Immediately, we’re tackling Half 2 of Harvest Hues, our present stitch-along! We’re stitching ornamental autumn leaves adorned with myriad embroidery stitches, resplendent in autumn colours.
For those who’re new to the stitch-along idea otherwise you’re simply becoming a member of us on this mission, you’ll be able to learn extra about Harvest Hues and the way the stitch-along works right here within the Harvest Hues Undertaking Index. It’s also possible to learn extra concerning the stitch-along and the mission normally right here on this introduction.
If you wish to use the identical supplies which are proven within the stitched samples for Harvest Hues – together with prime quality embroidery linen that you simply gained’t discover in native cloth shops, coordinating colours of wool-blend felt, all of the threads and beads, and different supplies for ending – you’ll be able to discover the supplies package for Harvest Hues obtainable right here in my store. As soon as it sells out, it’s gone for no less than a yr if not longer. So seize one when you can! Every package incorporates no less than sufficient provides for 3 full leaves.
In case you are a member of the Needle ‘n Thread Neighborhood on Patreon, I’ve already posted all the knowledge that you simply’ll discover on this article – plus much more (we often work forward a bit on Patreon) – within the downloadable PDF for Half 2.
Right here we go!
In Half 1 of Harvest Hues, I introduced you with the design, supplies record, and knowledge on set-up and switch for the mission.
Immediately we’re going to have a look at the query of coloration and we’ll put within the first stitches.
Please observe that this mission leaves you lots of room in your personal interpretation. I’m not going to let you know “Sew this sew on this coloration on this aspect.” As an alternative, I’m going to point out you the best way to think about the colours and get them to work in a development throughout your leaf design. After which I’m going to present you sew recommendations and present you a number of the (many) methods you’ll be able to sew the weather.
Our samples right here on the studio are broadly diverse. I sewed some and Anna stitched some, and, working with sure parameters for our sew decisions (largely protecting them very fundamental), we interpreted components as we went. This afforded lots of selection among the many leaves, in order that no two leaves are the identical.
I encourage you to strategy stitching this mission the identical means. You need every leaf to finish up being an fascinating variation of the design. You probably have three or extra leaves adorning some ornamental side of your property, they’ll draw the attention and interact the thoughts a little bit extra if they’re all a little bit totally different. So attempt for selection among the many leaves in each coloration placement and sew alternative, as an alternative of absolute uniformity.
Earlier than you begin stitching, take into consideration the colours you’re utilizing and the leaf you’re embroidering.
To get that coloration motion throughout the leaf that’s typical of the autumn coloration change, you wish to regularly transfer the colour up from the bottom of the leaf to the tip.
I organized my colours going from greens (and browns) on the base (the vast a part of the leaf) to lighter yellow, darker yellow, oranges, after which reds (on the tip).
It would assist to sit down down with some coloured pencils or related, print the design web page that’s in Half 1, and mark up the design with a development of coloration up the leaf.
You don’t should comply with your marked up leaf precisely, however doing it will allow you to pay attention to the final areas of coloration that you simply wish to carry throughout in your completed leaf.
Mixing Colour
There are a selection of the way to mix colours when working with embroidery floss on the sort of design. What we wish to obtain is a gradual flowing of coloration up the leaf, fairly than blocks of strong coloration.
These are some methods you’ll be able to transfer coloration regularly throughout the mission utilizing the thread colours offered:
1. You need to use variegated threads (now we have one variegated thread within the package).
2. You need to use a couple of thread coloration within the needle.
3. You need to use many shades of varied colours. (We use a pair shades of many of the colours within the mission.)
4. You need to use a couple of coloration on an embroidered aspect, drawing within the numerous colours from the encompassing coloration areas, to make every coloration space mix collectively. (That is what we are going to primarily do on this mission.)
You’ll discover as I submit photos of the weather of the leaves, that many of the components are embroidered in a couple of coloration, drawing within the surrounding colours to assist them mix and to maintain from forming strong blocks of coloration on the leaf. Right here and there, certain, there are some strong coloured components, and that’s tremendous, too! Add strong coloured components the place you actually wish to focus a coloration on the leaf.
