. This design doesn’t have an outline and it is far from perfect. However, it does show the process so maybe you will be more accurate than I.
If you ever played with hand stitching as a child, this is probably the stitch you did. I was four years old the first time I remember holding a needle and thread. The neighbor girls showed me how to sew the edges of fabric together for a Barbie purse. I’m pretty sure I cut the thread after doing the stitching without knotting off. I do know these first attempts were a running stitch.
Even before that I had lacing cards similar to this:
I remember playing with them in church. Going around the shapes was the running stitch. (If you click on the picture, it should take you to the eBay auction for these.) I haven’t seen any lacing cards for years. After searching the net for a picture, I know they are still available.
All that to lead into a video of the running stitch.
The blanket stitch is frequently used around the edges of applique. It can also be used as an outline stitch. My video was done around a small star so the blanket stitch doesn’t flow like it would over a longer line. If I hear it is confusing I’ll record again when I’m working on something less choppy.
This block from “A Stitcher’s Garden” by Bird Brain Designs shows the use of the blanket stitch as an outline. (These blocks have been on this site before.)
The next video shows how to stitch a French knot. French knots can be used for all sorts of things: eyes, buttons, flower centers, fills, etc. I mention this in the video, but French knots shouldn’t have more than 3 wraps. If you want a larger knot than you can make with three wraps, use more strands of embroidery floss.
Some of my friends have seen the hand embroidery I’ve been working on and have decided to try it out for themselves. There are many different types of learners out there and for some diagrams just don’t cut it. So I’m making a feeble attempt at making videos of various stitches. I’m placing a disclaimer right here and now — I am not an EXPERT! This is how I do the stitches, it isn’t necessarily the best, but it works for me.
The back stitch is fairly easy and fast once you get the hang of it. Lots of current commercial patterns use it for all outlining. It turns tight corners well and works for details like words.
The stem stitch is a bolder stitch than the back stitch. It does take a little longer and tends to roll when going around tight curves. It seems a lot of stitchers at this time prefer the back stitch. However, the stem stitch does have its place and is a beautiful stitch.
This picture shows a magnified view of the stem stitch on top (in red) and the back stitch on the bottom (in blue). This project is being worked with three strands of embroidery floss.
This has been an entertaining start to this endeavor. I have the camera resting on my chest so it is possible for the viewer to see what I am doing. This means it is more difficult for me to see and also means the camera moves when I breathe or talk. Ah, well my boys aren’t interested in playing camera crew so this is the best I can do at the moment.
More stitches to come as I record them and have time to upload them.
I finished the 9th and final embroidery for the Christmas Wishes BOM by Gail Pan (see sidebar for link).
I don’t recall every using the word “magic” to refer to Christmas. However, I must admit as a child Christmas was about the most magical thing around. The decorations, Grandma’s popcorn balls,and homemade Almond Roca, and of course the anticipation. We would be marking days off the calendar well before December made its appearance.
Christmas is still my favorite holiday. I know it can be overly commercialized and the actual day can be something of a let down. But it is so much fun to decorate and, yes, even cook at that time of year. Gift giving is still the most fun with kids – trying to find something that will be a surprise.
So it is time to set the nine blocks I embroidered, and just think Christmas is only 86 days away! 
My creative output has almost come to a grinding halt since school started. It really isn’t that I don’t have time, more that I’m drained when I get home. It is just easier to curl up with a book. I need to stop doing that so much. I did manage to finish the eighth Gail Pan Christmas Wishes block.
One more to go and it has been released.
While reading the blogs I follow I found another free BOM starting soon. It is from Dorothy Baker Designs. The sneak peek looks like it is going to be adorable. I really don’t need another project, but will inevitably succumb anyway.
While they may not be frightening when I’m in the house, they can sure put a crimp in activities using power. It seems we have been averaging two thunderstorms a day this summer. While that is good for the greenery (although since we aren’t watering lawns, the rates for water are going to increase), it isn’t good for activities that require my electric sewing machines. I unplug them all at the first sound of thunder. Last night we lost power for an hour and a half. That is a first this summer. I still managed to make dinner. I just overrode the electronic starter on the gas stove top.
Not to worry I can always work on cleaning and organizing. NOT. I have been working away on hand stitchery and this is what I’ve accomplished in that arena over the last two weeks.
The kangaroos from Lynette Anderson’s Noah BOM – on my screen that is just about actual size.
I caught up with all the blocks released in Gail Pan Designs Christmas Wish BOM. Now I can patiently wait for the release of the last two blocks. I also want to work up a different setting, I’m thinking of using them for the centers in star blocks.
Finally I started the Verandah Views BOM by Willowberry Designs. I believe 7 blocks have been released and I’ve completed three.
So I guess bring on the thunderstorms. It gives me excuse to work on something other than customer quilts.
Allie has been commenting on my posts fairly regularly and a couple weeks ago I finally followed the link that comes through for her. She has a great blog going. In the last two weeks she released two wonderful free porthole embroidery patterns. I have added them to my “to do” list. Her blog led to others and I found several free hand embroidery block of the month patterns. I started two of them this week and fully intend to start some others as well. I am late getting started.
The first two pictures are from Gail Pan Design’s “Christmas Wish BOM.” (I haven’t pressed any of these yet.) This is going to be a 9 month project and she just posted month 7. I did two months this week so I am endeavoring to catch up!
Gail Pan BOM Block 1
Gail Pan BOM Block 2
The next three pictures are from Lynette Anderson Designs free Noah’s Ark Block of the Month. I’m so late joining this party that it is over! All the patterns have been posted. It is a twelve part-er and I finished three this week. These are really small, I didn’t realize that when I looked at her blog. Pictures can be so deceiving! In fact it is so small I’m using the scraps cut from between the scallops on my Horn of Plenty quilt for the background.
Lynette Anderson Designs Noah BOM Block 1
Lynette Anderson Designs Noah BOM Block 2
Lynette Anderson Designs Noah BOM Block 3
These blocks are very folk artsy and they just make me smile. The rainbow was a pain to trace and the lines wobble a little, but that just makes it even more folk artsy — right?
I’ve marked the edges of my blocks with blue washout marker so I’m holding off on pressing them. They will look way better when the background is nice and crisp.
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