Tuesday, November 29, 2011

100 Stitches - Portuguese Border Stitch

Bom Dia! This beautiful stitch is the Portuguese Border Stitch:



This stitch is the latest stitch I have learned from 100 Stitches.  It is my favorite type of stitch: complex looking but fairly easy to learn and fun to do!


First you need some "foundation bars", which are just a row of horizontal straight stitches


I spaced mine about 3/8" apart:


The foundation bars run horizontally and this stitch is done from the bottom to the top.  Come up through the fabric centered below the first foundation bar.
   

Pull the working thread all the way through and up and over the first two foundation bars.  Now the needle is going to slip under the first two foundation bars.  It won't be piercing any fabric, just sliding under the foundation bars.  Notice the needle position here - the working floss is always staying to the left of the needle. 


Slide under both bars:


and gently pull all the way:


Then take the working floss up and over the bars again.  Keeping the floss to the left of the needle still, the needle now slides under JUST the second foundation bar this time:


and OVER the first foundation bar:


Gently pull all the way through.  That is the stitch!  To continue, take the working floss back up and over the second and third foundation bar and slide back under the third and second foundation bars.  Just like before, not piercing the fabric, just sliding under the bars.  The working floss is staying to the left of the needle:


Slide under the third and second bars only and pull gently all the way through.  Bring the working floss up and over the second and third foundation bars and then slide the needle under the third foundation bar only and over the second foundation bar:


Pull all the way through and then up and over the third and fourth foundation bar and slide under the fourth and third...


Same as before until...


You finish stitching around the top foundation bar.  100 Stitches didn't specify how to finish when you were at the top bar so when I slid my needle under the top foundation bar for the last time



I just went back into the fabric and brought my needle to the bottom of the first foundation bar.  Now the stitching starts over.  Come up through the fabric below the first foundation bar and to the left of your previous stitching:


You do everything exactly the same on this side, only this time the working floss always stays to the RIGHT of the needle:


Stitch all the way to the top:


Here is what the underside of my stitch looks like:


Isn't this such a beautiful stitch?!


For the floss, I used DMC pearl cotton color variations #4025.  The Portuguese Border Stitch is #63 and is in the Composite Stitches section of 100 Stitches.

11 comments:

donna!ee said...

it is certainly a beautiful stitch AND once again you've given step by step how-to that turns something complicated into doable...thank you so much!!! :)

Bren said...

What wonderful, clear, concise instructions you give. And to have step-by-step pics demonstrating is all anyone could ask for. Thank you for teaching us.

Digna said...

So beautiful. I will try to make one.
Best regards,

Sparklyjools said...

This is a lovely stitch - and an excellent tutorial. Thank you Kim, this is one I must try.

Kim said...

:) Thank you!

Bethany said...

That is really pretty! I have a hard time doing these "laid and woven" type of stitches. I just can't seem to get the tension right. Seeing how nicely it turns out though, I might have to just keep practicing till I get it right.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

This is a great stitch - thanks for a very clear tutorial!

Farah said...

Kim great addition... I never saw this stitch before...its totally beautiful and surprisingly new for me Can you please show us that where it can be mostly used? very lovely indeed
Happy if you come to see me at
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
with love from
Farah

Annette-California said...

I wanted to stop by and say Hello! I haven't seen this stitch before. Looks Beautiful Kim. No I haven't stitched your gingerbread house yet..I'm getting close. Goal to be done before Christmas:)

Kim said...

Bethany - Thanks! Getting the tension right always seems to by my problem too and you could really tell on my first attempts at this stitch :) I think it does get better with practice!
Archie - Thanks! This is a fun one to do.
Farah - Thank you! I am wondering where I would use this too, I am thinking that it would make a beautiful border on a tea towel or even a decorative edge on a scarf.
Annette - Hello! I hadn't seen this stitch before either - or heard of it! Have fun with the gingerbread house - you have plenty of time! I am planning on doing another one too - hopefully before Christmas.

JennyPennyPoppy said...

Great tutorial and pictures Kim. This is the challenge stitch this week on Sharon's pintangle.com Take A Stitch Tuesday (TAST) site. Very helpful :)