Stem seam in video and photo performance lessons

July 15, 2017 handmadebase

Content

Technique of execution of the stalk seam
Nuances of preparation for work
Video: Stem Stitch and Other Types of Hand Stitches

The stalk suture is one of the mostused due to the ease of its embroidery. It got its name because it is in this way that stems of various flowers are often embroidered. As a rule, it is with this stitch that lessons of experienced craftswomen begin, who teach those who want to embroider.
This stitch can be used to create borders of any design, or to fill it completely, like a satin stitch. In addition, it goes well with many other stitches: goat,
, counted or printed cross stitch. This is a universal technique, thanks to which embroidery can be created using only this stitch, or it can serve as an accent, decoration of some nuances.

Technique of execution of the stalk seam

According to the technology, the stem joint can be divided into two types:

ordinary;
Condensed.

Common stem sutureBoth species, likethe vast majority of seams are embroidered from left to right. In order to secure the thread without knots on the back side, two consecutive stitches must be made on the edge of the outline of the drawing. Then, according to the sketch, step back 2-2.5 mm to the right, make the first stitch, return the needle to the left under the back side, pull it out together with the previous puncture. Next, pull the thread, step back the same distance again, and repeat the manipulation described above. It is important to ensure that the thread is not pulled tightly after bringing it to the front side of the embroidery.
The result should be a thin, slightly convex line, as in the photo.

Condensed stem stitchTo embroidera compacted stem stitch, you need to bring the needle out not at the place of the first puncture, but in the middle of the previous stitch. The resulting pattern ultimately resembles a neat little cord. Its thickness depends on the thickness of the thread and the length of the stitch.
Photo of such a seam:
As a rule, such a seam is used to make a beautiful hem. To sew it, you should take a thick thread - this way the seam will be more effective.
In other words, the stem stitch capturesmaterial from the front side. The characteristic feature of this seam is that the thread from the back side is twice shorter than the one that actually forms the pattern on the front side. That is, each subsequent stitch will protrude beyond the previous one by half the length.

Thus, the seam is sewn by moving the needle towards you, and it is laid the other way around – away from you.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to make several stitches at once, which is allowed, for example, when making a running stitch. This will lead to the fabric tightening and the thread getting tangled.
In this type of embroidery, one stitch follows another, so you need to carefully ensure that the thread is always above the needle when making the next stitch.
A beautiful stem stitch pattern will formonly if each stitch is the same size. How long it will be depends on the thickness of the embroidery thread. The thinner it is, the shorter the stitch should be, and vice versa. The maximum stitch length should not be more than 5 mm.
Also, the stitch length may depend on the pattern.So, on the bends, the stitches should not be large. Therefore, if there are many of them on the selected sketch, you should take this into account in advance and make stitches of the same size along the entire length of the line. If the embroidery on the bends is done with too long stitches, it can spoil the overall condition of the picture due to the blurred contours. You also need to bring the needle to the front side along the bend from the side into which it is wrapped.

To make the branch thicker in the floral pattern, gradually increase the length of the stitch, while bringing the needle to the front side a little below the middle of the previous stitch.
In case you run out of thread or need to startwork in another place of the drawing, you need to insert the needle at the point where the embroidery could be continued, bring the thread to the inside, wrap it around several stitches, cut the thread. When starting the next fragment, you can also secure the thread by passing it through several existing stitches on the inside.
To make sure that the seam is correct, just look at the back side: there should be an even stitch, similar to a machine stitch.
It is important to remember that when performing stemWhen sewing, it is important to monitor the location of the working thread - it should be either always on the right or always on the left. If this rule is violated, then the desired pattern will not be achieved.

Nuances of preparation for work

Before you start working, the fabric on which you will beembroider the pattern, it is better to wash it. If you do not do this, the material may shrink after the first wash and thus the pattern may be deformed. It is better to embroider with a stem stitch on clean linen or cotton material. On canvas it will not look so organic.
To make the drawing more precise, it is better to keep it simple.Use a pencil or a special washable marker to copy it onto the front side of the fabric. Beginners should choose patterns that have clearly defined boundaries.
The thread should not be too long, otherwise it will twist and get tangled, which will disrupt the structure and the embroidery will look sloppy.
To summarize, the following conditions can be identified for a beautiful stem stitch:

Equal length of stitches;

Direction of stitches in one direction;

Injection of the needle into the bends;

When imitating embroidery with a smooth surface, each line that fills the pattern starts from the same side.

Also, the stalk suture is often used when embroidering with beads. It helps to make the drawing more even and dense.

To do this, you need to secure the thread to the fabric, taketwo pieces of beads, string them, insert the needle through two ovals, as in the taken picture, bring it out between the strung beads. Next, you need to pull the thread through the last bead, add the next one, insert the needle into the fabric through another oval, bring the needle out between the last two beads. And so on, repeat these steps as much as needed for the picture.
If, after starting to work, you get the impression that the embroidery is not working correctly, you can watch a video that will help you figure everything out.