Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Running Stitch-1

TAST-2012-10th Week-Running Stitch

This week Sharon has announced the Running Stitch for the challenge.You can visit Sharon's Page for TAST-2012 here:

Running Stitch is very simple and easy but also one of the stitches which can be combined with many other stitches easily. The beauty of this stitch is that one can create so many patterns out of this stitch.

The Running Stitch is used in India in the most famous traditional embroidery of Kanta. In fact Kanta work is one of my favorite work. I have embroidered many saris, blouses, kurthas in this work for the simple reason that it is very easy to work and one can finish off early. There is a rythum in this stitch/work which when achieved is very soothing on ones nerves like knitting. The beauty of well aligned stitches is the high light of this work.

In Kanta work a simple running stitch is used in many ways and combinations. Motifs like, flowers, animals, human figures and the objects found in every day lives of the simple village folk, geometrical patterns are worked. 

Running stitch is also used in Embroideries from Japan of Kogin and Shashiko which are more geometrical.

Here is one of my creations in Kanta which I designed and embroidered with the help of my mother and sister long time back:


This is a mustard colour fine cotton sari from Venkatagiri with green and gold borders. Me and my sister both bought two of the same saris. The design in the borders are different but the peacock motifs on the pallu of both saris are same. I used only three colours-black red and green.
 These are the borders on top and bottom of the sari.
A closer look at the border.
These are the Peacocks on Pallu.

I couldn't photograph my sis's sari. I will try to get one. But do keep an eye for more on this stitch as incidentally I have been working on this stitch building up a sampler.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Couching Stitches-2

TAST-2012-9th Week-Couching Stitches

Here are some more of my exploration of Couching Stitches. 



I was so busy with my work that I hardly had any time to do much on these stitches. But I am jotting down all my ideas for further exploration after all this is over. Or else, it is difficult to keep up the pace and I will be left behind. 

But do keep an eye on my blog for more.....


Thursday, March 1, 2012

Couching Stitches-1

TAST-2012-9th Week-Couching Stitches

This week Sharon has announced Couching Stitches for the challenge. You can visit Sharon's Page at Pintangle for further information.

I have not done much couching before. So I am very excited to get this opportunity to explore the couching stitches. here are my first set of attempts:





My stitches are not perfect as I am finding it difficult sometimes to work on even weave fabric. I need more practice. Moreover after working many hours on key board, when I finally take up this needle work late in the night, my fingers don't co-operate with me :) :)....

Well these are my first attempt and I am warming up. But I have some idea in my mind for exploring which may be different and unique. Well let me explore and see whether they turn out well. So Keep an eye.