CQJP 2016 February Block Seams 2 - 4 and TAST 2016 Stitch 36

The 2nd seam embellished on my February Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2016 February Block was inspired by Valerie Bothell's Joyful Embellishments #2: curved feather stitch + lazy daisy (also called the detached chain stitch.)

I traced a wavy ruler I purchased from Creative Memories years ago for scrapbooking and then followed the curvy line with a feather stitch using single strand of size 8 DMC #320 pearl cotton. 

The detached chain stitches were created with size 8 DMC #815 pearl cotton.

The 3rd seam was inspired by Doreen's beautiful example of the raised cross stitch flower stitch in the Facebook TAST group. 

Using a single strand of size 5 DMC #367 pearl cotton floss, I worked a feather stitch down the seam.

On the outer feather stitches, I alternated between adding raised cross stitch flowers and detached chain stitch flower buds. These were created with size 5 DMC #321 pearl cotton floss.

Using the same green floss, I added a small straight stitch to the feather stitches in between. I love the way this seam turned out!

TAST 36: Linked Chain Stitch

The 4th seam on my February block was created by tracing a vine from one of Sharon B.'s Crazy Quilt Templates Set 2.*

I followed the traced lines with the linked chain stitch, using size 8 DMC #125 pearl cotton.

Small flowers were added with clusters of 3 oyster stitches and a colonial knot using a strand of size 8 DMC #498 pearl cotton.

Leaves were then added, using the same variegated green floss and oyster stitches.

In case you are wondering...

CQJP 2016 is a personal stitching challenge to complete a block a month. You may learn more about it here. If you are interested in joining next year, sign ups for CQJP generally open up in November and close in December.

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!

Joyful Embellishments is a Facebook Group run by Valerie Bothell of The Pink Bunny: A Crazy Quilt Blog. Stiches are introduced Monday through Friday. You may see all of the stitches introduced last year here on her Pinterest board.

*I am not affiliated with Sharon B.'s Crazy Quilt Templates. I did receive a set to review and will say that I absolutely love using them!

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!