TAST 2016 Stitches 30 - 34

TAST 30: Long Tail Chain Stitch

When I saw the examples Sharon B. shared of the long tail chain stitch, I knew I would use it to add snowflakes to the Winter/Christmas wall quilt I have been slowly working on. I used size 12 white DMC pearl cotton.

After seeing the way my friend, Christine, used this stitch, I knew I had to make a snowflake using a sequin and the long tail chain stitches. (You may see Christine's long tail chain stitch examples here at Patchwork Allsorts.)

TAST 31: Fancy Bobbin Edging

Rather than using the blanket stitch I typically use to create this beaded seam on under the sea blocks, I tried fancy bobbin edging with a variegated size 5 DMC floss on Sandy's block in the round robin we just completed.

I look forward to trying this stitch out in a couple of different ways in the near future!

TAST 32: Raised Cross Stitch Flower

I have seen some beautiful examples of the raised cross stitch flower, so I look forward to trying it again with different fibers. I am afraid my flowers turned out a bit square. (Though when I mentioned this, one of my son's friends pointed out that it is hip to be square!) This was worked with size 8 Anchor variegated pink pearl cotton.

I used one of the templates from Sharon B.'s Crazy Quilt Templates Set 2 to make the "X" to work these flowers.

TAST 33: Pekinese Stitch

For my first attempt with the pekinese stitch (which I have also seen spelled pekingese), I used size 8 green pearl cotton and some flower sequins secured with Mill Hill petite glass seed beads on Sandy's under the sea block. I used one of Sharon B.'s template to trace the vine.

Earlier today, I used another one of Sharon B.'s template to trace a vine onto a black and pink block I will be using to make my first messenger bag. 

I back stitched along the vine with black Anchor size 8 pearl cotton.

Next, I laced pink Anchor size 8 pearl cotton through the back stitches. I am adding a few extra pictures with this stitch because my first few tries, I pulled the thread too tight or it twisted up part way through the lacing process. I found it helpful to leave the bottom of the lace a little loose before bringing the needle back down through.

I did the same thing when I pulled the thread back down and then I gently pulled the thread until the loop was the size I wanted it to be. (I also found it easier to rotate my work as I looped through the top and the bottom.)

Although I was excited to see the contrast between the black back stitch and the pink laces, once it was completed, I was not sure it created the effect I had hoped for. I tried whipping the back stitch with more pink floss, but my loops are so small, I felt it almost covered them up. So, I removed the whipped stitches and opted to leave it as it was.  This is a stitch I found relaxing and enjoyable.

TAST 34: Oyster Stitch

I chose to use the oyster stitch to create pink leaves along my pink and black vine. I LOVE the texture of this stitch and do plan to use it again in the future. It took me a couple of attempts to get the stitch right. Once I figured out my oops (trying to loop under the wrong section of thread), I really enjoyed it.

Although my flowers are on the square side and the black is a strong contrast to the pink vine, I found I really liked the floral vine these three TAST stitches created.

I fell a bit behind with my TAST stitches, but am happy to say I am now all caught up! I look forward to seeing which stitch Sharon will share next week. 

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. If you follow the TAST Facebook group, you know there are some incredibly inspiring examples of these stitches being shared. Anyone may join at any time during the challenge. Thank you, Sharon, for offering TAST!

Thank you for stopping by!

Renee

Please note: I am not affiliated with Sharon B.'s templates. I did receive a set to review and was encouraged to share my honest opinion. I must say, I love using them and find them incredibly handy!