Chapter Three: Free Machine Stitchery

Tester Sample

I did my presample trials on this piece to test tension and thread weights. I include it because it's my favourite.

Straight Stitch

I used silk and rayon machine embroidery threads plus gold.

Settings

Metalfil needle 80/12

Feed dogs down

Stitch width & length 0

Normal tension

Zig Zag Stitch

I used a mix of threads in rainbow colours and the same bobbin colour and thread.

I used straight and zig zag stitches varying the width of the zig zag.

Row 5: I experimented with trapped threads.

I particularly liked the green thread spirals in row 4, square 1. I layered these in the multicoloured centre square.

Whip Stitch

I changed bobbin case to one with a looser tension.

I also changed machines and used a looser tension.

I used straight and zig zag stitches.

I used machine embroidery thread in rayon and silk.

Cable Stitch

I used the loose bobbin case and a loose tension.

I used a mix of threads in rainbow colours and varied the bobbin colour. I particularly liked the fine red perle with green bobbin thread in square 1 (top left)

I used straight and zig zag stitches.

Row 1: (left to right) perle, tapestry wool, perle

Row 2: tapisserie yarn, stranded cotton, soft embroidery thread

Row 3: hand-dyed silk slub, space-dyed boucle, perle

Row 4: soft embroidery thread, perle, tubular rayon

Row 5: Hand-dyed yarn, tapestry wool, cotton 4 strands