After stitching all the lines on my current embroidery project, the next step was to add some seed stitching. I figured filling in certain areas in seed stitch would accomplish two things: it would add some texture and it would make the prominent parts of the design stand out. And so, I proceeded to stitch hundreds – perhaps thousands! – of tiny seed stitches.
There’s nothing at all complicated about seed stitching! Some books show seed stitch as two tiny stitches stitched as a pair perfectly parallel to each other, randomly covering an area. I only use one stitch, personally, stitching tiny single stitches randomly to fill an area.
Above, you can see the beginnings of the seed stitching. I started in the diamond area on the right, which was probably a mistake. Actually, I’m sure it was a mistake! You can see one spot in the center of the diamond that’s a bit crowded. See, the diamond is relatively small, so there’s not a lot of room there to really get up a rhythm with the stitching and gauge distance and so forth. Once you get the feel for the spacing and all that, seed stitching is a breeze. But starting and stopping in a tiny area doesn’t really do it.
Now, you might wonder why I didn’t take out the seed stitching in the diamond area described above, and there you have one disadvantage of closely-worked seed stitch: it makes a jolly mess of the fabric if you decide to pick it out. Oh, and the picking! It just isn’t worth it! I figured once the whole piece was stitched, that little crowded area in the diamond would not really be noticeable to anyone but me.
In the photo directly above, I’ve progressed a bit further with the seed stitching, and managed to take a picture in “natural” light as the sun slanted in.
Notice that I didn’t seed stitch the main element of the design itself (that’s the “M” in the center of the scalloped circle). I thought that seed stitching on the background, around the M, would actually take the background further back, and make the M stand out more, as in relief. That was my plan, anyway, and I think overall, it worked out.
You can really see the bumpy texture of the stitching here. For the outlines on the project, you may remember that I used #20 coton a broder. For the seed stitching, I used #25 coton a broder, for two reasons: 1. I ran out of #20 (which really narrows it down to one reason, I guess – it’s not as if I had a choice!) and 2. I figured the finer thread would look better. I had planned on using #25 for the seed stitching, anyway. What’s funny is that I ran out of #20 coton a broder for the outline exackitackily as I finished my last few stitches of the outline. I had about 4″ of thread to spare when finished. I’ve never come that close to running out of thread before!
Here’s the whole central medallion finished, and one crown (lower left).
My favorite part of the design are these scrolls and fleur de lys tips surrounded by the seed stitching. I think it looks ok, don’t you? I mean, I don’t want to say, “Golly, am I good, or what?” because that’s not what I’m thinking! I’m just glad it came out looking pretty nice. There’s quite a bit of chance involved in that, you see – I really had no idea that the seed-stitched background would be successful. It was just a hunch, and once I started, I knew I was in it, so I had to finish. I was glad that it worked out!
From a bit of a distance, here’s the whole piece with the seed stitching done. Hm. At this angle and in this light, you do kind of lose the center image.
But this is more what you see without the bright light (Ott light), and here, the central M is pretty clear.
Another disadvantage of seed stitching… not to be negative here!… is the finger hole. The finger hole? The finger hole!
I ended up with one of those tiny little needle holes in my middle finger on my right hand, which is the finger I generally use to manipulate my needle. Oh boy – you know, one of those teeeny holes made by the eye of the needle, and which the eye miraculously finds, no matter how hard you try to avoid it! There’s nothing quite like it when the back of your needle slides on into a little hole like that!
You know what my solution is? Oh – I know you’re thinking, “Wear a thimble, dummy!” But no, no… Super glue. I put a dot of super glue over the little hole and let it dry. It works great!
Ok, so that’s the seed stitching, done! Yippee. I’ve sewn the pall together already, and made the back – I’ll show you that in a future post, along with the finished pall with the lace attached. I’m halfway through sewing the lace right now, and will have it done probably before you even read this post!
