Stitching on a slip

Put a very tiny delicate knot on the thread. Put the needle down through a "hole", and come back up *through* a ground thread. Give a little yank, and the knot will wind up inside.

It is perfectly permissible to knot a thread when it can be hidden. If you don't want a lumpy knot, several back stitches in the same holes will serve the same purpose. This can be worked in the seam allowances.

If you're concerned about anchoring the thread for the facial features, tell me what stitches are being used? You may be able to just have a long tail underneath, as most stitches "lock". I have to use this technique when embroidering on previously stuffed pieces, where there's no place to knot. It really doesn't come loose. Dianne

anne wrote:

Dianne Lewandowski said

The nose is supposed to done with running stitches that can be tightened to give it a shape. Eyes call for detached chain as outline and french knot for iris (if that's the right terms). Mouth is two tiny fly stitches. Eyebrows and nostrils are supposed to be drawn on. If I learn to hide the knot, eyebrows could be done with stem stitch or couched thread; nostrils could be a knot.

Believe it or not, I'm fussy about how faces look. I despise simplistic representations!!!! I've been known to paste computer printout on paper or fabric to the figure on the ground or just leave the face unstitched if I've done the freezer paper/fabric thing. Most likely I'll end up stitching the features and then put felt or teeny piece of batting on the ground before attaching the face.

Note to Karen, thanks for tip about small knot.

"anne" >

background with

end of the thread to anchor it. HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Classic Stitches really does have interesting projects!! IIRC from doing some needlesculpted doll faces, there is no problem with using a knot. The knot will usually bury itself nicely in the stuffing you use to pad out the embroidery. Dawne

Oh, dear. I can see two methods. One, a knot that's slipped underneath at the edges, then pulling thread out where you need to start. I didn't understand Karen's method, and I'm unsure what fabric you are using, so don't know if "tails" would show through . . . because that's what I'd probably use. :-) Fr. knot and detached chain will lock by themselves. Running stitch - well, you might need a knot here. Depends.

Wish I could be more helpful. Your project sounds delightful!

Dianne

anne wrote:

Can`t you do a tiny knot then slide the needle (and eventually the knot!) through the stitches between the backing and the tiny oval?

Pat P

Pat EAXStitch said

If I hadn't been so anal and used little stitches around the whole rim as I thought I should, I think that would be the way to go.