November 09, 2009

Embroidery Color Wheel - Stitches

Are you making a color wheel!? I would love to know if you are :) leave me a comment or email me and I will make a list in my sidebar, so I can keep up with you!

A quick project recap -
- In this post I showed you my large color wheel done in embroidery.
- In this post I shared the DMC numbers with you.
- In this post I showed you how I like to get started.

Now to start stitching! I start with 18" of floss, work one color at a time, and plan to go back with a second length as needed later. Let's start with a quick back stitch to mark the circle (if you want to!) -With the back stitch you start in the center and move to the back of the drawn line, work under and then insert where you began. Keep moving along the line with each new color of thread.

Seed stitch is my go to for filling in the gaps - I don't have a picture of the stitch in progress, but it is simply up and down, and for this project the more random the better!

Chain stitch or daisy chains are fun and quick! Once you get the hang of it you will want to make rows and rows of them. For this project I didn't put to many together, if ever. Making it random makes the project exciting!
Bring your needle up, then reinstert your needle into the same spot, and bring it up about a 1/4" or less away, wrap the floss around your needle and draw the thread out. Then insert on the other side of the loop created in your floss.
This one is a variation of a scallop stitch. Sometimes I add a french knot to the center, sometimes it is a flower if you add a longer stem. As far I'm concerned there are no rules to worry about breaking! Start by drawing your needle up, move over a bit insert needle and bring it up, tuck the floss under the needle before drawing it through and secure the floss with a stitch.

French knots. Why do these evoke fear in people? It's all in how you wrap the floss around the needle. I've had a bit of frustration with these too, but they are so nice, and simple once you get the hang of it!

Draw the needle up, then wrap once (I am using 6 strands of floss) from top to bottom, reinsert the needle, keeping the thread taut pull the needle to the back, making a knot on top. Easy - right!?
Keep working the section as long as your thread will let you. Try being random, even if it doesn't come easy, it wasn't for me at first, but is so relaxing now.
Now move on to your next color, and watch your own color wheel come to life!

Please let me know if you have questions, and I linked to HEN's stitch-a-day instructions if you need more clarification. Please let me know if you are stitching with me :)

Happy Monday!
Amy
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20 comments:

Terriaw said...

I forgot to pick up my supplies to make this color wheel, so I haven't started mine yet. But I am more motivated now that you posted these wonderful instructions. This is great!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to make one! I have all the necessary bits and can't wait to start! Thank you for posting the instructions.
I really like the stars and they're definitely going to be in my wheel. French knots however are definitely my nemesis! They're either too small or too loose, but maybe this is the time to sort them out once and for all!

audreypawdrey said...

This is something that I might have to try! Thanks for the detailed instructions Amy!

Kelly O. said...

Great post! very clear!
I won't be getting to this until after Christmas but I hope to try it in January :)

p.s. how did your dress turn out?
Did you have a fabulous time at the ball?

Marcia said...

This defintely looks like a great Winter project to me. I need to spend the next 40 some days getting my Christmas presents completed first. Thanks for sharing more details. It will really help when I'm ready.

Rene' said...

I will definitely be stitching along. I have my supplies ready and hope to get started today. Is there a particular schedule/plan/time frame we are working with? I did order some COSMO threads but they haven't arrived yet. I already have the DMC so I'll use that. Thanks for the fun project.

Erin said...

I am also stitching along! If I can pry my DMC floss from Edna the turtles clammy...paws? Do turtles have paws? :)

Marie said...

I am a little ambitious so I am making a bigger one. And I'm learning new stitches from a book I have and from The Hand Embroidery Network. So it is going to take a little longer I will post something about it this week.

Kelly O. said...

Ha hA! i just realized that i confused two amy's!
I had my son on my lap this morning and he was wiggly so I totally got confused!
Sorry--no ball for you--unless there's something you're not sharing :)

Anonymous said...

i don't have time to stitch along right now...but rest assured, this is on my to do list!

Rebekah said...

Thanks for showing how this is done. I never would have thought to draw a grid like this

Melinda said...

I bought all my supplies but have gotten sidetracked making yo-yo's. I plan on starting soon.

Rene' said...

Today was a complete bust for me...all day spent with computer issues and nothing resolved. I hope to work on this embroidery project tomorrow. Have a couple hour drive to son's doctor's appointment and hope to sew while husband drives. Thanks again for the instructions.

Little Lady Patchwork said...

This is a gorgeous project! I think that my embroidery floss is calling my name now....

Leah said...

your color wheel is so cool, and i LOVED the colors!!!!! thanks for the tutorial. love the random, unique stitches.

Jessica said...

I have all this embroidery floss from my grandmother's craft room---now all I need is a loop and I'll be all set!

Dresden Quilter said...

I am so fascinated and amazed of your colour wheel.

Rita @ Mochi Studios said...

This is such an awesome tutorial, Amy~! It's a great sampler project too! I love all the different stitches you used! Oh man, I wish I had time to stitch this too! Your pictures are really crisp too for close up shots!

Jane Moxey said...

I love this idea! Thanks for the neat tutorials and inspiration. What a nifty way to learn more hand embroidery stitches.

Anonymous said...

Amy! I've started my wheel and have just managed a french knot! I've never been able to do them before, but my first attempt came out great! Thanks so much for the instructions in your previous post.