This is the final example of straight stitches in our foundation seam treatment series. This time, this stitching technique is highlighting how you can use sequins in your seams.  

I could easily share far more than the four I’ve shared and will likely do so in the future. If you are new to crazy quilting I do hope I’ve inspired you to play around with some straight stitches. If you enjoy wool applique, all of the stitches in the series can be modified. All it takes is imagination.

Let’s start with our straight stitch seam treatment above. You may be surprised to learn it is simply a collection of varying shapes of straight stitches.

Using the Straight Stitching Technique With Sequins

I started by tracing V shapes which were then stitched with a lavender silk perle. I added a series of straight stitches in varying lengths and contrasting colours to both the top and bottom of the V’s. A purple sequin was added stitched in place with a seed bead.

French knots were added with metallics in both lavender and purple.

When I stitch I generally have a very small tray of bits next to me. I’ll frequently check this out if I have enough thread to use for a seam I’m working on prior to choosing a full skein. You will see the French Knots above were stitched with two different colours of metallic. I likely ran out of one so started experimenting with another colour. Remember, YOU are the designer so you may use what you wish.

The background base fabric is a gingham style print in a pale green which was overlaid with very fine lace trim. I opted to do this as the gingham was a bit bolder than I wanted for this section of my block.

So, are you hooked on straight stitches! I hope so. Might want to pick up a bag of sequins and beads which are currently on sale in the shop HERE.

We’ll still continue with our Foundation Stitch next month. Stay tuned for a new technique!

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We’ve been talking about straight stitches in our seam treatment series, and today, we’re going to show you how to utilize this stitching with silk ribbon.

If you are a crazy quilter you will be familiar with the term foundation stitches. These are the stitches we use as the base to create all our seam treatments. I have been featuring one of my favourite foundation seam treatments each month. Last month I talked about straight stitches and I wanted to give you another example of seam treatments created with straight stitches. Stitching with ribbon using the same technique illustrates just how versatile this technique is!

Threads do make a difference!

I always like to switch the size and type of threads in each of the seam treatments I stitch. For example, if I had stitched one seam treatment using size 8 Perle cotton I might like to stitch another with a flat ribbon such as the one shown above. I’ll explain further.

Straight Stitches Using Silk Ribbon

I started with tracing V’s centred on the seam allowing me space for embellishing above and below the actual seam. The V’s were stitched with Kreinik 1/16” metallic ribbon. Since I had already used a metallic, I wanted a thread with a very little sheen so opted for solid colour silk for the pistil stitches. You could also use a size 8 Perle for these. At the top, I added cheater roses using silk ribbon and at the bottom rosebuds again using silk ribbon.

Silk ribbon is very popular in crazy quilting and provides all sorts of opportunities for embellishing. I’ll be sharing much more about silk ribbons in future blog posts in the series.

Mary at NeedleNThread provides an excellent pistil stitch tutorial if you are new to this stitch. Personally, I find it quite versatile and enjoy using it in various seams.

I have various mixed silk ribbon bags available for purchase in the shop ON SALE. Ideal for your needlework projects or perhaps as gifts.

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Today we’re continuing our foundation seam treatment series, discussing how straight stitches can be used for embellishing your crazy quilts. I hope you will see the endless possibilities when using straight stitches – you can do a lot!

As I did previously with the herringbone stitch, I will be sharing different examples of seam treatments using straight stitches.

I want to start with simple straight stitches designed to create a pattern. The seam treatment above started by tracing V shapes with a template designed by Sharon Boggon. She demonstrates these on her Pintangle website. They are excellent and worth adding to your supply stash. I use them a lot.

More details on how to use straight stitches for Embellishing

The background V stitches are wider V’s stitched with size 8 Perle cotton. I followed this by tracing another row of V’s but narrower and again stitching with another colour combination in a size 8 Perle cotton. They are simple straight stitches but adding two rows in varying widths creates a more interesting seam treatment. As mentioned, beause of the simplicity of this stitch you can create some embellishment in your project. Flower sequins were added for embellishment at the top sewn in place with a bead.

Remember, these are straight stitches simply stitched to create a pattern. Anyone can stitch a straight stitch!

If you are new to my seam treatment series and want to learn more, check out categories – crazy quilting – seam treatments.

Next month I’ll be featuring another example of utilizing straight stitches in our foundation seam treatment series.

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I wanted to demonstrate how very versatile this stitch can be in creating a beautiful and unique herringbone stitch pattern. Two of the stitching techniques were shared over the last couple of months. Our third example illustrates how we can create a fun stitch pattern using the herringbone stitch technique.

I started with a very basic herringbone and then offered a second sample with embellishing. Both of these we’ve covered in previous posts in May and June. The difference in this sample is that the seam treatment above uses two rows versus one of the herringbone stitches.

How we created this herringbone stitch pattern

The base fabric at the top is a green polyester crinkled fabric while the bottom is grey cotton sprinkled with metallic. The first herringbone row is stitched with a cream coloured Perle cotton while the second is a taupe coloured Perle cotton (hint – if you are stitching two rows in your seam treatments, always ensure the thread colours contrast with one another).

