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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.

To stay in the loop with Dicraft you can subscribe to my newsletter and stay in touch on Instagram and Facebook.

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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Working with two needles

When working with two needles: always ensure that one of the needles (with thread or ribbon) lies on the top of your work whilst you stitch with the other. This way, the thread and ribbon won’t become tangled at the back of your work

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Stem stitch

Stem stitch. A slight variation on the traditional stem stitch, this is a way to form a finer line which works well with this kind of embroidery. Instead of making the traditional slanted stitches, insert the needle along an imaginary or drawn line as shown. Longer stitches of 1 to 3 cm (3/8 to 1”) are also used for a smoother texture. Stitch diagram is © Metz Press and...

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How are you today?

  Good morning from a hot and sunny Cape Town   Sending you some African Sunshine   .....have a beautiful day ♥   Click on the image to enlarge - isn't he magnificent?                     © Bruce van Niekerk 2010 Bukela Africa Safaris  "Africa With Pride"

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New member of the family..

  Good morning, everybody ♫♬♪♫♬ Thought I would introduce you to Milly  ♥ the new baby in the house….   Click on the image to enlarge                           And the baby sleeps... peace in the house at last :)   Welcome Miss Milly Muffett                    

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4. Flower Fairies in Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork Book

Cicely Mary Barker’s beloved Flower Fairies™, first published in 1923, are an enduring vision of elegance and beauty. Her exquisitely delicate and intricate colour illustrations have captivated both children and adults alike for more than 85 years. Now, for the first time, five of her beautiful fairies are introduced, not only to ribbon embroidery and stumpwork fans, but also to needle crafters who enjoy creative, three-dimensional embroidery. Designed to...

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