Tutorial - Creating A Stitched Effect on your Project.

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An inquiry tonight has reminded me that I must offer this stitching technique I dreamed up when I made my Birds and Bloom card {see earlier post} - because 'stitching' on paper is so 'IN' at the moment and I love the added texture, but its more than that - its very ' home-spun ' don't you agree?

At any rate, you can add the 'stitched' look in a variety of ways, and they range from simple {create faux stitches with a marker} to the more detailed like this technique.

However, time-consuming this may be, there is 1 benefit - its actually relaxing once you get the gist of it, as its repetitive - so set yourself up somewhere cozy and on a quiet moment, and enjoy!

Note - pictures correspond to directions from bottom picture to top.

Step 1 - Determine your Design.

Think of how you would like to incorporate your 'stitched design' into your project. For my example, I wanted it to take a supporting role, so it is placed as a "background" element and therefore, it runs behind the main focus {the birds and tag}. It will run the width of my card as well.

As an added design element - I've decided to incorporate a strip of ribbon - so I've decided to 'stitch OVER the ribbon' - therefore I must chose a ribbon.

I "eye-balled" the ribbon width to begin the placement of the ribbon and to border it with stitches. Take a moment to run a length of ribbon behind the tag so you get the sense of where you plan on the ribbon 's position - I have chosen to place it behind the middle 'point' of the tag - it feels like a natural point to start.

Step 2. Prepare the ' first ' line of paper piercing to accomodate the stitching.

Here I have a special ruler that has holes in it for paper piercing, but a regular ruler will act as a guideline. Pic #1

**Measure a 'starting point' with your ruler - see mine begins exactly at the no. 5 -in the picture. This will help you to measure the next line in order to 'alternate' the position of the stitches. Pic #2

Pierce your dots in a steady, line and spaced at regular intervals. I choose to pierce every 'second' hole {of my ruler} or at least, every few mm. along the ruler's edge. Pic #3

Step 3. Repeat the ' second ' line of paper piercing.

Move the ruler over - now I am beginning just slightly before no. 5 - and start the piercing again, same as the first time. Depth: placed at a distance from the first line to be slightly ' wider ' than the width of the ribbon. This ensures the ribbon will 'slide into place' easily when you stitch over it later. Pic #4

Draw a pencil line [erase later after piercing and before stitching] if it helps to keep you steady - avoid getting 'blurry' vision.

Step 4 - Stitch with Thread

Using cross-stitch thread, nice and fuzzy plus so many colours!....and a proper needle, I now begin to stitch "over top of the ribbon" - first one direction, and then coming back in the opposite direction over top the first set of stitches. {shown in finished card} Pic #5 + #6

The fact that I started the second row of holes to be slightly off-centered from the first row means my "criss-cross" stitching comes naturally.

Tie off threads neatly. Voila - you're done! Let me know how it works for you! Thanks!!

Beverly

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