Once the foundation rows were completed, I added straight stitches to the top and bottom with a very fine metallic thread. This is a machine thread I picked up when I was doing free motion quilting in the past. It is made by Madeira and it’s called FS Metallic. I use it a lot in my crazy quilting so you might like to pick some up. To complete the treatment I added French knots along the seam line using a leftover scrap of variegated Perle cotton.

I hope I’ve managed to demonstrate with our three versions of herringbone stitch how embellishing can really enhance your seam treatments. They are not as complex as they may appear so experiment and see what you come up with.

Mary at Needle ‘N Thread offers a great video for herringbone stitch.

If you are new to my seam treatment series and want to learn more, check out categories – crazy quilting – seam treatments.

Next month I’ll be featuring another stitch in our foundation seam treatment series.

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Today, we’re featuring embellished stitching as a variation of the basic herringbone stitch that we had written about last month

The herringbone pattern offers many opportunities for embellished stitching.

The base fabric for this stitch is polyester in a lavender shade. The bottom is pale peach silk.

Once again I always start my seam treatments by tracing the stitch. I opted to use Kathy Shaw’s templates offered in her Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilts book. Make sure you add this book to your personal needlework library!

How Did We Incorporated Embellished Stitching With This Herringbone Seam Treatment

The herringbone foundation was stitched using several strands of silk floss. Once the foundation was completed two straight stitches were added to the top creating a V using Kreinik size 8 braid – any metallic will work. An oval pearl bead was added between the V and sequin flowers were added to fill in the space attached with a bead. Three beads were added to the bottom.

So, while this seam treatment may appear complex it was really quite simple. I hope this inspires you to experiment with your seam treatments.

Mary at Needle ‘N Thread offers a great video for herringbone stitch.

If you are new to my seam treatment series and want to learn more, check out categories – crazy quilting – seam treatments. While I developed this series for crazy quilting, remember the stitches would be modified for use in wool applique. Don’t forget to experiment!

Next month I’ll be featuring an even more embellished version of the herringbone stitch.

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This month I am sharing another of my favourite stitches, the herringbone stitch. This is the first stitch I learned when I started crazy quilting and still by far my favourite!

If you are new to my seam treatment series and want to learn more, check out categories – crazy quilting – seam treatments. While I developed this series for crazy quilting, remember the stitches would be great for use in wool applique. Don’t forget to experiment!

The herringbone stitch is another very versatile stitch allowing many opportunities for embellishing. Over the coming months I will be sharing three different examples but today I’d like to start with a basic herringbone.  Make sure you follow the next several posts in the series so you can see how much more you can do with this stitch.

Personally, I always like to start with a template for this stitch so trace a seam using one of Kathy Shaw’s templates offered in her Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilts book. Don’t forget, this is a great resource if you don’t already have it in your personal library! There are more templates available so decide on what works for you best.

How To Stitch This Herringbone Seam Treatment

I stitched my herringbone stitch using several strands of silk floss in variations of golden yellow. After all, yellow is our feature colour this month! I don’t often use silk floss but wanted to experiment. Having completed this seam treatment, I would choose likely a perle cotton or silk perle next time because I think it would stand out a bit more. Having said this, it isn’t necessary for ALL your seam treatments to be “center stage” so to speak. French knots were added in another silk product I had. I should mention at this point that leftover bits can be easily used for crazy quilting so don’t throw those bits away!

If like me you prefer a video, Mary has completed one for the herringbone stitch, check out Needle ‘N Thread

Today’s herringbone stitch sample is very minimal with little embellishing. Stay tuned next month for a sample showing how much you can do with this great stitch.

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Last month I mentioned that I really love the Chevron stitch so I decided to share the second chevron stitch variation in our seam treatment series.

Start by tracing the seam using one of Kathy Shaw’s templates offered in her Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilts book.  Don’t forget, this is a great resource if you don’t already have it in your personal library!

Once I completed tracing, I stitch my foundation Chevron stitch with a silk perle in a solid green colour.  I added a combination of detached chain stitches and further straight stitches in Colour #70.  This is a gorgeous colour combination of colours featured in sherbet – pale aqua, mint green, coral and yellow.  I added beads to complete the embellishing. 

Don’t forget you can add beads, sequins, French knots, charms – whatever suits the look you would like to achieve. 

What you need to create a Chevron stitch variation for this seam treatment

• Template from Kathy Shaw’s Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilting
• Chevron stitch = solid green silk perle
• Straight stitches = Colour #70, size 8 Perle cotton
• Sequins, beads, charms of your choice

Mary has completed a great video for the Chevon stitch, check out Needle ‘N Thread

To learn more about my seam treatment series, check out categories – crazy quilting – seam treatments.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Chevron Stitch. Remember, you can use what YOU have in your stash OR you can pick up these colours to ADD to your stash!

