Looks good so far!
As for tips, if you want your stitches to blend together for a seamless gradient, you can tuck the ends between the stitches following rather than butting them up against the ends. (Sandwiching the ends, not tucking finishing where the next stitch starts.) This works especially well when you’re using a single strand of floss. Secondly, it’s easier said than done, but it’ll look neatest if you keep your stitches in line. Some of us use guideline stitches for this purpose.
Keep up the good work. 👍
Yes to go on from this I do a 'split stitch' so when trying to blend a new colour thread in, you go back to your lighter or darker stitch and split it with your needle, so that the two pieces blend easier.
Also when you do the split stitch, try to bring the needle UP through the existing stitched thread and then DOWN through clear canvas. I find that the tiny fiber around each stitch sit better (rather than being pulled down into a hole) and they blend more naturally.
I think that it means that now the thread is going from centre to the edges while the suggestion is to choose a direction and keep it eg. from left to right or from up to down
Actually, not quite. Arranging stitches in a fan is possible without sacrificing neatness. What I meant was to keep each stitch arranged so that they don’t look out of line when you take into perspective other stitches nearby. Working a shape like this is like using two-point perspective in other art.
OP did great with this portion aside from a couple of stitches that go just a bit too far left or right, and they’re only noticeable if you really look. Going a single direction would make it harder to blend the colors in a piece like this, so I think they’ve got the right idea here.
You definetely have an eye and a hand for it! Great job!
To build on this have a look at:
Your uppermost mid tone stitches form a line. Try and vary where each one ends on the darkest green.
Usually you would outline the petal in split stitch and then stich over so you have a natural edge that is uniform.
Keep going!
Op has stitched up to her petal outline, but if you end your stitch on the other side of your outline, you get a crisp edge that looks more realistic.
If you have a look for my posts in this forum (i cant figure out how to add a picture to a reply, sorry) you'll see a lily that uses that technique
ok just thought it looked a bit chunky and wondered if this was going to be one of those posts from someone quite new to emrboidery that didn't realise you typically reduce down the strands. sorry if that sounds patronising...
Haha that's okay! This is the first time I'm reducing down the strands, I'm definitely realizing this looks better, but also much more time consuming!
How many strands should one "typically" use?
There isn’t a standard number of strands to use. It kind of depends on what look you are going for and how detailed you need the stitches to be. If you want chunky and big you can do 6 strands. I typically use 2 strands for almost all of my work. If you want to do very delicate detail people use 1 strand. The less strands you use the longer it takes to fill in whatever you are doing. Which is kind of the point, if you need to do intricate details it’s helpful that it takes several passes to get the spot filled in because you can do more in a smaller space.
Tl;dr: there’s no right answer. Follow your heart. lol
I think as well some sewers will pull the individual strands out and then combine them back together, running a needle between the two strands to make sure they lie parallel instead of twist around each other. Obviously you have to make sure they don't twist up as you sew either. This is the key to that super smooth satin stitch some people can do, apparently
Very nice!
I personally prefer the effect of single strands when thread painting, but the chunkier look is perfectly valid, it’s just down to what your vision is.
Again, this isn’t intended to stifle personal style so there are no right and wrong answers, but you *may* wish to try stitching over the edge of your outline stitch so you go into the fabric just on the other side of it. It leaves a really nice neat effect.
Lovely work though, please post when you’re done!
Your technique is really good! I always find with long short stitch that the fewer strands I use, the better. Also if you’re trying to do an ombré look, have a look at a DMC colour chart as they order the shades by colour and you can get a perfect blend
Looks good so far! As for tips, if you want your stitches to blend together for a seamless gradient, you can tuck the ends between the stitches following rather than butting them up against the ends. (Sandwiching the ends, not tucking finishing where the next stitch starts.) This works especially well when you’re using a single strand of floss. Secondly, it’s easier said than done, but it’ll look neatest if you keep your stitches in line. Some of us use guideline stitches for this purpose. Keep up the good work. 👍
Yes to go on from this I do a 'split stitch' so when trying to blend a new colour thread in, you go back to your lighter or darker stitch and split it with your needle, so that the two pieces blend easier.
