Split Stitch Embroidered Slips (Flowers) for Applique

I'm still very slow at sewing and embroidery due to the wrist injury that I did in November, so I was really pleased to be able to complete a project for a friend *before* the deadline. (Only a day before, but I count a win as a win!)

These embroidered flowers were appliqued onto a 14th Century gown. They were done in DMC floss in split stitch over a damask fabric. Using split stitch on appliqued decorative fabric is a really good way to cover a lot of area relatively quickly.

Tackling UFOs - A Split Stitch Heraldic Napkin

I've been trying to keep myself  distracted with small projects that keep me busy but don't really matter. I have  a lot of work to do for other people at the moment, but don't really trust myself to do a good job.... so out comes the huge pile of Un Finished Objects (UFOs).

This is a simple commercially produced cotton napkin I picked up in a thrift shop somewhere. I tend to buy a lot of them when they are really cheap because they are so handy for events; wiping hands, covering food and cups etc. I never seem to have enough.

Embroidering versions of my device looks a bit nicer than just putting my name on the napkins, and I think contributes a bit to the over-all feel of the event.

I usually just trace a version of my device onto the cloth with a Frixion removable marker over a window or other light source, then embroider round the design in the stitch of choice. I like a small hoop because it is easy to use on the go or in front of the TV and keeps the tension even. I tend to prefer split stitch (as with this one) because it gives a nice even line, good coverage and goes around corners well. Here I have used two strands of DMC cotton floss for budget reasons. Silk would be a very nice alternative and is more authentic for the period. Similarly, a hand hemmed linen cloth would be more accurate for a sixteenth century noble lady.

Another one done and ready to add to the pile.

Split-Stitch Embroidery on Woolen Hoods

Here is a project that I worked on back in August to help some friends. They were running a big event and wanted a way to identify key people on the event team, like the Head Herald, List Keeper, Head Cook etc. They came up with the idea of different coloured hoods, and I volunteered to embroider some of the designs.

Marking out embroidery designs on wool can be problematic. Normally I would recommend tracing out the design with ink, lead pencil, chalk or removable felt tip pen or Frixion pen. Sometimes, using the prick and pounce method works well. None of these methods were appropriate for this particular surface as the wool was rather fuzzy and absorbent.

I printed out the designs that I needed, then traced the design onto tracing paper.

I (pretty thoroughly) pinned the paper into place on the hood. It is important to have the design pinned down well so that it doesn't move at all. I sewed over the design in a very small running stitch.

Once the design was marked out in yellow hand sewing thread, I carefully ripped off the tracing paper, trying not to pull or distort the running stitch.

This left me with a faintly marked line of stitching to follow.

I went over the running stitch with a double strand of embroidery floss in split stitch.

I was very pleased with the final result. The motifs stood out well against the green and black wool.

Embroidered Napkin - A&S Century Challenge

I took a break from secret scribal stuff & works for other people and finished off an embroidered cloth. The motif is embroidered in split stitch with two strands of DMC cotton floss.

Split-stitch Celtic Motif

I was given a book of Celtic animal motifs at Easter, and the recent embroidery efforts of some of my SCA friends inspired me to try one in split stitch on a linen band.

I traced the motif out with craft carbon and started sewing the sections in split stitch. The stitch direction followed the shape of the animals' muscles. I used DMC cotton floss instead of silk to save money. The base fabric is linen.

 

Part way through the project I was finding it very difficult to keep track of where I should be sewing as the carbon started to fade. So I went over the outlines in black split stitch and then just went back and filled the sections. Much easier!

 

I added some highlights around the face and feet. The head curls look white in the photo but are actually a very pale green. 

 

I used this piece as a 'sampler' to develop my skills in a technique that I am not very experienced in. It was very time consuming and challenging to keep the stitch tension correct, but I am pleased with the result and can already see more split-stitch projects on the horizon. The resulting piece has a pleasing weight and texture and would look good as an applied motif on clothing.