Curve question

I've found, even using the tiniest of stitches, that sometimes curves won't lie nicely. Tack away.

I have used a teeny split stitch with wools instead of a stem stitch. Don't think that will work.

Cheryl

I've cheated on occasion by switching the top thread from above to below to get it to stay where I want it.

Lucille

And you didn't get a odd looking spot doing that? I need you to show me how you do it!

Cheryl

I've done what Lucille suggested---and it seems to look fine if you are not examining it with a magnifying glass. Dawne

If you take very tiny little stitches it's hardly noticeable. I'm not sure that would be the same under a magnifying glass, but to the naked eye it looks okay.

I think if you took longer stitches it probably would show more but I tend to be stingy when I do stem stitch, especially if I know there are curves.

I'm really pretty bad at description of stitches so maybe Dianne, or someone who is better than I at describing them, can help. Unless of course Dianne is appalled at my cheating.

I am embroidering a bunch of names onto a small quilt for one of my GS who moved. I've been using stem stitch - but how do you make your curves lie nicely? I'm using small stitches, correct tension, etc., but it seems that occasionally I have to put in a small "tack" stitch to hold a curve in place. . .

Thanks!

I've cheated on occasion by switching the top thread from above to below to get it to stay where I want it.

I have been somewhat baffled in this country by the huge fuss made about the difference between "stem stitch" and "outline stitch". Growing up in England, I was taught that you put the stitch either over or under the previous one, depending which way you want it to go. In particularly curvy Jacobean stems, I might change two or three times in one stem. However, for those to whom this is important, stems can also be stitched in either split stitch, a one-thread chain stitch or back stitch.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

"Lucille" ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

I do the same, although when I start out if there is a curve en route, I pick the stitch most appropriate. Stitching by putting the thread above is Stem Stitch but with the thread below it is called Outline Stitch. At least, that is how it is termed in Crewel.

I'm with you. I come up for each new stitch on what is the inside of the curve. If the curve is going this way ( I come up here (- to start the next stitch. And I use very small stitches.

But I imagine doing letters with stem/outline would be quite difficult because of the frequent changes in direction of the curves (An S must be a nightmare!) and the combination of straight lines and curves. How far into this are you? Is it too late to consider backstitch or a tiny chainstitch?

Felice

When using fine threads, that might not show up a difference. However, thicker threads you will definitely see a difference and it can spoil the looks.

Most of us are stitching for our own pleasure and you probably won't notice it. But my posts on this topic are a reminder if anyone wants to send in a piece to be judged. That's a whole nother kettle of fish.

Dianne

This is most interesting to me. We're really all in agreement that as with most rules, there are times you follow them exactly as written and times you ignore them like last winter's snow and do what you think looks best.

I do as Sheena does and try to prejudge when I start out if there is a curve en route, and then pick the most appropriate stitch. When I've misjudged, or the thread won't behave the way I want, I cheat.

I must tell you that many years ago, when I did crewel samples for a major company that were used mostly for photographing cover pictures and/or for their sales people to show, I did exactly the same thing I do now and no one ever through that there was a problem.

You're probably right about how it would look with a heavier thread, but I've never done anything with a really heavy thread. With crewel, if you want a heavier look for a stem, it's usually filled in with stem or outline stich, or maybe split stitch.

Lucille>

I remember a long time ago I stitched the Pledge of Allegiance, and the cord hanging down from the flag staff was stitched in a chain stitch. It was really curvy and flowing, and I just stitched a very small chain stitch, and it was lovely. That also gave it a little texture, which I liked.

-- Jere

I'm doing a larger scale version of this right now (perle on fleece; handprint outlines with names for a baby blanket). I don't switch back and forth between stem and outline. I do make smaller stitches through curves. Mostly, though, I just look at the geometry and try to even out curves so that it's not too big an issue. But even when a particular stitch doesn't lay absolutely perfectly, usually by the time it's in the context of the surrounding stitches I think it looks just fine. In fact, often the effect is that a curve looks a tiny bit thicker or weightier, which is often a nice effect. If you don't like the look, I wouldn't see any problem with a little tacking stitch to hold something where you want it, but I've hardly ever done that.

Best wishes, Ericka

All you need do is use a pearl cotton thread to see the difference. It is a major difference. I didn't realize it until I saw an article by a well-known, highly skilled needleworker (don't ask me her name, she died not too long ago). So stubborn me, who didn't think it mattered, did some experimenting with pearl thread.

There is absolutely no reason you can't get a curved line with stem stitch. I do it all the time and I don't have any skills that the rest of you don't have. However, I do a specific "type" of stem stitch, and that may make the difference. I don't have a feathered look to my stitches, but use previous holes.

The Asian embroiderers use the stem stitch with a feathered look and it is amazing the curves they manage. It does have a jagged edge look. But I don't think anyone here can argue with these highly skilled artisans.

Dianne

As to showing the work I suppose if I were judging strictly on perfect stitching that would be a no-no. On the other hand, if I were judging on the end look of a piece I doubt I would give many points off for an "innovative" approach to doing embroidery. For me embroidery should be judged the same way as any other form of art, whether it's painting, or pottery or another kind of needlework. The method is secondary to the overall look and something can be a masterpiece and not be absolutely letter perfect.

As the kids say: "Whatever floats your boat."

Lucille

Have you thought about using a whipped back stitch instead of outline/stem? It is done by doing the entire letter or figure in small even back stitches and then going back and whipping (wrapping) each stitch on the surface with the same thread. It is very easy to do and is uniform. I use it a lot in crewel for tendrils.

As to the question of the difference between outline and stem, Dianne is right, there is a difference. It has to do with the twist of the yarn. Generally speaking, the outline stitch is thinner and tighter because by throwing the thread up you are slightly tightening the twist and conversely when you throw the thread below, you are slightly loosening the twist and therefore the line of stitching is slightly fluffier, wider, and softer.

And then there is also trailing..........

Lucy

Did anyone say Dianne was wrong when she said there was a difference in the two stitches? If so, I seem to have missed it completely.

Dianne is rarely wrong when it comes to the technical aspects of stitching and it's good to have someone who is willing to do the research necessary to document this information.

Lucille

My apologies. No one said Dianne was wrong. I chose my words poorly.

I simply agree with Dianne that there is a difference between outline and stem.

Lucy (back to lurking)

Lucille wrote:

No need to apologize and please don't go back to lurking. Come on in and stay awhile.

It seems this time we're all in agreement.

Lucille

crewelwoman ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

Good suggestion, forgot about that one.