a stitch journal
I wrote this whole post out this morning and as I typed the last word my computer crashed and, of course, I hadn’t been saving as I went along so here is my second try. You might want a cup of tea for this one.
Last week I shared a little of my stitch journal on Instagram. It generated an awful lot of interest and questions so I decided to write a post about what I’m doing and more importantly share the accounts of the stitchers who inspired me and some resources and supplies. At the bottom of the post I will put links to all the stitchers, supplies and books.
I have wanted to start a stitch journal ever since I bought Claire Wellesley-Smith’s book ‘Slow Stitch’ but I have a tendency towards procrastination and so, while I did try other projects I just never got started on a stitch journal. Then the other day I came across Karen Turner’s instagram (@k.j.turner) and saw the most beautiful stitch journal progress pictures, wanting to know more I visited her site and found so much to read and such a lot of beautiful pictures. I bought her template and notes for beginning and began.
Both Karen and Claire practice intuitive or mindful stitching and this is reflected in their journals. Initially I decided mine would reflect my morning swims, taking the colours from the sea and sky and sticking to a simple running stitch. I didn’t want anything too complicated as I had to find the time each day. It started well at the beginning of February with a beautiful bright blue green sea and sunshine but after that the greys set in. I found myself adding a seal that had been swimming around and under us (it’s just his head and I’m not sure you would know it was a seal if I hadn’t told you :D)
You can see there were a few pinkish sunrises but mostly greys. I missed a day swimming and added a few flowers instead then I added flowers on grey swimming days and towards the end of February I decided March would be a different kind of daily stitching.
So this month I have been stitching a flower a day. I am still using Karen’s template but drawing a box inside each box so I can create a frame for each flower (this means there is a space between each day). I am trying out new stitches such as the Basque knot above (which I love) and finding ways to fit them into flowers. I’m enjoying using all the beautiful colours too. Some of the flowers are my own and others are adapted from stitch books so I can learn some new stitches.
I’m stitching all this on a long piece of Robert Kaufman Essex linen (a linen cotton mix). This is really just because it’s what I had when I wanted to start. I think it would be lovely on some organic calico. I’ve cut a length that will hold about four months worth then I will just add another length to it.
The threads I’m using are threads that I have either been gifted or have not been able to resist buying and then kept in my thread box hidden away.
Firstly the thread shown above is Temaricious, a Japanese thread that is non divisible and soft and matte. It looks almost like wool. The purplish flower at the end has been chain stitched using this wool. It was originally bought from Loop London but they don’t seem to stock it now. They have an alternative called ‘Nona’ which seems to be very similar, but I haven’t tried it yet.
The other thread that I have been using is ‘Weeks Dye Works’. It’s a variegated thread and comes in so many beautiful and subtle colours. I love stitching with it. The border of the fluffy flower is stitched with it and you can see the way the colour changes. This one is less subtle but easier for you to see.
You can also see the stitches I have been trying out. A sort of crochet stitch based on button hole stitch for the top flower. This is a stitch that I really enjoyed and I can see lots of possibilities for using it so I will be trying it out more.
Then there’s the turkey knot stitch. This wasn’t my most fun hour of stitching! It’s not really a complicated stitch if you take it step by step but I decided I wanted to trim it. The more I trimmed one area the more I needed to trim another area, it was a bit like cutting a child’s fringe until they end up with a fringe about two inches above their eyebrows. I made myself stop snipping but I’m still not happy with it! But I am enjoying the journey of daily stitching.
Now for the links
If mindful stitching appeals to you then I absolutely recommend her website and blog. She has a template with some beginner notes but I’ve also just noticed there is also a course. Karen sells threads and finished work too.
Claire Wellesley-Smith’s book ‘slow stitch’ is one of my favourite books and her website is also well worth looking at if you are interested in mindful stitching.
Claire Wellesley-Smith website
The books that I have been using for some new stitches or ways of stitching are
zakka embroidery by Yumiko Higuchi Perfect if you love chain stitch or want to improve your chain stitch
stumpwork flowers by Sachiko Morimoto
Unfortunately this one seems to be out of print but you may be able to find it second hand. It focuses on stumpwork (as the title suggests) which is raised embroidery. The crochet type flower and the turkey knot flower are simple examples of this.
Weeks Dye Works threads are available from Lakeside Needlecrafts
And Nona threads are available at Loop London
Finally you can get the organic calico that I normally use from Raystitch