The fourth band on this band sampler is a row of diamond stitches in pulled thread work.
The open work is not cut like the top row, but the threads are just distorted in a regular pattern that leaves open spaces in the weave. It's a technique closely related to hemstitching, but not used on the edge of the linen to create a decorative edging, but in the body of the work.
Pulled thread work needs to be done with a sturdy thread. You don't really 'yank' on the thread, but you do need to pull firmly to open up the lacy part. And because you go over some steps of the stitch diagram multiple times, it really uses quite a bit of thread, so you start with a fairly long length to get all the way across each 'pass' (top and bottom). I really like to use linen thread; "Londonderry Linen" from Access Commodities is my favorite, because it is exceptionally nicely spun. I would not recommend a single ply thread, which will possibly shred from all the friction. The thread in the kit is #12 Perle Cotton, which works well enough.
As you can see above, the stitch is worked in two passes, creating the top and bottom angle of the diamond pattern. The stitch diagram is more like a rectangle, but tugging on the threads to open up the pattern narrows the top and bottom into the diamond shape. This technique is traditional in whitework embroidery where many rows stacked on top of each other can also make an interesting filling stitch. Or it can be used above hemstitching to make a wider, more decorative edge.
For a little bit of 'bling', beading is done in the center of each diamond after the pulled thread work is done.
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| A little bit of Band 5 is sneaking into the picture. I forgot to take a picture before I started it. |
The open work is not cut like the top row, but the threads are just distorted in a regular pattern that leaves open spaces in the weave. It's a technique closely related to hemstitching, but not used on the edge of the linen to create a decorative edging, but in the body of the work.
 |
| Hard to get my phone's camera to focus where I want it to, but you can see the deliberate distortion of the ground threads. |
Pulled thread work needs to be done with a sturdy thread. You don't really 'yank' on the thread, but you do need to pull firmly to open up the lacy part. And because you go over some steps of the stitch diagram multiple times, it really uses quite a bit of thread, so you start with a fairly long length to get all the way across each 'pass' (top and bottom). I really like to use linen thread; "Londonderry Linen" from Access Commodities is my favorite, because it is exceptionally nicely spun. I would not recommend a single ply thread, which will possibly shred from all the friction. The thread in the kit is #12 Perle Cotton, which works well enough.
As you can see above, the stitch is worked in two passes, creating the top and bottom angle of the diamond pattern. The stitch diagram is more like a rectangle, but tugging on the threads to open up the pattern narrows the top and bottom into the diamond shape. This technique is traditional in whitework embroidery where many rows stacked on top of each other can also make an interesting filling stitch. Or it can be used above hemstitching to make a wider, more decorative edge.
For a little bit of 'bling', beading is done in the center of each diamond after the pulled thread work is done.
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