Split Stitch : Learn The Ancient Stitching Technique Of The Middle Ages
Split Stitch is a variant of the stem stitch. This stitching technique is also known as Kensington outline stitch and it is utilized for filling and outlines wherever you require fine flat filling. In order to work with this stitch, you would require a stranded or a soft thread that could be split easily. The resemblance to stem stitch occurs only in the form of the emergence of the needle from the fabric. In this case, the needle passes through the thread and it is pulled then. Even though the effect created by Split Stitch looks likes a chain stitch, it is far finer compared to it. Split Stitch is also known as back stitch and it was quite popular in the Middle Age.
During the past, silk and gold threads were used in this stitching technique in order to develop expensive fabrics. The embroidery created using Split Stitch and metallic floss threads created remarkable embroidery work. This technique was utilized in order to showcase finer shapes and facial structures of different embroidery patterns. Mostly, it is used in order to create outline embroidery since curves are followed effectively. The stitch is quite easy to work and it can be carried out instantly if you concentrate and practice it regularly. The result achieved from this embroidery work is as striking as the versatility of this stitching technique. You get a marvelous shading effect from the tiny form of split stitches. These particular stitches work well on tightly woven silk satin, linen and twilled silk.
Split Stitch makes the framework looks amazing and it can be expressed as a puzzled chain stitch. The best fabric for this technique is the even weave fabric. This is because, with this fabric, you can easily see the threads and count them without any sort of difficulty. Even though learning this stitching technique is quite easy, but mastering it can take time and lots of effort. During the middle Ages, Split Stitch was popular due to the technique known as ‘opus Anglicanism’, which was utilized in order to develop abundantly meticulous faces and figures in tapestry. This stitching technique is not only convenient to work, but it can be used to create elegant-looking brush-stroke effects. For this reason, this embroidery technique is popular with embroiderers even today.
The following step by step method will take you through the way in which a Split Stitch is made. First, hold the fabric inside an embroidery hoop. The needlework design is then transferred onto the fabric. Point out the areas that you want to fill with the Split Stitch. Then, get a soft thread or yarn that can be easily split with a needle. Select tapestry or embroidery floss or crewel yard which is multi-stranded, which will give you the best stitch. The needle is worked from behind the fabric, with the tail of the yarn being held on the back of the work. Next, determine the stitch length by the required superiority of the work and the area that needs to be covered.
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Related Tags:
split stitch, star stitch, English stitch, chain stitch
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