Love of Hand Stitching

Hand Stitching,sewing,

For The Love of Hand Stitching


There is something therapeutic about Hand Stitching. Don't get me wrong. I Love Machine Stitching with a Passion. But every now and then I feel the need to partake of some Hand Stitching. BUT I can't Hand Stitch for long.

Weaknesses 

Eyes and Joints 


My eyes don't now, and never have actually done well with close work. Cross Stitch literally makes me Cross eyed! I just can't keep the Stitches still and get quickly confused. Similar although not quite so bad with Embroidery. My eyes tire quite quickly.
And then there's me joints. My fingers aren't as nimble as they once were. And repetitive work can become quite painful.

Blackbird Syndrome 

Blackbird Syndrome: Also, I'm easily distracted by shiny new projects. And consequently have lots of different projects on the go.

My Solution 

But I do Enjoy a bit of Hand Stitching. So what's a Girl to do?
Felt christmas decoration,gingerbread ornament, handmade,


Play to Your Strengths 

So what Strengths do I have?

I have quite a good guesstimating eye.

I have an artillery full of different Stitching techniques I have studied over the years.

I'm happy to try out different ideas.

I have a large collection of sewing supplies to call on.

I have plenty of time to play.

Well, I have spent years learning the Patchwork/Quilting Rules
They say once you've learnt the rules, you can break the rules.

I also enjoy Hand Quilting. I've managed a fair bit of that over the years. Although even that is now proving to be more difficult working through three layers.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention 

I'm one of those who will often start will a pattern and then decide there's a much easier way to do that. And completely sew off script.
And one of the easier ways I found was to use a Running Stitch instead of a full Quilting Stitch for certain projects.

Faux Quilting 

For years now I have used what I like to call Faux Quilting on things like Wall Hangings, Cushions, Bags and even Quilts.

Basically it's 

A Running Stitch

Which looks from the top of your work the same as or similar to A Quilting Stitch.

So what's the difference?

A Running Stitch is usually worked through one or sometimes two layers of fabric.

A Quilting Stitch is usually worked through three layers, a top layer, wadding/batting and a backing fabric.

Although Running and Quilting Stitches are basically the same Stitch. A Running Stitch is both quicker and easier to make due to only needing to get the needle and thread through one or two layers. Whereas the Quilting Stitch needs to be worked through three layers which I find takes more effort, time and is hard on my fingers/hands.

Probably best if I show you what I mean

Check out my two videos showing the difference. 

First Hand Quilting Stitch 



Next Running Stitch v Quilting Stitch




And below a Running Stitch 


Running Stitch,embroidery,



There are so many opportunities to use a Running Stitch 
Examples of My Running Stitch Projects

Running Stitch used on Cushions and Bottom Right a Wall Hanging. 'Ti's a quick and fun way to add emphasis to your work.

Combining Machine Stitching with Hand Stitching 

For years now I have used a Running Stitch to add some umph to my work.

I use it often on Bags, Wall Hangings and a touch of Running Stitch can really make a project pop.

I even use it on Quilts. I find it best to start with or add some Machine Quilting to secure the three layers.
Check out My Machine Quilting below

An example of Hand and Machine Quilting on the same piece of work.
Running (Quilting) Stitch Alongside Machine Quilting

On My Winter Quilt.

Another Alternative to Quilting is

Boro Stitching 





Boro, boro Stitching,

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