Embroidery Stitches

1. Back stitch- the most often used to outline a design. This stitch also forms
the base line for other embroidery stitches

2. Bullion stitch- a single detached stitch that is used for filling in a design
area. Rows of bullion stitches may also be used to outline a design. It is
recommended that one uses a needle with a small eye for ease in pulling

3. Chain stitch- one of the more popular stitches used for outlining. When
worked in close rows, chain stitches make good stitches for filling the design
area.

4. Cross-stitch- stitched formed by two crossing arms and may be used for
outlining, as borders or to fill in an entire area.

5. Feather stitch- a stitch with a loop and stitches evenly worked on both left
and right sides of a design area.

6. Fish Bone- a kind of filling stitch which is ideal for making leaves or
feathers. It requires us to divide the pattern into two and each side is filled
alternately giving it a plaited effect in the centre, thus ideal to make leaves or
feathers.

7. French knot- a single detached stitched used primarily to fill in a design

area. It is a popular stitch among embroiderers in that it can be used to create
the eyes on an embroidered face or the center of a flower.

8. Herringbone stitch- a basic overlapping stitch popular for its use in borders.

9. Lazy daisy chain stitch- also called detached chain stitch, this stitch is work
in a circle to resemble the petals of a flower.

10. Looped stitch- a very decorative stitch and can be experimented with
threads for various colors over borders. Close layers of this stitch can create
wonderful effects on a pattern.

11. Running stitch- considered being the easiest stitch for outlining.

12. Satin stitch- a solid filling stitch that is used to cover a design area with
long, straight stitches worked very close together

13. Split- done using quite thick threads, such as wool. It was used as an
outlining stitch or as a filling stitch.

14. Seed- also known as rice grain stitch. Stitch uses simple straight stitches in a
single direction to fill in patterns. It has shorter stitches above the fabric and
longer stitches on the reverse side. They remind of strawberry seeds, probably,
which inspired its name.

15. Stem Stitch- basically an outline stitch, this stitch is usually used for flower
stems, and outlines. It can only be used as filling, rows of Stem stitch worked
closely together within a shape until it is filled completely.
 Principles of Design

1. Harmony - Harmony is the Law of Unity with variety. This principle infers repetition of line, form, shape and
size.
2. Proportion - Pertains to the relationship in size between a part and the whole.
3. Balance -May be produced in two ways, either formal or informal. Formal balance or symmetry has equal color,
shape, and size on either side of a design. While the informal occult has unequal proportion.
4. Rhythm - It is a smooth related movement. Pattern and line carry the eyes along without jerky motion. The eye
automatically connects points in space.
5. Emphasis - The eye is carried first to the most important part of the design and then to the other details in order
of their importance. This referred to as the center of interest of a design.
Elements of design
1. Line -Skeleton or basic foundation sketch to direct the eye vertically or horizontally.
2. Texture - Refers to the surface appearance which is either rough or smooth, dull or glossy, thick or thin
3. Color- Color may be cool, warm, bright or dull. Choosing the right color will greatly affect the appearance of
your finished project.
Below is a color wheel consisting of twelve colors which will give you an idea to make successful choice of color.

There are also definitions (or categories) of colors based on the

color wheel. We begin with a 3-part color wheel

Primary Colors:
Red, yellow and blue. In traditional color theory (used in paint and pigments), primary colors are the 3 pigment
colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3
hues.
Secondary Colors:
Green, orange and purple. These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green. These are the
colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two word name, such as blue-
green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.

Color Scheme

A. Related Colors
2. Analogous Harmony - Three
1. Monochromatic Harmony - neighboring colors, one of which is
One color of different shade dominant.

B. Contrasting Color

1. Complementary - 2. Double Complementary -

Colors opposite each other Two neighboring colors and their
in the color wheel opposite colors
 4. Triad -The color in between
3. Split Complementary - Three three spaces in color wheel
colors diagonal with each other
TRANSFERRING DESIGNS
The embroidery design you choose reflects who you are or the
purpose for which your project is being done. For a more individual touch, you may create. If this is not possible
you may copy a design from commercially available books on embroidery. Whichever make sure that the design
you choose will not only suit your purpose but will also enhance the beauty of your fabric.
There are several ways of transferring designs on fabric. Among these are ironing, tracing, and stamping.
Hot-iron Transfer
Some designs sold in craft stores are printed on thin transfer sheets. These are called hot-iron transfers, the easiest
among the three methods. To use a hot-iron transfer, first remove excess paper around the design, place the design
on the fabric, then pin at the corners. Make sure your flatiron is at low setting before pressing it over an area of the
design for a few seconds. Lift the iron then move it to another area of the design. Remember not to glide the iron
over the design as this can ruin the design.

