Video Tutorial for Bullion Knots!
Finally, a video tutorial for bullion knots used in hand embroidery! I've received heaps of requests for this stitch, and I've finally managed a video that isn't all fingers and no needle and thread! To do this, I filmed a bit further back than usual, so the stitch is not as "close up." Still, the method is visible.
The bullion knot needs a little practice to get it just right, and to be able to vary your technique to get the results you desire. Some useful tips before watching the video and trying the stitch:
1. The needle you use in important. While it is not impossible to create bullions with other needles, you'll get easier results with a milliner (or straw) needle. The difference between milliner needles and other needles is that the entire shaft of the needle is the same diameter, so the eye doesn't bulge. This makes it easier to pull the needle through the wraps in the thread. If you don't have a milliner needle, invest in a packet of various sizes. If you want to try the stitch without one, go for it! Just remember that, when you're pulling your needle through the wraps of thread, you'll really want to make certain that it comes through easily, so you may have to relax the tension on the wraps a little bit.
2. When you wrap your threads around the needle, you want them to follow the natural twist of the thread. So, for most stranded cottons and everyday threads, you're going to wrap your thread clockwise around the needle. The way to tell if you're going in the right direction is this: if, as you wrap your thread around the needle, the strands of thread start to untwist and separate, you're going in the wrong direction.
3. If you're having trouble getting the needle through the wraps, you can roll your thumb over the wraps lightly, back and forth, which will loosen them. Another trick is to roll your needle between your finger and thumb, back and forth in small movements, before you pull your thread through.
In the video, I'm using a milliner needle with two strands of stranded cotton (DMC). I'm working on Edinburgh linen (36 ct) which is set up in a hoop. I prefer working bullions in hand, without a hoop, because, as you pull your thread through, you can gauge the "finish" of the stitch by the little pleat that will form in the fabric. Then you simply smooth the pleat out, and the stitch will lie right down. This doesn't really happen in a hoop, but it doesn't matter - you can get results that are just as good in a hoop!
Also, I prefer working bullions on a smaller weave fabric, like a good muslin or a batiste (for little girls' dresses and such) or on doctor's flannel for blankets and whatnot. But that's just a personal preference.
You can do great things with bullions! The A-Z of Bullions put out by Country Bumpkin publications has so many ingenious ideas for the stitch - besides the typical bullion rose bud or rose, you can create teddy bears, clowns, other flowers, and all kinds of neat texturized accents. It's a fun stitch that, with a little practice, will surely become a favorite.
So, here's the video! Enjoy - and let me know what you think. If you think the stitch requires more explanation, don't hesitate to let me know!
For more video tutorials for hand embroidery stitches, visit the Video Library of Stitches Index.
The bullion knot needs a little practice to get it just right, and to be able to vary your technique to get the results you desire. Some useful tips before watching the video and trying the stitch:
1. The needle you use in important. While it is not impossible to create bullions with other needles, you'll get easier results with a milliner (or straw) needle. The difference between milliner needles and other needles is that the entire shaft of the needle is the same diameter, so the eye doesn't bulge. This makes it easier to pull the needle through the wraps in the thread. If you don't have a milliner needle, invest in a packet of various sizes. If you want to try the stitch without one, go for it! Just remember that, when you're pulling your needle through the wraps of thread, you'll really want to make certain that it comes through easily, so you may have to relax the tension on the wraps a little bit.
2. When you wrap your threads around the needle, you want them to follow the natural twist of the thread. So, for most stranded cottons and everyday threads, you're going to wrap your thread clockwise around the needle. The way to tell if you're going in the right direction is this: if, as you wrap your thread around the needle, the strands of thread start to untwist and separate, you're going in the wrong direction.
3. If you're having trouble getting the needle through the wraps, you can roll your thumb over the wraps lightly, back and forth, which will loosen them. Another trick is to roll your needle between your finger and thumb, back and forth in small movements, before you pull your thread through.
In the video, I'm using a milliner needle with two strands of stranded cotton (DMC). I'm working on Edinburgh linen (36 ct) which is set up in a hoop. I prefer working bullions in hand, without a hoop, because, as you pull your thread through, you can gauge the "finish" of the stitch by the little pleat that will form in the fabric. Then you simply smooth the pleat out, and the stitch will lie right down. This doesn't really happen in a hoop, but it doesn't matter - you can get results that are just as good in a hoop!
Also, I prefer working bullions on a smaller weave fabric, like a good muslin or a batiste (for little girls' dresses and such) or on doctor's flannel for blankets and whatnot. But that's just a personal preference.
You can do great things with bullions! The A-Z of Bullions put out by Country Bumpkin publications has so many ingenious ideas for the stitch - besides the typical bullion rose bud or rose, you can create teddy bears, clowns, other flowers, and all kinds of neat texturized accents. It's a fun stitch that, with a little practice, will surely become a favorite.
So, here's the video! Enjoy - and let me know what you think. If you think the stitch requires more explanation, don't hesitate to let me know!
For more video tutorials for hand embroidery stitches, visit the Video Library of Stitches Index.
