STITCH COURSE
Lesson IX
There are various Darning Stitches. Above is called Surface Darning. This stitch is a form of darning with minimal contact with the fabric. A layer of slightly-spaced laid work is stitched, and then another layer at 90 degrees is woven in and out of the laid work. Both layers of stitching only penetrate the fabric at the start and end of each row. This can be worked in line with the grain of the fabric, or at an oblique angle.
- Step One through Step Three below shows how easily you can do this stitch:
Step Two:
To start the weaving, bring the needle up to the surface at an adjacent edge and weave it over and under the vertical stitches. Take the needle down at the opposite edge.
Now, bring the needle up on the same edge, leaving a small space between the horizontal threads. Weave the needle back in the opposite direction, so it alternates with the threads of the previous row.
Draw through the thread.
Tease it into place with a blunt tapestry needle (our gold needle is perfect) to create a straight line.
Continue working back and forth. See picture at the top for finished.
Straight equally sized and spaced stitches for our next Pattern Darning stitch
called the Running Stitch.
Running stitch has been employed as a decorative stitch across the world for centuries: in 5th century Egypt; in Buratto evenweave embroidery in 16th century Europe; Kantha in Bangladesh and eastern Indian (dating from at least the 16th century); Sashiko in Japan (dating from slightly later); Huckaback embroidery in 17th century Europe; and Kashmir embroidery in (probably) 19th century northern India.
Whether you are going in circles – curves – or straight lines, enssure the under stitches are also of equal length so that stitches are equally spaced.
Running as well as other darning stitches are great for backgrounds, clouds, lots of spaces – they present
a flatter stitch than traditional needlepoint stitches
because the thread goes over or under the canvas not around the around the threads.
That makes it an excellent choice for backgrounds
because it will always see further away than basketweave or tent ,
as well as other heavier specialty stitches.