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I would like to introduce the Chevron stitch, which is the stitch I’m featuring today in my seam treatment series. I must admit that when I first started stitching, I had a lot of problems with the Chevron, not sure why but I did. However, I have grown to really love this stitch as it offers a lot of opportunities for embellishing. So, I started by tracing this seam using one of Kathy Shaw’s templates offered in her Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilts book. This is a great resource if you don’t already have it in your personal library!

Once my tracing was complete, I stitched the Chevron stitch in a size 8 Perle cotton with Colour #36. I added Very Velvet Petite in a yellow scrap at the tops of the “V’s”. I then added three straight stitches using Colour #175 and a couple of additional straight stitches with a fine metallic machine thread.

As I mentioned above, the Chevron stitch offers lots of opportunities for embellishing. I’ve added some sequin flowers with a bead in the centre. 

I could easily have added additional either French knots or beads on the remaining straight stitches but have opted to leave these. Finally, I added some butterfly charms.

Here is a summary of what you need to create this Chevron stitch

• Template from Kathy Shaw’s Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilting
• Chevron stitch = Colour #36, size 8 Perle cotton
• Straight stitches = Colour #175, size 8 Perle cotton
• Sequins, beads, charms of your choice

Mary has completed a great video for the Chevon stitch, check out Needle N Thread.

To learn more about my seam treatment series, check out categories – crazy quilting – seam treatments.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Chevron Stitch. Remember, you can use what YOU have in your stash OR you can pick up these colours to ADD to your stash!

The post Chevron Stitch appeared first on Colour Complements.

In my last post, I discussed the versatile blanket stitch so today I am featuring another variation of this stitch.  If you want to find out more about my seam treatments check under categories in the right sidebar of my blog.

You can also read more about this series in my introductory blog post.   

As I discussed previously, all seam treatments begin with a foundation stitch. I began this seam with a variation of a blanket stitch, also referred to as a buttonhole stitch. The blanket stitch is versatile as there are a variety of different ways of stitching it!  

Many of you will be familiar with a blanket stitch as it is often used to reinforce the raw edges of blankets. I opted to use a size 8 Perle cotton, Colour #72 which is a blend of variations of coral pink. 

I chose this particular colour as it is more subtle allowing additional stitching to stand out more.  Let me show you…. 

Here’s How I Achieved this Seam Treatment Using The Versatile Blanket Stitch

I know my stitching is not “perfect”!  Despite my best efforts I frequently find my spacing can be a bit off which you can see in the image above.

This isn’t ideal… So, once I completed the foundation (and versatile!) blanket stitch, I added straight stitches in varying lengths with a yellow silk lame braid to create the appearance of flowers.  I chose this colour because it repeated the yellow in the fabric to the left of the seam and the yellow cross-hatching in the embroidered fabric below.  Once the metallic was in place I added a sequin flower and bead in the centre. Finally, buttons were added between the “flowers” stitched in place with a small scrap of petite very velvet. 

You will note that I only used three buttons leaving a space on the left of the seam where the perle cotton shows.  I’ll be sharing why I did this in a future post.  AND, there will be more added to surrounding areas so the entire block will come together!

What do you need to stitch this seam treatment?

• Book – Kathy Shaw’s Stunning Stitches for Crazy Quilts page 69 seam 38.  
• Colour #72, size 8 Perle cotton for the blanket stitch foundation
• Straight stitches – Rainbow Gallery Silk Lame Petite Braid OR metallic of choice
• Flower cup sequins – various online shops
• Buttons – Buttons Galore and More OR your stash

If you are not familiar with the blanket stitch check out Needle ‘N Thread video

I hope you give this variation of the blanket stitch a try.  Remember, you can use what YOU have in your stash. 

What’s my next seam treatment?  Stay tuned! 

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I’d like to start my foundation stitch series featuring the blanket stitch.  There are a number of variations of this stitch that I will be sharing in future posts but today we are starting with a very basic blanket stitch.  This stitch is also known as a buttonhole stitch.

Let’s talk a bit about how I stitched this seam treatment

How To Stitch This Blanket Stitch Seam Treatment

Since I am featuring “blues” this month, I started this foundation stitch using a size 8 Perle cotton in Colour #175 which is a blend of light blues.

I then accented with French knots in a size 8 perle cotton in Colour #74 which contrasts nicely as it is a blend of blues and orange. This was followed with the addition of a brad between the French knots, again for contrast.

I opted on this occasion not to use beads as there is a metallic trim at the base of this seam so I felt there was enough “bling”!

In between the “spokes” I have used hand-dyed silk ribbon and created ribbon roses. These are also sometimes referred to as cheater roses. Simply Google this term and you should manage to find some tutorials on how to create these. No two ever turn out the same! The centers of the roses are accented with a French knot using Colour #175.

What do you need to stitch this seam treatment?

• A diagram for the blanket stitch is included in the photo
• Blanket stitch – Colour #175, size 8 Perle cotton
• French Knots – Colour #74, size 8 Perle cotton
• Brads, 7 mm silk ribbon – both are available for purchase through online shops

If you would like to see a video of the blanket stitch, check out Needle ‘N Thread

I hope you give the blanket stitch a try. Remember, you can use what YOU have in your stash! Stay tuned for my next seam treatment.  

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