Cloud filling?

The climate outside is cool and windy with a bit of drizzling at times.Iam sitting inside, lazing around ,with absolutely no plans as of now to cook lunch - (but whether I like it or not, I've to..hrrmph!!)

And Iam pretty pleased with myself - know why? I've learned a new stitch- a very simple one. Hmm...what are you thinking now? -whether I'll tell you all about it or not? Ofcourse ,yes.If I don't share with you all,wouldn't I get a tummy pain? :)

The stitch in question is pretty simple,but I'd to try it out a couple of times to get the knack of it.Here it is -

This stitch is called Cloud filling or Mexican Stitch. It can be used to decoratively fill large areas rather quickly. This would look pretty on frocks and tops especially. You can use embellishments or french knots in the space in between. But special care should be taken to keep the foundation (yellow stitches) absolutely even. I'll show you what happens otherwise in the next few pics.
Here's how you go about this stitch :

Step 1 : Mark the foundation lines - make sure they are even and small. Also the spacing between the vertical rows should be more than what I've allotted. If these basic mistakes are committed ,your pattern will have a different look (scroll down to see what I mean)


Step 2 : Stitch vertical foundation stitches- Remember to keep it small and even.


Step 3 : Come up at the topmost row,just under the foundation stitch to start the looping.With a tapestry needle (preferably) go under the tacking stitches as shown without piercing the fabric.




Go down at the end of each row and start the same process from the other end. Make sure that the looping thread is long enough to cover a row.
Here's the completed stitch


Compare my first pic and the above one. Do you notice the difference? Which style did you like?
If you don't want to spend too much time in embroidering ,but at the same time want to show off your skills - this stitch is for you :) Infact I found quite a few similar stitches. I also found some other stitches being called by the name Mexican stitch - did you know that buttonhole stitch outlining is also called Mexican stitch? Sheaf stitch is also known by the same name - confusing isn't it? Here's the link to the Victorian embroidery page which contains some information about other mexican stitches.

Time for me to go. Till I come up with something else, tata...

Love,luck and sunshine,
Deepa

Comments

  1. Fascinating. I prefered the second, but I can see both having their uses.

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  2. Deepa,
    Thank you so much for doing this tutorial on your blog. It is so much easier for me to 'see' it this way and understand than to just read a quick stitch guide in a book! Good job too!

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  3. Jane,
    I too liked the second one - was a bit hesitant in admitting it though :)

    Thanks for the comment,Susan. Always a pleasure to be of some use to you all.

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  4. Hi Deepa,
    lovely sttich..i too like this stitch..we used to call it waves ..:)..(u might have know my prob in naming a stitch).its really goes well for fillings..if u dont mind can i give u a tip..make the fundamental sttich as small as possible and also use same colorfor both and see the effect..its not easy to fin dout how the sttich is done..:)

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  5. this is my kind of stitch, will try it

    neki desu

    ReplyDelete

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