This is the Crossed Blanket Stitch. It is a variation on one of my favorite go-to stitches - the Blanket Stitch. I am sure this variation will also be a favorite. There are so many places to use the blanket stitch, it will be nice to have such a beautiful variation to use as well.
I am adding this stitch to my 100 Stitches plus journey.
I found this stitch to be easier to do if I made myself some guidelines. Much like the Blanket Stitch, this one requires even spacing to look its best!
My first step was to draw the guidelines. I drew two parallel lines. Mine are 1/2" apart - fairly wide and just for my demonstration - it is easier to see my steps. I think 3/8" would be a better, neater looking size for this stitch.
I worked this stitch from left to right. The first step is to come up through the fabric on the bottom line:
Pull all the way through:
Next I went back into the fabric on the top guideline, a bit to the right of where my floss emerged:
I came back out of the fabric on the bottom guideline and right next to the spot where the floss first emerged. Notice the needle is at a slant and that the tip of the needle is passing over the working floss:
Pull all the way through:
Next I brought the needle around to the top guideline and went back into the fabric a little to the left of where I first went in on the top guideline:
I came out on the bottom guideline - notice the needle is at a slant and the tip of the needle is again going over the working floss:
Pull all the way through:
That is the first stitch - notice it forms an "x". I just continued those same steps
At the end of the bottom guideline, I went back into the fabric to end the line of stitching:
Here is a look at the underside of this stitch:
When I was finished, I did this again with guidelines that were 3/8" apart. I washed out the guidelines and here is the result. I think the stitching looks better being a bit smaller:
Here is a close up view:
This beautiful stitch is from the book Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb.
Like you, Kim, I love the blanket stitch. This is such a nice variation of it. I admit, I always do my stitches freehand, but after seeing your spacing...I think yours look so much better! And I like the smaller size, too. I think being more compact looks neater, maybe?
ReplyDeleteHi Darlene - Thanks! I agree. It seems like whenever I do the blanket stitch freehand, I go so far and then take it back out because I can see it is not even lol - for me it is better to start with the guidelines :)
ReplyDeleteNice stitch Kim! Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous week!
Hugs and love from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Hi Kim
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me thank you so so much for continuing to blog and share your stitching. I love this stitch and will use it on my current Crazy Quilt block. Thanks also for mentioning Mary Webb's book. I thought I had it, but don't. Of course if I had it, I'd be using it, right?! So I ordered a used copy.
xx, Carol
Thank you Ana! Have a wonderful weekend :)
ReplyDeleteHi Carol - You are welcome! I love learning these stitches. I think this one in particular will be gorgeous on a Crazy Quilt block. I am so happy you ordered the book - it is such a good one but really hard to find!!
Thank you so much for your post. I have been tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to do this stitch and your post was the best I found online and in all the books of embroidery I own. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHi BeckyR :) Thank you! I am so glad you found this one helpful. I love this stitch but it is a complicated one.
ReplyDelete