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Before writing this part of the website, I researched in various books and other websites. Most things are the same everywhere while others differ from author to author.

From all that I've read, I made my own conclusions and will be writing them here little by little.

Being a visual person, I find it easier to understand instructions by actually seeing them intead of reading.
So, in this section of the website, you'll find both the graphic representation that I use in my designs and step by step illustrations of the subject you're reading about.

I hope this helps all of you.
If you'd like to contribute with written instructions, please do so by emailing me. I'll be more than pleased to add them to this site.
(don't forget to add your name and country so I can credit you for your contribution)

NOTE: Please take notice that not all the stitches are included. I'll be adding them as soon as I get them developed. So, keep looking for more stitches to be added!!

Click the words to go to the stitch or tutorial desired.

SPECIALTY STITCHES:
~ Algerian Eye Stitch ~ Arrow Stitch ~ Banded Cross Stitch ~ Broad Cross Stitch
~ Burr Sticth ~ Burr Star Stitch ~ Chess Board Filling ~ Chinese Fan Stitch
~ Couched Diamond Trellis ~ Couched Trellis ~ Crow's Foot Stitch ~ Daisy Stitch
~ Diagonal Broad Cross Stitch ~ Diagonal Leaf Stitch ~ Diamond Eyelet (variation) ~ Diamond Eyelet
~ Diamond Quad ~ Diamond Ray ~ Double Cross Stitch ~ Double Leviathan
~ Double Straight Cross ~ Double Wedding Ring ~ Eyelet ~ Fan Stitch
~ Fir Stitch ~ Fly Stitch ~ Foliage Stitch ~ Four Sided Stitch
~ Four Sided Oblong Stitch ~ Half Diamond Eyelet ~ Half Drop Rhodes ~ Herringbone Leaf Stitch
~ Herringbone Stitch ~ Horizontal Elongated Smyrna Stitch ~ Irish Stitch ~ Italian Cross
~ Kloster Block ~ Lazy Daisy ~ Montenegrin Stitch ~ Oblong Smyrna Cross
~ Raised Maltese Cross ~ Ray Stitch ~ Rectangular Eyelet ~ Rhodes Heart
~ Rhodes Oval ~ Satin Cushion Stitch ~ Satin Stitch ~ Slanted Star Stitch
~ Smyrna Cross ~ Star Stitch ~ Trellis Cross Stitch ~ Triple Cross Stitch
~ Upright Cross ~ Upright triple Cross ~ Wheat Stitch ~

TUTORIALS:
~ How to start a stitch ~ How to finish a stitch ~ Pendibule ~ Biscornu ~




    Other Interesting Topics

  • How to start a stitch


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  • How to finish a stitch


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  • How to make a pendibule (aka pendibulle)



    		•  1 - Start by stitching the design.
    The design's area should be square and about 60x60 stitches. Sticth a backsticth border all around. Stitch the desired motif in one of the corners.
    		2 - Folding the piece.
    After you are done your stitching, fold the square in half, corner to corner and with right sides out.
    		3 - Finishing the sides.
    Tuck the seam allowances inside and start stitching the sides with a whip stitch, using the backstitches you did for the borders. Use only one strand of floss.
    		4 - Using beads.
    If you decide to use beads in your finishing, insert one bead every time you do a whip stitch and pull tight. They will fall into place immediately :).
    		5 - When to start stuffing???
    Stop stitching the sides together when you only have half of one side to go. This will give you enough room to stuff the piece.
    		6 - Stuffing.
    Start filling your pendibule with little portions of stuffing at a time(I use polyester fiberfill, but you can use other types of stuffing). Make sure the tip has enough filling to keep it nice and straight. If needed, tuck it in place with the help of a pencil. Don't stuff the sides, only the middle.
    		7 - How much to stuff???
    Some people prefer to have their pendibules lightly stuffed. I like to have mine as solid as possible. It's really a trial and error thing. I find having it heavily stuffed makes it easier to do the next step. :)
    A good way to determine how much you should put in, is to try and fold the edges on top until you get the effect you desire.

    After finishing stuffing your pendibule, tuck the remaining seam allowance and stitch the opening in the same way you did before.
    		8 - The edges.
    Fold the edges flat on top and sew them together firmly.
    		9 - Decorations
    Have fun decorating your new piece of art. I use ribbons and cording. They make excellent Christmas ornaments but could be used as potpourri sachets for the closets, key chains, party favors, etc.
    Free your imagination and most important, HAVE FUN!!!!! :)
    		10 - Another angle.
    This angle shows the detail of the beads in the tip of the pendibule.




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  • How to make a biscornu



    • 1 - Choose your fabric and stitch a backstitch border a little bigger than the chosen design.
    Note: some designs already include the backstitching.
    2 - Stitch the design. Make sure it's a square design. Usually biscornu designs are about 50 stitches x 50 stitches in size, but could be bigger or smaller depending on the size of the finished product you desire.
    3 - After the stitching is done, cut the fabric in the middle so that you have 2 pieces of identical size.
    4 - Fold and press the sides along the line made by the backstitching. (I usually do this as I go, one side at a time)
    5 - Do the same for both pieces.
    6 - Align the corner of one of the sides of one piece, with the exact middle of one of the sides of the other piece.
    7 - Whip stitch both sides together using the backstitching previously done.
    8 - Make sure you count the stitches correctly so that when you get to the next corner it will match the exact middle of the other piece.
    9 - When you get to the corner, continue the whip sticthing along the backstitching. At this time the fabric will start folding naturally and making the cute beaks that biscornus have.
    10 - Continue the whip stitching until the last side is left.
    11 - Start filling your biscornu with little portions of stuffing at a time(I use polyester fiberfill, but you can use other types of stuffing). Make sure the tips have enough filling to keep them nice and straight. If needed, tuck the filling in place with the help of a pencil.

    After finishing stuffing your biscornu, tuck the remaining seam allowance and stitch the opening in the same way you did before.
    12 - Insert a needle with thread through the centre of the biscornu and pull as tight as needed to make a little "indentation" on the surface of the biscornu.
    13 - Insert the needle back through the centre to the other side and do the same as for the first side. (you should have a little "indentation" on both sides of the biscornu)
    14 - Using the same thread and needle that you used for the "indentation", attach a button to each side. (beads and charms can also be used)
    15 - The back side of the biscornu also has a button!
    16 - Ta da!!! The finished biscornu!

    Biscornus are very versatile. You can use them as pincushions (their original function), ornaments, sachets, etc. Your imagination is your limit, so keep imagining new uses for this lovely piece of stitchery!!! :)


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