Chapter 3 Tonal effects in machine stitchery

This chapter is about creating tonal effects with machine stitchery. I have a much loved [and used] Bernina Nova which has a wonderful solid frame, it offers only straight stitch and zig-zag and their variations along with a few others such as scallop plus buttonhole. It’s amazing what can be achieved, however, with these basics allowing the imagination to take free reign!

I’ve written some added comments alongside the samples . The writing looks unclear but can be seen when the images are clicked onto and enlarged.

First we have looked at ways of creating tonal effects using various stitches and playing with stitch length and width settings on the machine

a. Use of stitch length to grade each row from light to dark.

b.Use of stitch length to show grading from dark to light [left to right]

c. Use of 3-step zig-zag

d. Overlapping of rows of stitching to create tonal density

e. Playing with stitch length and width

f. Playing with stitch length and width whilst changing the position of the sewing machine needle

Working sheet samples a – e

Working sheet samples f-h

g. Blind stitch using a twin needle

h. Scallop stitch experiment

i. Stretch seam stitch, playing with length and width and altering needle position

j. Satin stitch distorting the fabric

k. Straight stich

l. Satin, stretch and zigzag stitches

m. Addition of fabric strips, ribbon and paper.

n. Straight stitch and whip stitch

o. Zig-zag and satin stitch in whip stitch

 

p.Whip stitch with embroidery foot with feed dog down

q. Further experiments with feed dog down

Working sheet samples h-m

Working sheet samples n-r

r. more experiments with whip stitch

s. Cable stitch

t. More cable stitch and working sheet

Next we had to experiment with making strips of machine stitched panels using techniques we’d learnt

a. Bow stitch

b. Bow stitch using whip stitch and invisible thread on on top bobbin

c. Cable stitch with metallic thread in blind stitch

d. Cable stitch worked in bow and straight stitch

e. Satin stitch experiments

f. Satin stitch experiments

g. Satin and zig-zag, blind stitch worked whilst changing needle position; scallop stitch and variations in stitch length. Strips of fabric cut and re-aligned.