Crathorne Bug - completing block shading

bringing the needle up just inside the previous block

taking the needle down just over the line of the next block

taper stitches at the sides to fit the shape

split stitch the final block, by bringing the needle up in the previous stitch

complete!

All using one stranded of stranded cotton, pale colour DMC 822; pale blue DMC 927; mid blue DMC 926; dark blue DMC 376, and a number 9 crewel embroidery needle.

Tips - Keep the stitches 'very' close together, as this will give a finer effect.  Also, keep the stitches firm, not too loose. Always work from the previous row, 'not' into it.

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Crathorne Bug - more on block shading

Follow the block shading with DMC stranded cotton 3768, and DMC 926

Crathorne Bug - starting a thread, and block shading

4. Starting a thread - use a 'waste' knot, and work two little back stitches to secure the thread.  Once the thread is secured, the knot can be removed.

5. Start in the middle with the palest blue thread DMC Col.927.  Work the thread just over the line by an ⅛" of an inch or 2mm.

6. Fill in the whole block, working out from the middle on both sides, to help keep the direction straight.  The shape of the block widens at the bottom, and therefore, it is necessary to add in a shorter stitch to retain the shape.

7. Next colour - DMC Col.822, an off white colour.  Work from the middle of the first colour, bringing the needle up on the original design line.  Work the block in the same way, middle out on both sides, and work slightly over the next line.  Keep the stitches very close together for the best result!

 8. Again work the stitches to fit the shape on each side.

This design has been worked using a No.10 crewel embroidery needle, or it is possible to use a 9 or 8.

Crathorne Bug - long and short applying silk fabric

design transferred onto silk fabric and adhered to a cotton (calico-UK; muslin- USA) base

long and short stitch to secure

Here we go - 

1. Transfer the design to the background fabric of your choice.  I am using an off-white silk dupion

2. I adhered the silk fabric to the base backing fabric using a fusible interfacing or Bondaweb

3. Then, long and short stitch the silk fabric to the base fabric using 'long and short' stitch.  The stitch maybe a feature of the whole design, so try to work as evenly as possible.  I used DMC stranded cotton Col. 644, a pale grey colour.

Crathorne Bug - design and colour

Design

Colour ways

Stitch ideas

Colours

I was due to teach this design to a needlework touring group on the 1st October 2014 in Crathorne Hall Hotel in Yarm, North Yorkshire, except we had to evacuate as there was a fire in the roof, so I never actually starting teaching.

I promised the group that I would blog the working of the design once they were back home again (Australia, New Zealand, USA) - so here we go . . .

It may take me a little while to get going as I am mid-term with a load of students with day to day admin, but I will get there.

Above is the design, and my working drawings, and colour ideas.  

Linear Contemporary Whitework

free style pulled work, stem stitch, herringbone stitch, woven silk chiffon, eyelets, running stitch, back stitch, hem stitching, free style pulled work, hem stitching

in more detail

 students work - part 1

 students work - part 2

This is a workshop I have just taught in the Scottish Borders in Jedburgh, working on a linear whitework sampler, creating a lot of hand stitch ideas on different natural fabric surfaces, including pulled work, drawn thread work, shadow work, eyelets and surface embroidery.

The idea for me is to continue the sampler and work more ideas which may include machine embroidery, mixed media, and more traditional and contemporary hand stitching.  

I will of course do more postings on my blog as I continue to experiment and explore.