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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Quck question for embroiderers  |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 10:56:40 AM
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I'm getting ready to embroider a set of 7 Days of the Week dishtowels and am stuck. One of my grandma's taught me to embroider when I was a little kid, but I've forgotten much of what she told me. I remember the basic stitches, though, thank goodness.
Anyway, I'm confused about when to use the outline stitch as opposed to the backstitch. Several ladies I know who embroider have told me they never use the outline stitch. But I wondered if I should use it to outline the girl's dress & anything else.
In a nutshell, I guess, my question is -- Do you use the outline stitch and, if so, for what things?
Thanks, ladies, for any help you can give me.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 11:22:15 AM
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Patti,
It's really up to you. Years ago, outline or stem stitch were used mostly. You would rarely find a pattern or kit that used back stitch. It was generally resereved for hand sewing garment seams.
Now, with the more primitive country look, you will find more items in gift stores and the like with back stitch being used. Part of the this, I think, is from the use of back stitch in counted cross stitch patterns (you can't use outline stitch in counted thread work) which have been so popular the last couple decades.
It all depends on the effect you want. Outline stitch will be more solid and raised looking and backstitch will be finer, more "sketchy" looking and flat to the fabric. You might try a sample of a few inches before you start your project.
Jana |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 11:29:46 AM
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Thanks, Jana. Both your explanation & suggestion made sense. I sometimes can't believe how something is so crystal clear after someone suggests it (like practicing both to see which I like better)! Sometimes I don't have, as my German grandfather said, "the sense God gave a goose" 
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
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nitere
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Amy
Hickory
NC
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 12:00:50 PM
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ya know, i have never used the outline stitch, just the backstitch. but now i am thinking about trying the outline stitch..just to see if i like it better.
http://www.buraellen.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
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faithymom
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Faith
Sandpoint
ID
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 7:27:23 PM
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I generally use a backstitch because I have always had difficulty getting the outline stitch to stay nice and neat, especially around curves.
Faith
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Quck question for embroiderers |
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Quck question for embroiderers
