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Welcome to my Blog. This a place to share and learn all things embroidery. Here I post inspirational stories and free lessons in the form of tutorials and guides. I also share tips, tricks and teach stitches and techniques.

You will also find free patterns and designs for you to unlock your creativity. It is a great place for any creative looking to learn or find inspiration in this art form.

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Blog > Di van Niekerk

Thank you

  Good morning stitching world ♬❤♬                         The international SRE competition is over…..  and how I WISH you could see the magnificent masterpieces that I have received from all corners of the globe.   ♬❤♬❤♬❤♬❤♬ Thank you to everyone who entered – for all your hard work and your dedication to this exciting event.   The talent out...

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Stem stitch rose

Make one or many French knots in the centre of the rose. Use two strands of thread, and wrap two or three times around the needle. Or you could use 2 or 4mm silk ribbon and wrap it once or twice around your needle. Form the petals of the rose with a stem or straight stitch, working in a circular pattern. Keep going back between the previous stitches as...

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French knot

French knot French knots are ideal filling stitches for background trees and other detail. Also useful for the centre of flowers. For finer detail, use one strand of thread (separate one strand from the six) For a heavier texture: use 2 or 4mm silk ribbon or perlé thread. Come up from the back and wrap the thread or ribbon two or three times around the needle. Insert the needle...

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Loose/puffed ribbon stitch

To form loose, puffed leaves, work over a spare tapestry needle (or similar object). Work with a gentle tension so that the stitches are raised off the surface of the fabric. Stitch diagram is © Metz Press and Di van Niekerk.

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A little lesson from the Dreamscapes WH123 - the bicycle design

  [singlepic id=832 w=320 h=240 float=] Click on image to enlarge Good morning stitching world :) This is the latest design from the Dreamscapes series and I just love the tranquil shades and the interesting dimensional effects that were created with simple stitches by Emma Kriegler. See how the leaves are made with ribbon stitch? I will tell you a little more about the leaves and the bicycle wheels in...

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Couching

Click on image to enlarge Couching: To form interesting stems and branches, or to make basket handles or bicycle wheels, couch thicker yarns or wire in place. This is a good stitch to use when the yarn is too thick to thread up in a needle. Use one or two strands of thread and couch in place as shown. See page 22 of my book: Flower Fairies™ in ribbon...

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Detached chain or lazy daisy

    Detached chain stitch or lazy daisy: A single stitch is formed at a time for interesting leaves and a circle of stitches makes a lazy daisy flower. Come up and make a loop. Take the needle and ribbon all the way to the back, holding the loop in place. Come up inside the loop and secure it in place with a tiny stab stitch. Take the needle...

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Straight stitch with ribbon

Straight stitches, worked with ribbon in different lengths, are ideal for making stems, blades of grass and thin, pointed leaves. Best worked with the fabric stretched in a hoop or frame. It is a good idea to work over a spare tapestry needle (or similar object) when you make the stitch. This way, the stitch is slightly raised up off the surface of the design. Remember to work with a...

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Ribbon stitch

  . To make the stitch, pierce the ribbon before taking the needle to the back. Hold the stitch with your finger as you pull the ribbon through your fabric and stop pulling as soon as the stitch curls up on the edge. If you pull the ribbon too far, it becomes a straight stitch. Don't worry, simply make another stitch on top - this adds texture to your...

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Straight or stab stitch with thread

Straight or stab stitches, worked in different lengths, are ideal for making stems, blades of grass and thin, pointed leaves. The stitches should be neither too loose, nor too tight, and work with the fabric stretched in a hoop or frame. Stitches are made stab-stitch-style: take the needle and thread all the way to the back of your work before coming up to form the next stitch. Stitch diagram...

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