Lettering
After
playing around with the running stitch again today (red dotted line, purple “h”),
I’ve learned it is not the best stitch for lettering (too choppy). With a quick
Google search for “hand-embroidery lettering,” I found this useful resource
– again, on Craftsy. On the webpage, four different stitches, which are best
used when hand lettering, are described with pictures and instructions. I
especially enjoyed the “Tips and Tricks” section because it offered the advice
to shorten the stich on the curve section of each letter, which had been a
problem I encountered (see purple “h” as an ugly example). While the website
offered four stitches as an option (stem, split, back, and running stitch), I
decided to use the back stitch for my lettering (see red “hi” as an example).
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| "hi" using backstitch, "h" using running stitch |
Flower Pattern
Aside from
the hand lettering, I also wanted to practice a simple flower pattern this
week. Again, with a quick Google search of “easy hand embroidery flower
patterns,” I eventually stumbled upon this great resource with
twenty-four different hand embroidery techniques to create flower patterns. As
a beginner, I thought it would be safe to stick with #10 – French knot flowers,
because I was already familiar with the French knot and back stitch. I love the
simple tutorial offered on the webpage because it 1)does not assume that the
learner knows how to French knot, so a link to another tutorial is provided,
and 2) the additional link provides many ideas about what you can do/design
with French knots. What is great, too, is that there are so many useful
pictures given as examples for each project. Check out my little lilac (purple
and green) as an example of the French knot flower.
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| Today's outcome: backstitch "hi" and a backstitch and French knot lilac. |
Reflecting on the Challenges (and Solutions) of
Learning Hand Embroidery Online
Again I
find myself missing the face-to-face contact and communication that I am used
to when learning. I have been having trouble with the French knot this past
week and would have benefitted from a second set of eyes (and hands!) to offer
suggestions of how to correct the mistake I continue to make. However, I did reach
out to members of a local community sewing/embroidery Facebook page and
almost immediately received two great response! I’ll add the suggests and YouTube resource, but I thought it was worth mentioning that although I do feel a bit
lonely learning on my own, it has been nice to ask questions and find solutions
through Facebook post discussions. Still, I wonder if there is something lost
(particularly around human-to-human connection) when learning completely
online. How do I know if I am stitching properly? Who will correct my mistakes?
I suppose I can post my projects online to receive feedback. What you think of french knot (see video below)? Also, check out my before and after (picture below).
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| Advice on how to create a French knot. |
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| Advice and YouTube suggestions on how to tie a French knot. |
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| French knot: Before and After Shot |
Coming Soon
I’ve begun to look through Instagram to see what
other Makers are working on, but also to see what techniques and resources they
suggest for beginners. I’ve @mentioned a one
of my favourite Makers to ask them for advice and am waiting to hear back. Stay tuned!
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