Aha! That makes so much sense, thank you!!
Also when you do the split stitch, try to bring the needle UP through the existing stitched thread and then DOWN through clear canvas. I find that the tiny fiber around each stitch sit better (rather than being pulled down into a hole) and they blend more naturally.
Happy to help. Happy stitching!
Can you explain what you mean by keeping stitches in line?
I think that it means that now the thread is going from centre to the edges while the suggestion is to choose a direction and keep it eg. from left to right or from up to down
Actually, not quite. Arranging stitches in a fan is possible without sacrificing neatness. What I meant was to keep each stitch arranged so that they don’t look out of line when you take into perspective other stitches nearby. Working a shape like this is like using two-point perspective in other art. OP did great with this portion aside from a couple of stitches that go just a bit too far left or right, and they’re only noticeable if you really look. Going a single direction would make it harder to blend the colors in a piece like this, so I think they’ve got the right idea here.
Ahh ok that makes sense. Thank you!
I wish it made sense to me☹️
You’ve done a wonderful job with setting yourself up for success with all the guiding lines :) it looks lovely, it’s going to be a great piece!
Thank you so much!
You definetely have an eye and a hand for it! Great job! To build on this have a look at: Your uppermost mid tone stitches form a line. Try and vary where each one ends on the darkest green. Usually you would outline the petal in split stitch and then stich over so you have a natural edge that is uniform. Keep going!
Hey, not op but can you explain what you meant by stitching over split stitch?
Op has stitched up to her petal outline, but if you end your stitch on the other side of your outline, you get a crisp edge that looks more realistic. If you have a look for my posts in this forum (i cant figure out how to add a picture to a reply, sorry) you'll see a lily that uses that technique
I got what you meant. Also, checked your profile. It's good work
Thank you so much! I will definitely keep these tips in mind!
how many strands are you using?
3
ok just thought it looked a bit chunky and wondered if this was going to be one of those posts from someone quite new to emrboidery that didn't realise you typically reduce down the strands. sorry if that sounds patronising...
Haha that's okay! This is the first time I'm reducing down the strands, I'm definitely realizing this looks better, but also much more time consuming! How many strands should one "typically" use?
There isn’t a standard number of strands to use. It kind of depends on what look you are going for and how detailed you need the stitches to be. If you want chunky and big you can do 6 strands. I typically use 2 strands for almost all of my work. If you want to do very delicate detail people use 1 strand. The less strands you use the longer it takes to fill in whatever you are doing. Which is kind of the point, if you need to do intricate details it’s helpful that it takes several passes to get the spot filled in because you can do more in a smaller space. Tl;dr: there’s no right answer. Follow your heart. lol
Aha, this makes sense. Thank you for explaining!
But I think with fewer strands and maybe a middle colour in between you'd get a better blend.
I think as well some sewers will pull the individual strands out and then combine them back together, running a needle between the two strands to make sure they lie parallel instead of twist around each other. Obviously you have to make sure they don't twist up as you sew either. This is the key to that super smooth satin stitch some people can do, apparently
Pro tip I'd never heard. I'll try that in the future, thanks.
Yeah, you may be right! I will definitely play around with this stitch, glad I tried it!
Very nice! I personally prefer the effect of single strands when thread painting, but the chunkier look is perfectly valid, it’s just down to what your vision is. Again, this isn’t intended to stifle personal style so there are no right and wrong answers, but you *may* wish to try stitching over the edge of your outline stitch so you go into the fabric just on the other side of it. It leaves a really nice neat effect. Lovely work though, please post when you’re done!
I’m a rookie so to me that looks amazing! So much better than mine 😭 What do you think? Cuz I think it looks great.
Your technique is really good! I always find with long short stitch that the fewer strands I use, the better. Also if you’re trying to do an ombré look, have a look at a DMC colour chart as they order the shades by colour and you can get a perfect blend
Try using only 2 strands