Stitches 59 to 61

Stitch 59 - Breton Stitch 

Stitch 60 - Diamond Stitch 

Stitch 61 - Raised Cross Stitch Flower 

Finally I am officially caught with TAST 2013 - at least the samples - I have yet to do any of the challenges or to start my own.

Stitch 59 is the Breton Stitch - according to Sharon B it is based on the herringbone stitch (week 5 in 2012).  It is said to make a good border and if worked row upon row it makes an interesting filling stitch - also changing the spacing of the stitches can change the look.  2 strand floss on the left & perle #5 on the right.

Stitch 60 is the Diamond Stitch.  I had some trouble with the stitch, seemed to be missing a step of Sharon's, but thanks to needlethread.com and Mary Thomas's Dictionary - I was able to grasp the stitch,  especially on how to wrap the thread.  Floss on the left and perle cotton #5 and #12 on the right

Stitch 61 is the Raised Cross Stitch Flower - also called the whipped cross stitch as the foundation of cross stitches are whipped around in a circle.  I am not too sure if I completed the flowers correctly, but I enjoyed trying. 6 strands of floss on the left and perle #5 on the right samples.

You will definitely enjoy the many wonderful samples at TAST FAQ.

Stitches 56 to 58

Sailors Stitch

Sailors Edge Stitch

Woven Detached Chain

Three new stitches from TAST that I have caught up on - always new things to learn - now just to take (have) the time to create an embroidered piece with these new stitches...

I have used floss for the left samples and perle #5 cotton for the right.

Sailors Stitch and Sailors Edge Stitch are similar, according to Sharon at TAST - listed as a border stitch, edging stitch or as an edge for applique work.

The third sample is the Woven Detached Chain - makes little leaves - guess I should have used green thread.

Stitches 51 to 55

Raised Herringbone Band Stitch

Triangular Feather Stitch

Herringbone Square Stitch
Laced Square Herringbone

Buttonholed Herringbone Stitch

Again, I am catching up - yeah!!  Here are Weeks 51 to 55 of TAST 2013 by Sharon B.  I have worked each of the stitches with:   on the left:  embroidery floss and on other right:  perle #5 cotton - perle always seems to be easier to work with and produces nicer stitches.

Stitch 51 was the Raised Herringbone - a nice simple stitch - you first needed a foundation with a band of satin stitch (stitch #13), then herringbone stitch (stitch #5).

Stitch 52 was the Triangular Feather Stitch - started off with the feather stitch (stitch #3) - stitches should be horizontal, but I did my vertical to fit my sampler...

Stitches 53 and 54 were together - Herringbone Square and Laced Square Herringbone - the Herringbone Square was a simple stitch and was used as the foundation for the Laced Square Herringbone - which was somewhat confusing and I am not really sure that I was able to follow Sharon's diagrams.

Stitch 55 was the Buttonholed Herringbone - this one I enjoyed as it started off with a simple Herringbone stitch and then worked single buttonhole stitches (stitch #3).

Hopefully I can catch up and then try one of Sharon's challenges...

BOM 2012

Front of the Quilt

Completed the Block of the Month 2012 quilt with Amy Gibson at Craftsy.com.  Had a lot of green in my quilting stash and needed a project for January.  Then Craftsy offered a free motion quilting course, with Leah Day, that was using the BOM 2012 as the sample - so I took that as well.

Definitely many hours later (some of them very frustrating...) I completed the quilt.  I had never 'really' free motion quilted before - so this is NOT my best work - nor will I be giving it to anyone - might make it to the cottage.

Back of the quilt

I have decided that free motion quilting is like driving down a very icy, curvy road with bald tires!!  Need LOTS of control.

Quite the learning experience - will try another course on free motion quilting - can only get better - right?

Yes, it is April here - and we still have snow on the ground!!! Will spring ever come?