You’ll be able to manipulate what coloration stands out in an space of the leaf by figuring out how a lot of anyone coloration you’ll use on a component. Use the dominant coloration essentially the most, and the secondary colours as accents. You’ll see this illustrated as we work by way of the stitched components.
First Stitches
The primary components we’re going to sew on this mission are highlighted in coloration on the diagram beneath. They embody the stem or vein up the middle of the leaf, the 2 spiral components, and the small dashed line that meanders down from the tip of the leaf.
After stitching many leaves, it grew to become evident that it’s best to start out with the heavy vein down the center of the leaf after which to sew round that vein (and even, in some circumstances, over it) when working the encompassing components.
To maintain the vein good and heavy and distinguished (which can turn out to be useful when ending), I embroidered it in whipped chain sew, and on most samples, it’s stitched in brown.
On most of my samples, the inspiration chain sew is labored with 4 strands of darkish brown floss and the whipped sew round every chain sew is labored in three strands of sunshine brown floss. This makes a heavy embroidered line. On samples, the chain is mild brown, the whipped sew is darkish brown. And on no less than one pattern, the vein is inexperienced whipped with brown.
You’ll be able to discover a tutorial for chain sew right here. Attempt to work the chain stitches between 1/8″ – 1/4″ lengthy. 1/8″ will in all probability be too brief, since you’re utilizing a heavy quantity of floss. Shorter chain stitches will find yourself fatter. 1/4″ could be barely lengthy – which can skinny the chain stitches out. Attempt for one thing in between.
You’ll be able to discover a tutorial for whipping a sew right here. It’s a whipped backstitch tutorial, however the idea is similar for any whipped sew.
Within the picture above, you’ll be able to see the daring vein in brown. On this explicit pattern, the spiral overlaps the vein.
Discover that the dominant coloration within the spiral is yellow. The inspiration was labored with mild inexperienced, utilizing 4 strands of floss, in operating sew.
Then, I laced the operating sew with mild yellow, to drag in additional yellow. Lacing is barely totally different from whipping a sew, and extra of the yellow confirmed up as a result of the lacing stitches are longer and extra seen than the shorter operating stitches.
You’ll be able to discover a tutorial for operating sew right here.
You’ll be able to discover a tutorial for lacing a sew right here. It’s laced backstitch within the tutorial, however the idea is similar when lacing any sew.
On this spiral, I used the darker yellow-orange for the operating sew, and I whipped the funning sew with crimson. This pulled in lots of crimson on that aspect of the leaf.
Tip: Use a tapestry needle when whipping or lacing your stitches! The blunt tip might be much less prone to catch on the inspiration stitches or the material as you’re employed the whipping or lacing.
Within the picture above, you’ll be able to see the small meandering line that comes down from the tip and swirls over the top of the vein.
I labored that in crimson, utilizing two strands of floss and a stem sew.
The 2 strands and stem sew stored this curving line a lot lighter than the stem, so it didn’t break the leaf aside all the way in which as much as the tip.
You’ll be able to work this line in operating sew, whipped or laced or left plain, relying on how a lot weight you wish to the road.
You’ll discover in that picture that there are many surrounding components which are stitched in a number of colours. That is how we made the colour circulate up the leaf, fairly than present up in blocks of strong coloration.
It additionally makes stitching the weather rather more entertaining!
These components will get you began with the stitching on Harvest Hues, and subsequent week, we’ll transfer on to a number of the bigger floral components across the leaf.
Bear in mind, these are all sew recommendations. You probably have favourite stitches or different concepts that you simply wish to check out, don’t hesitate! One of many details of this mission is to realize a diverse look to the leaf, and typically, the easiest way to try this on any mission is thru experimentation.
On the lookout for Extra?
You’ll find all kinds of sew directions below the How To part right here on Needle ‘n Thread. You’ll additionally discover extra stitches, composite stitches, and sew mixtures within the Sew Enjoyable collection right here on Needle ‘n Thread. Be happy to discover these!
You’ll discover the Harvest Hues Undertaking Index right here, for different articles on this stitch-along. Because the stitch-along develops, every article might be added to the record.
Have an excellent weekend!