Never underestimate simple stitches.

Take, for example, the running stitch. It is the simplest of embroidery stitches. But you can do a lot with it! The running stitch can be used as a filling, it can be used to form the foundation of compound stitches, it can be “dressed up” by being laced or whipped with another color of thread. Simple – yes. But versatile, too!

Here, I’m working with the wrong thread, the wrong fabric, and the wrong needle. I was demonstrating pattern darning to a student, explaining that running stitch should not be poo-pooed just because it’s such a simple stitch.

Lately, I’ve been stitching upside-down.

(How’s the visual on that? Not so good?)

I am not upside-down – but my design is.

Working with the design upside-down for the area I’ve been filling with silk, I’ve found that I’ve been stitching much faster because the reach to the area I’m working is not quite as far.

Depending on the embroidery project, you’re perfectly justified in turning your design upside-down. There are some embroidery techniques where doing so wouldn’t work so well, but with this type of flat stitchery, to avoid reaching far to the top of the design, it’s much easier just to turn the frame 180 degrees.

When working vertical satin stitches to fill an irregularly shaped area, it’s extremely tempting to crowd the stitch on one side of the design or the other. I think the reason for this is that satin stitch is generally demonstrated in diagrams as worked straight up and down, right next to each other. For example, this is what a typical satin stitch diagram might look like:

The Thimble – it is a humble little tool that’s been around for a long time! Did you know the earliest archeological thimble-finds date to the 1st century AD? So it’s a little tool with a long history, and throughout the thimble’s history – whether made from ornate, precious materials or simple wood or leather – the thimble’s Ultimate Goal has been to protect the fingers of people like you and me.

And that is a Noble Goal.

But there are lots of people out there who don’t use thimbles. I was one of them. I didn’t learn to stitch with a thimble, so at first it was pretty awkward getting used to working with one. This is the thimble that I use when I use a thimble, and I’ve gotten a whole lot better at using it.

But when I came across Thimble Pads the other day, I thought, “Why not? I’ll give them a try.”

And I did give the weird things a try. These are my impressions.

It’s time to announce the two lucky winners of Carolyn Pearce’s new book Home Sweet Home: An Embroidered Workbox!

Besides announcing the winners, I’ve got a wee bit of exciting news for you, so read on!

Remember the goldwork & silk Tudor-style rose? I’ve not done anything with the sample I stitched, I suppose because it is “just” a sample. I’m using it for reference as I work on the Medallion project. Eventually, I will be stitching five more of those roses. (Yeeeeesh. What was I thinking?)

But I love seeing what other people do, when they embroider a project initiated here on Needle ‘n Thread, and here’s a great example of a beautiful finish!