Thank you for your oh-so-nice comments on the Blogiversary Post of yesterday! If you haven’t signed up for my three year blogiversary give-away, don’t forget! It’s over tomorrow morning, at 5:00 am CST. Thanks also for the insight into your likes and what you’d like to see more of on Needle ‘n Thread. I’ve got a post planned that will have a permanent link for all ‘tags’ – which will help make things a bit more searchable, I hope.
And, on that note, I’m off to finish up the lace, then shopping in preparation for my trip (leaving Thursday morning!). Don’t worry – I’ve got some Super Duper articles lined up for you while I’m going, and I hope to be blogging a bit along the journey, especially about any tidbits that might involve needlework shops!
As much as I love color, you make whitework look so elegant and interesting. I tried a piece over twenty years ago and my young wild-haired patience got the best of me. Needless to say I'm sure that piece was eventually trashed as it was never finished. I just might have to give it a go now that I've slowed down some. Thanks for the inspiration, as always.
Tammy
Mary,
You do exquisite work. This is breath taking beautiful. I can't wait to see it all done. I could stay here all day looking at all the beautiful pictures of all your work. Have fun on your vacation.
Mary,
The seed filling does make this pall look very beautiful. I like doing this stitch probably because I cannot get a nice look to my satin stitch. I did the seed stitch in a initial but found it to be a little tedious because I think the initial was too large. Thank you for sharing your progress on this project.I was hoping to see how it turned out. Maria in Kansas
Mary, don't ever say anything about not being good, because 'Golly, you ARE good" (and don't let yourself say otherwise). This is another of the pieces I would just love to be able to touch (after I washed my hands of course!). Have a great holiday!!
Hi Mary,
Your whitework project is simply amazing. I plan to try a small piece soon. Thanks for the inspiration
Your work is beautiful! Great tip about the Super Glue…those little holes in finger tips are very painful!
What beautiful craftmanship! And so inspiring. Thanks for posting and have a wonderful vacation.
This is stunning! All those simple stitches exquisitely executed in white on white add up to a masterpiece. I look forward to the finished pall
What an incredible work! Congratulations from Nicaragua
Celestine
Mary,
This is just so pretty, you are truly an inspiration. I know you've mentioned you use Alba Maxima by Legacy for this piece. If I want to try this technique, what other kind of linen I can use? I am a beginner, hope the question I asked make sense.
This whitework piece is absolutely marvellous, I cannot stop admiring your work.
As for the finger holes, I had the same problem when stitching sashiko (I am a great fan of this Japanese style of embroidery). A really painful thing. Now I've started using these self-adhesive thimbles (http://store.quilting-warehouse.com/082375.html), I usually cut them in halves, and they work great.
Thanks, all! Glad you like it. Here it is, early Wednesday morning, and I still haven't finished adding the lace!
Thanks for the tip on the thimbles, Marmotte! I'll have to look those up!
Judy, you can use any light to medium weight linen with a higher thread count.
Thanks again for all your comments!
Mary, it is amazing how the seed stitch makes the background recede! Such a simple stitch, but so effective…
I love the finished design on the pall. The seed stitch just makes it!
Isn't it funny, you used very simple stitches and the outcome is really quite dramatic. And it also looks like you loved doing this design.
Thanks for the example that simple stitches can be elegant too.
Mary this piece is magnificent ! ! Just shows how any simple process, repeated, can render a "thing of beauty" ! ! This is why I'm hooked on your website….Thanks again…Judy in Pittsburgh
Your white work is sure inspiring and the pictures show the stitching real good. I hope you have a great vacation. I am new to all this blog stuff so if I want to send you a picture of some embroidery felt projects how would I go about it? Just e-mail it? Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the super glue tip Mary!
I tried a thimble and it just didn't do it for me. I then found some of those leather ones and they were still too loose and too much of an obstacle for me.
I think I'll give super glue a try for my next project!
Hi Mary, this look so lovely; but what is a pall?
Hi Mary,
I was wondering if you are going to show pictures of the completed pall. The one you did right before your cross country trip. I've been anxiously awaiting to see it.