Technique Tuesday with Rachel Hall

Hand-stitching on Layouts 101
Materials Used:
Pencil
Ruler (I prefer the Tim Holtz ruler as it has a stitching holes guide in it)
Paper Piercer
Punch Pad
Needle
Embroidery Floss

There are two main stitches that I use when I hand-stitch on layouts, the running stitch and the back stitch. Both are easy to do!
The Running Stitch:
1.) Using a ruler and a paper piercer, punch holes in paper where you plan to stitch. I like to have my holes 1/4" apart.


2.) Thread needle with desired floss. Tie off the end of one of the strands. This will allow you to stitch using just one strand.

3.) Starting from the wrong side of your paper, thread the needle through the first hole you pierced.

4.) Now bring the needle down through the front of the paper towards the wrong side.
5.) From the wrong side of your paper, thread the needle through the next hole .

6.) Repeat until you are done with the area you are stitching.


The Back Stitch:
1.) Using a ruler and a paper piercer, punch holes in paper where you plan to stitch.

2.) Thread needle with desired floss. Tie off the end of one of the strands. This will allow you stitch using just one strand.
3.) Starting from the wrong side of your paper, thread the needle through the first hole you pierced (just like you are going to start the straight stitch).
4.) Now bring the needle down through the front of the paper towards the wrong side.

5.) From the wrong side of your paper, thread the needle through the next hole .

6.) Now bring your needle down through the previous hole, to create a stitch that is continuous.

7.) Bring your needle up through the next hole with no stitching from the wrong side of the paper to the front.
8.) Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you are done stitching the area you are stitching.

One Step Further:
Now you can use both of these basic stitches to add custom elements to your page!
1.) Simply draw the design you want, where you want it.
2.) Punch your holes using a paper piercer.
3.) Erase pencil lines.
4.) Using your desired stitch, stitch the design.
Thanks so much Rachel!

2 comments:

Sherry said...

sweet instruction, Rachel..

Amy said...

Thank you so much!!!