Stem Stitch : The Most Popular Stitching Technique
Stem Stitch is a type of outline stitch and it is the most widely used stitching method. Stem Stitch is also known by the name of crewel stitch, back stitch and South Kensington stitch. The stitch is worked in left to right direction with tiny constant stitches being made along the design line. There are very few differences between the Stem Stitch and outline stitch, which gives the impression to most people that both of these stitches are the same. With the Stem Stitch, the needle work is done in left to right direction, and every time the thread is moved from across the top of the last stitch.
While in an outline stitch the thread lies to the left side of the needle, and in a Stem Stitch the thread lies to the right side of the needle. The designs created with Stem Stitch are done with forward as well as backward direction, with each stitch moving a step behind the last stitch. This stitch is an ancient form of stitching, but still it is quite easy to learn and highly versatile. The embroidery work developed using this stitching technique always looks elegant. This technique is used by embroiderers in order to create innovative and fascinating embroidery patterns.
Stem Stitch is used in most of the embroidery work used in making leaf and floral patterns. In addition, you can also create curves and lines using this stitching technique. This stitch can create embroidery which is either complicated or smooth. The size of the thread used in this stitching can be of different size, but it is best to use a single line of thread. However, you can add a little bead work in order to get great effects from this technique. A popular form of this stitching technique is the whipped Stem Stitch. This method works over contrasting colors in which a basic backstitch is worked, with the second color being laced under the present stitches.
Stem Stitch is quite popular and it is used extensively in creating stems of flowers. In case you require a thick stitch for a particular design, it can be achieved by shortening the stitches and increasing the angle. The technique in mentioned here in a step by step process. The thread is first brought out and held with the thumb. The needle is then inserted and brought out midway between the initial position of the thread and the place of insertion. The thread is pulled in order to get the first stitch. The working thread is then held down with your thumb and the needle is again inserted and brought out at the place of first insertion. This process is continued with each of the stitch being of the same length.
Stem Stitch is popularly used in creating Rose patterns, which is quite easy to work. For this stitch, you would need a chenille needle, a HB pencil, 15mm button and a 7mm silk ribbon. A Melanie rose pattern requires combining simple stitches and it is quite easy for even beginners to create.
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stem stitch, shisha stitch, metal stitching, how to stitch
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