Alison Holt 'Machine embroidered seascapes', Search Press, 2012
Valerie Campbell-Harding & Pamela Watts 'Machine embroidery: stitch techniques' Batsford pp52-59 for cable stitch
I produced 4 Samplers in all, demonstrating straight stitch, zigzag stitch, whip stitch and cable stitch.
Each sample was using calico, prepared with a hoop, free machine foot, and using 100 needle. I lowered the teeth.
Each sampler had a grid of 16 squares 3cm x 3cm and 4 X 4.
I selected samples using photographs from the Introduction and from Chapters 1 & 2.
The top two lines of the grid depicted skies and clouds, the bottom two lines water. Where possible I tried to vary the colours to reflect the different skies and waters
On a written grid matching the sampler in my notebook I recorded the coloured threads used, upper and in the spool, mostly Gutermann machine threads, thicker threads for the cable stitch, tensions and stitches and sometimes the patterned effects.
Sampler 3.1 Using straight stitch.
The tension was meant to be the same, I used 2 for both the upper and lower tensions, however the tension was more balanced for stitching when I changed to 3 upper and 2 lower. Some of the earlier ones resulted in looser threads at the back of the piece.
I didn't always have contrasting textures next to each other but tried to vary the textures as much as possible.
Ideally I should have covered the fabric more, but at least the water or cloud patterns showed up well.
The background colour was the colour of calico, other coloured fabrics or layers of stitching could have been worked to give variety to this background.
Sampler 3.2 Using zigzag stitch and whip stitch
Similar approach to Sampler 1, but used the zigzag design on the machine and mostly the longer length 5 or 6.
The tension for the lower spool was 2 and the upper tighter using firstly 9 then 7, for the whip stitch. The latter seemed to work better. I pressed faster speed on the peddle and slowly moved the cloth using the hoop as a guide. At other times allowed the zigzag to cross further over the fabric.
Liked the way you sometimes have glimpses of the aquamarine coming through from the spool thread with whip stitch on to the white depicting froth or foam on the water.
Sampler 3.3 Using a mixture of stitch techniques ( not cable stitch)
In this sampler worked from the bottom lines upwards. As I reached the top row wanted to capture the different colours in the skies. My notebook grid explains which stitch was used where and colours used for the upper and lower threads.
By now I had referred to Alison Holt's where she recommends turning the fabric 90 degrees and working up and down rather than across, which worked so much easier.
I feel I'm now beginning to use more dense stitching and layering and more variety of colour.
As well as using pictures from earlier chapters I notice skies more and consequently try to capture evening patterns not able to photograph but captured as soon as possible after seeing them.
Sampler 3.4 Cable stitch
This time worked from the back of the calico fabric in order to use thicker threads in the spool to show on the right side.
Some samples produced well textured results but this was probably because I didn't get the tensions right, producing some very loose top threads (see the lower row)
I managed to alter my technique from tightening and highering the top tension to get rough cable stitch, to actually changing the lower spool holder and properly loosening the tension on the screw. Used a separate spool holder, which I will keep for this work.
I did not work in just one direction on the sampler. As I tried different colours I used the most appropriate square for the water and sky.
I began to get a better couched effect. I like the ability to use some lovely textured threads.
I feel a little more confident changing the spool holder for this technique.
I feel I managed to get a mixture of textures through out the samples, and hope to develop this in later work.
I will need to vary the colours especially in the waters for more grey or brown effects.
