Almost forgot! - Susan's name was drawn as the chart winner.
Pin stitch? Being isolated from shops and other stitchers, I had no idea about the pin stitch for .... isolated stitches! You know about this don't you? Well for others like me that don't, here 'ya go. I was trying to keep off my feet so browsed a few sites and videos and found this method for those solitary stitches out in the middle of nowhere. Here's what I learned about the pin stitch, which I found done several ways but this was the best. This method would secure an isolated stitch better with the multiple crossing.
Pin stitch? Being isolated from shops and other stitchers, I had no idea about the pin stitch for .... isolated stitches! You know about this don't you? Well for others like me that don't, here 'ya go. I was trying to keep off my feet so browsed a few sites and videos and found this method for those solitary stitches out in the middle of nowhere. Here's what I learned about the pin stitch, which I found done several ways but this was the best. This method would secure an isolated stitch better with the multiple crossing.
This method requires no special stitching and the single stitch only has one tail. I use this loop method for all my stitching because it's a quick and secure start creating a neater back. I know it's frowned upon by experienced stitchers, but I'll never be one and still like being a rebel. The only tattoo I have is my eyebrows, so being a reckless stitcher makes me feel a little wild. That says a lot.
"Hey lady! You consider yourself a rebel, a little on the wild side. Why is that?"
"Well Bubba, I use the loop method, my floss is twisted, I eat while stitching, have a drink nearby, rarely use a hoop, carry over too far, deliberately stain my work, wash and dry to age and wrinkle, use the hard stuff (glue), fringe edges, hang without framing, and sometimes .... I even knot. And my tension is off the charts. While others fear the needle and cloth, I show it no mercy. And if I get any lip, I set it on fire and move on. Be afraid Bub."
Yep that's me. Big chicken clucking her way through life, but give me linen and floss and I am fearless. Confused, indecisive, fusspotty, but fearless. I mean reckless.
And you know what? I think that's OK. If I had to worry about proper this that and the other thing, I would not have the patience to stitch, nor enjoy it. It's not going in a museum. My pieces will end up at a garage sale when I'm gone so I don't care if they last 100 years. I would love to have the talent and technique for an exquisite sampler but I don't, so I stitch for the enjoyment of seeing the finished piece and can't fret over my inadequacies. I still fuss over errors, colors, and tension but in the end, the final result as a whole is more important to me. The look more than the details. Practicing the rules and methods, learning advanced techniques to become a proficient needleworker, striving to create a glorious result to be passed down to family is not the goal of all stitchers. I don't have a need to justify my ways, but I've received a number of emails from readers worried about trying linen, different stitches, finishing, technique. For anyone who wants to get back into stitching, just starting, or feeling their work is inadequate, just do it. You may end up with a perfect finish, you may end up like me. And that's OK. Learn what you can about needlework, stitch to the best of your ability, use the methods that you are comfortable with, and enjoy!
Yours in wonky tension,
The Reckless Stitcher
Yep that's me. Big chicken clucking her way through life, but give me linen and floss and I am fearless. Confused, indecisive, fusspotty, but fearless. I mean reckless.
And you know what? I think that's OK. If I had to worry about proper this that and the other thing, I would not have the patience to stitch, nor enjoy it. It's not going in a museum. My pieces will end up at a garage sale when I'm gone so I don't care if they last 100 years. I would love to have the talent and technique for an exquisite sampler but I don't, so I stitch for the enjoyment of seeing the finished piece and can't fret over my inadequacies. I still fuss over errors, colors, and tension but in the end, the final result as a whole is more important to me. The look more than the details. Practicing the rules and methods, learning advanced techniques to become a proficient needleworker, striving to create a glorious result to be passed down to family is not the goal of all stitchers. I don't have a need to justify my ways, but I've received a number of emails from readers worried about trying linen, different stitches, finishing, technique. For anyone who wants to get back into stitching, just starting, or feeling their work is inadequate, just do it. You may end up with a perfect finish, you may end up like me. And that's OK. Learn what you can about needlework, stitch to the best of your ability, use the methods that you are comfortable with, and enjoy!
Yours in wonky tension,
The Reckless Stitcher
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19 comments:
Amen !
I second Jacqueline! Don't stop being who you are. You lay it out on a line and I appreciate that. Thanks for looking up the Pin Stitch, I had no idea this was out there. Yay.
Second to that Amen!
Amen to that. Be who you are, that's why we love you and enjoy reading your post. I'll have to try the Pin Stitch, thank you for the info. :) Happy Stitching! http://christiescrossstitchcreations.blogspot.com/
I, also, say Amen ! You just keep on being the "Reckless Stitcher" and I will enjoy reading about your "wonky tension".
Happy 5th of July.
Charlotte in Va.
Yea for being reckless! I'm right there with ya!
A woman after my own heart, Marly! Thanks for the pin stitch instructions! Have a good week!
A woman after my own heart, Marly! Thanks for the pin stitch instructions! Have a good week!
Love this post!
Marly, I love you and your wonky, reckless ways.
Thanks for sharing the graphic and how to of that version of a pin stitch! Makes sense to me! I enjoyed your post this morning.
Amen Sister! Stitching is meant to be fun, so do it however it makes you happy. Unless you are entering your work in a competition, no one should be criticizing it. Stitch and enjoy!
It is so nice to hear someone stitching for the fun of it. I guess I am a rebel too as I have always used the loop method except when stitching one over one. Then it just doesn't work. I try to make sure my thread is not twisted, but have never learned to "lay" my stitches properly. Perhaps I will have to try it just once, though I don't want to expend for any additional tools right now. Kids take the extra money for their projects for now and that's ok.
Congratulations to Susan!!!
The joy of stitching is most important and I agree with you Marly--have fun and do it your way! Love your stories about stitching!
Hope the stiffnes will be over soon.
Greetings,Truus from Holland
Okay, Marly, I have a question. Would I use the pin stitch for something like snowflakes when you don't want to carry the floss behind the linen too far? May be a dumb question but like it or not, I do consider you an "authority", rebel.
Thanks so much for this post - great information and even greater advice. As I am pushing 70 now I find I don't give a fig what anyone else thinks about my stitching. I do it for me, for my enjoyment, and if you don't like it I won't gift it to you. I find when put in those terms most people don't mind the minor mistakes, if they see them at all. :) blessings, marlene
I hear you...absolutely. I use sticky board to mount my work on and use fray check on the edges. Who cares. I seriously doubt my work will survive and be analyzed like some of the antique samplers. But I sure do have fun and that's really what it's all about!
I second all the seconds!!! If I worried about everything I would quit!!! Anyway, I see tons of needlework in antique shops that no one in the family wants. So I never worry about what will be here 100years from now!
AMEN Sister!!! (I knot everything and it all looks just fine) :-)
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