Earlier this week I started a new, long-term project, a stitch sample textile book. I’m working through the TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday) list of 100 stitches on Pin Tangle and adding any extra’s I come across. I’m stitching a page on each type of stitch (well that’s the plan!) so I won’t end up with 100 pages! I also want it to be a bit of a journal too, so I might embroider major events and also where I’ve stitched it (if not at home!) Each page is being stitched in a single DMC variegated thread, so I also have a record of what the different colourways stitch like.
My first page was on fly stitch, it looks like this…
I decided to do feather stitch next, I didn’t know there were so many variations of feather stitch!! I’ve stitched four variations on the usual feather stitch and six other feather stitches too, I’ve used one of my favourite DMC threads, 4505 which is shades of green and purple;
The top two rows and two of the vertical rows are all variations of the standard feather stitch, I think my favourite is the top one which is just joining rows together to make a mesh effect. The triple feather on the outside edge makes a pretty border too.
The third row is crossed feather stitch, where one row is stitched over the top of another in the interlocking spaces. I used the variegated for the bottom layer and a plain purple for the top, unfortunately the bottom thread was on a purple section so there isn’t much contrast.
The fourth row is very similar, it’s plaited feather stitch, I used a green and a purple thread this time so you can hopefully see the effect better. With this stitch the second thread is passed underneath the first one every other stitch, so it looks like it is plaited.
Row five is the one I had most difficulty with, trying to get my head round the instructions. This is why it is bigger, trying to make it clearer for me! It’s called inverted feather stitch, I struggled to get it neat, I don’t think I’ll be repeating this one much!
Row six is feathered chain stitch, it’s not really a true feather stitch, more of a zig-zag chain stitch. I decided to put it in this section as I know there are even more chain stitches than feather stitches!!
The seventh row is triangular feather stitch, which is like two little feather stitches and then one big one, I think this could be quite an interesting one to try different sizes of feathers.
The bottom row is closed feather stitch which is quite a neat little stitch.
The vertical one in the middle is knotted feather stitch, this was quite fiddly, as the knot is made with like a chain stitch around the v. I think this one might be better with a perle thread as the knot isn’t showing up very well.
I find feather stitch is useful for fluid sorts of shapes , I stitched half a dozen waving fronds and added a few french knots to the top stitches
I’ve managed to cover six of the TAST stitches here;
- 3 – Feather
- 44 – Crossed and Plaited Feather
- 48 – Knotted Feather
- 60 – Inverted Feather
- 63 – Triangular Feather
The next stitch I’m planning to do is buttonhole, otherwise known as blanket stitch and there are LOTS of variations, so I’m planning a double page spread!!
Once I get a few pages stitched I’ll start stitching the pages together…
I’m linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, why not follow the link and have a look what everyone else is stitching.
thecraftycreek 
I am, as usual, agog at your industry and beautiful work!
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My goodness! Such beautiful work! What a great idea – a sampler book highlighting stitches AND the floss used! You smart cookie you! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
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I never realized there were so many variations of these stitches! I will be peeking back to see the next stitches too
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I used to follow along with TAST! Sharon was generous to share all those stitches on her Pin Tangle blog. Now you’ve made me feel like making another crazy quilt! Lovely stitching.
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exquisite! and I love the colours of threads you’re using.
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As a person that can barely do a decent backstitch I am of course amazed and impressed! Beautiful work 🙂
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The finished thing is going to be a valuable resource as well as a thing of beauty. I love the little branching vertical one on the left…
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Your stitching is so accurate, lovely work
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This will be such a lovely thing at the end and so useful too. As for the stitches, I can only envy and admire.
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Gorgeous – great use of variegated thread – I’m inspired!
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I love the floss that you used on your feather stitches. I am in the midst of an embroidery project where I am trying all different kinds of stitches. This is new to me and I am enjoying the journey. Your stitching is inspiring me.
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It’s looking great! Such a lovely idea. And oh so many stitches!
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Now I know where your Down the Rabbit Hole color scheme came from!!!!😄 This will be a treasure trove of information and beauty.
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I’m hooked! I just have to follow your excellent embroideries. All are so beautiful .
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OMG you are doing yet another fantastic project! How fun is this?!?!
I love the feather stitch and had no idea of all these variations!
Totally delicious!
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Beautiful stitches and color choices!
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Your work is beautiful. I am inspired to try these out and join the ‘Take a stitch Tueday’ and make my own sampler book. Do you any advice on how to size such a book, make the pages and put it together.? Thank you.
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Hi Tami, thank you for your kind comment, there are lots of ways to make a stitch sample book, I’ve used 32 count even weave linen as I like the regularity of it, others use calico, crazy patchwork squares. My double page spread is about 8″ by 5.5″, 135 stitches by 90 stitches, obviously if you prefer to use 14 count aida or 28 count linen it will either be bigger or same size but less stitches. I edge my pages with back-stitch which I will then be whip-stitching together, others using say calico or felt just zig-zag or blanket stitch the edges together. Sharon also has a fb page on textile books which might be useful for ideas on the actual book. It’s the first one I’ve done so I’m sort of feeling my way! Enjoy TAST 🙂
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