Labels: Hand embroidery stitches, video tutorials
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, April 15, 2007
PermaLink | 29 comments | Click to Comment
Share this
29 Comments:
This site is awesome! I feel like
I'm in school except this time I'm interested! I love it! thanks
Thank you for an excellent tutorial on bullion stitch.
Nerys Purchon
http://gypsysoul-au.blogspot.com/
This is GREAT! I am one of those "visual" people and I LOVE THIS. THANK YOU so much. Jeanette, San Antonio
I can learn stitches in a class and think I know what I am doing - but really don't. I can play this video over and over and then I do know what I am doing. What a great tool for student stitchers.
Thankyou so much for doing this for all of us. It is really helpful to have a visual reference.
I shall be looking in often.
Sue
www.susie1205.blogspot.com
Wow! Very good video instructions accompanied by excellent written hints. Thank you for this site. I'm impressed with the quality as well as the quantity and variety of stitches explained.
I have been embroidering for over 40 years and never been able to master the bullion stitch--always substituted a heavily padded satin and it never gave as good an effect.
This morning I successfully completed the stitches for the first time because of your video tutorial.
Your site is the most useful I have ever seen BAR NONE. Wow, wow, wow!!!
Your tutorials are superb.
Fantastic.
cherryinga@live.com
I am SO GLAD to hear you found the video so helpful!
Thank you for the kind compliment!
I've beeb doing needlework for a very long time. The Bullion Stitch was more like a "stitch in my side". That is until I viewed you video. Now I'm making beautiful Bullion Roses, Bullion Daisies, Bullion Rosebuds and even Bullion Smiley Faces..You Are My HERO...
Ginger
THANK YOU! This stitch has given me problems for years. Your demonstration showed me exactly what I needed to do.
I can't tell you what an invaluable reference is for me and anyone else who accesses it! I echo the comments of the quality of the video and written instructions. I also went to Amazon to order the A~Z of Bullions. The video shows what no illustration on bullions could ever do. Thank you so much for publishing this site. Now, if I could just find the same format for the silk ribbon embroidery I would be in absolute heaven. Lol
Carol K.
Thank you so much for your easy to understand video. I was in pretty desperate shape. My grandmother taught me how to embroider when I was 13 - a long time ago - and I've been stitching ever since -but never had to do a bullion knot. (Never even heard of it!)Started a new project recently where I needed to do a TON of them. The written instructions I found didn't help much. Your video did the trick. THANK YOU!!!
hi i can barely hear the audio on this video, anyway you can fix that? my speakers are up all the way, and i can hear the other vids just fine, thanks for all your hard work!!
great information. thank you so much for sharing.
Wonderful video! Thank you for clear instruction and good pics. I use this bullion stitch in hardanger, and you just cleared up a misconception. Now I can REALLY do a good bullion stitch.
Judy A, Vancouver, BC
I just pictured myself embroidering pretty little ringlets on a girl...
and I've never embroidered before. This is an inspiration! :)
Thank you so so much for this video. I can now finish the lovely kit I bought 10 years ago but abandoned because all the flowers were made of this stitch and I just couldn't get them to stay on my needle - NOW I KNOW WHY! So much better to see it done that follow inadequate diagrams.
Thank you so much - a friend loaned me a book with this stitch, and I did pretty well - but your video answered a few small questions I had. Very helpful!
I couldn't figure out how to make a boullion stich. Thanks to your embroidery course, I will be able to finish a smocked dress with bullion flowers.
Thanks again Gloria
mtlstitch
this is wonderful. i've bookmarked this site. i want to use the bullion stitch as hair for 3 different angels on a bell pull. i will be using variegated thread to make it look more like hair. this is an awesome site and thank you so much for your time. i know i will be back!!! to watch this video several more time!
Oh thank you lady!
ive tried making this about 20 times and i still dont get it ;(
Thank you for every video you made, as well as written instruction you gave in order to help beginners in handembroidery stitches.
I looked at 2 of them (corral stitch and bullion knot) and I was very happy to get these explanations and to see how to proceed.
hi mary. thanks so much for the tutorial. the bullions knots am making are coming out better and better. but i think the straw needle am usin is a bit too large for the 2 strands of dmc embroidery floss.kud u plz suggest the needle size i should use.plz plz ans..
sooo helpful. I've been trying to figure this out since I've never done it before!
Thank you SO, SO, SO much for the bullion knot video! I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to do them until I saw your video!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sue
Thank you, Thank you. I have been having so much trouble with my bullion stitch. I read so many things and still it just would not stick in my mind. Your very good illustrative video, just made it click inside my brain. I have been wrapping the wrong direction this whole time, this would probably explain all the inconsistent odd looking bullion's I made. Thank you for taking the time to make the tutorial. It is so helpful!!!!
Ann Flowers
flowerscrazyq@gmail.com
I am a Home Economics teacher in Mountmellick Ireland where some of these embroidery stitches originated . I think that your site is a wonderful resource for my students and I recommend it all the time to them. Thank you for your help. Feel free to contact me
its an excellent tutorial .. i used to get fascinated by my grand ma embroidery skills but now actually i can learn them from this site..... :)
Post a Comment
<< Home