TAST Week 9: Couching Stitch
For this week's TAST Stitch, I couched down a strand of green (color 320) size 8 DMC perle cotton floss with a single strand of DMC #320 floss to create a Christmas tree.
Through trial and error, I learned that the center of the tree pulled out of shape if I couched it down, so I only couched down the curvy turns on the outer edges with the floss.
Next, I attached gold Mill Hill Petite Glass Beads (#40557) with a single strand of DMC #676 floss. I was careful to bring my thread up on one side of the perle cotton tree and down on the other to couch it down. (I find myself drawn to these tiny beads. I love how delicate they look and I like that Mill Hill has a DMC conversion chart that tells which shade of DMC floss matches the beads I am using.I purchased these beads at Friendship Crossing last time we drove through Corvallis, Oregon. They are also available through Amazon.com. Note: I am not affiliated with the beads. If you go to Amazon through my blog and make a purchase, I do receive a small credit. Also note: these beads are generally cheaper on Amazon if purchased in a 3-pack.)
Looking through photos of past projects, I realized I generally use the couching stitch to create trees. A few examples are below.
The snowy tree in the upper-left part of this Christmas stocking was couched down using various sizes of white perle cotton flosses and DMC metallic white floss following the Kathy Shaw's Easy, Breezy Trees Tutorial.
The spooky tree in the ornament I made for the Halloween Exchange hosted by Kim at Wisdom with Needle and Thread last year was created by couching down a couple of brown variegated shades of Boucle EdMar rayon flosses.
And, the leafy sections of the tree I added to the African themed snowball I made for Kathy S. were also couched down.
I also used the couching stitch (with clear nylon quilting thread) to couch down the metallic chain and the anchor charm on this block embellished for Sandy.
TAST stands for Take a Stitch Tuesday. It is a personal stitching challenge offered by Sharon B. on Facebook and on her blog, pintangle.com. You may read more about it here. This week, the couched stitch was introduced. If you follow the TAST Facebook group, you know there are some incredibly inspiring examples of these stitches being shared. Thank you, Sharon, for offering TAST!
Thank you for stopping by!
Renee
7 comments:
Loved looking at all your examples of couching Renee! You are so talented! Christine x
The couching really gives the trees a great effect. Love the use of the little delicate beads on your Christmas Tree too
Hi Renee, I started checking out these beads you are talking about and come to find out I just bought two packages today in Missoula. I have many packages of these Mill Hill Petite Glass Beads and I love them. They are the smallest I have been able to find and I love the colors. I picked up two crystal white today. I think I have the gold as well. I have a favorite shop "Treasure House" in Missoula that has all kinds of craft supplies and I love it for beads. Who would have thougth? LOL
Hugs, Donna in MT
Donna, thank you for sharing! If I ever make it to Missoula, MT, I will have to check out Treasure House. Every time I make it to a cross-stitch store, I pick out a couple more colors of the Mill Hill Petite Beads. I just love them! (I suppose my pocket book should be glad I do not live very close to any cross-stitch stores - lol!) Enjoy your crystal white beads! (Those are my favorites on winter themed blocks.)
I always love your trees, and this one is no exception! If you like those tiny beads, you need to check out Japanese Delica beads. You get a lot more beads for the money. Delica 11 or smaller, or even Japanese Seed Beads 14 (or 15). You get a tube with about 3500 for less than $4. U Bead It is my favorite source. I love their store, which on weekends often has a guitarist playing in the corner. It's in Sacramento, and I may never get there again, but I have fond memories of it. =) Another one you may like is triangle beads They have three flat sides and make the most awesome ending for straight stitches. You need a partner who loves beads to share the cost with you, so you both get tons of beads and lots of colors, for half the bill. =)
Oh I love that tree! So simple, yet so effective. I've never used a couching stitch. I'll have to see if I can figure out ways to try it out.
Ahhh - beads. Sparkly things. Us Magpies really like sparkly things. Hence the reason I have an over-abundance of beads in my stash. I don't have many of the tiny ones you used though - most of mine are seed beads. There's a bead store about an hour away from here but so far I have resisted going in because I know I need to win the lottery first!!
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