Tracing Method
Designs may also be transferred using a tracing wheel and preferably dressmaker’s carbon paper. However, when
no carbon paper of this type is available, ordinary carbon paper may be used. Utmost care should be taken though in
using the latter type as it can smear badly on the fabric. Remember to use light-colored carbon paper if your fabric is
of a light color.
The steps in this method are as follows:
1. Place your design right side up on your fabric then pin at the corners. Slowly insert the carbon paper or
dressmaker’s carbon, carbon side down, between the design and fabric.
2. Using a tracing wheel, go over the lines of the design.
3. You may also use a pencil or any sharp or pointed instrument to trace the design.

Stamping
In transferring designs by stamping, you will need soft absorbent cloth, indigo, kerosene or petroleum, sheets of
newspaper, your perforated design, and the fabric on which you want to stamp your design. A perforated pattern of
your design is made by pricking holes along the lines of the design.
The steps in this method are as follows:

1. Form the soft absorbent cloth into ball

2. Mix 1 part indigo and 1 ½ parts kerosene or petroleum to make a smooth thin paste. This will be your blueing
mixture
3. Spread sheet of newspaper on a flat surface. Lay the fabric on the newspapers. Be sure the warp and woof threads
of the fabric are aligned.
4. Lay the perforated pattern smooth side up on the part of the fabric where the design is to be placed. Pin the corners
of the design.
5. Dip the ball of cloth in blueing mixture. Rub the ball of cloth over the design in one stroke or direction only.
6. To check if the design had been correctly transferred, lift one corner of the pattern carefully
7. When the design has been fully transferred, remove the perforated pattern. Using a small amount of kerosene,
clear the design of unwanted imprints. Air dry your finished work.

Good Working Habits

To ensure cleanliness and maintain the good quality of your work, always bear in mind the following good working
habits.
1. Have clean sewing box with complete sewing tools.
2. Wash your hand before working.
3. Assemble all needed materials.
4. Clip or tie your hair while working so you can see your work clearly.
5. Use the appropriate needle for the right kind of cloth. (See “Fabric, Needle and Thread, Combination” on next
page)
6. Put your scraps of cloth and thread in a plastic bag.
7. Use embroidery scissors in cutting thread, not your teeth.
8. An elbow length of thread is appropriate to use for easier sewing.
9. Work with your hands and not with your lips.
10. Follow the step-by-step procedure.
11. Fold correctly and keep your fabric in plastic after working each day.
12. Clean your working area before living the room.

Recycling Basics
Recycling which is the process of transforming an item which has already served its original purpose but is still
durable into something that can still be used for another purpose is one good answer to the worsening problem of
garbage disposal. Instead of throwing away the scraps we have at home and waste them totally, we can be more
imaginative, creative and resourceful person by seeing potential in waste materials. There is truth in saying that
“There is cash in trash” All we need is a little entrepreneurship skill and a lot of concern for environment.

Types of Recycling

1. Internal recycling
 Involves the use of materials that are waste products of a manufacturing process. An example of this is the
processing of spent grain mash, a waste product of distillation, into cattle feeds

2. External recycling
 Is the reclaiming of materials from a product that has been worn out due to constant use. A good example of this
type is the conversion of old news papers and magazines into other paper product.

Advantages of Recycling
1. Decrease pollution and ease the garbage pollution
2. Conserve resources
3. Enhance creativity and resourcefulness
4. Potential in making a profitable business
5. Makes people environmentally aware
6. Promotes scientific advancements in recyclable and biodegradable materials
7. Makes governments and businesses choose programs and apply policies in consideration of preserving and
respecting the environment.

Common Materials Used in Recycling

. Material Articles
Paper woven basket, paper mache’ articles, paper beads, paper sculpture,
1. Paper boxes for gift wrapping, album covers and paper bags

Planters, plant tags, plastic sculptures and organizers

2. Plastic containers

Decanter, storage items terrariums, cut bottles, bent bottles and glass tiles.
3. Glass bottles

Quilting and patchwork projects, rag rugs, doilies, runners of hand stitched
4. Fabric scrap circles of fabrics, stuffed toys, hair accessories, fabric flowers and
collages.
Rugs, tapestries, embroidery, yarn dolls, crocheted or knitted articles, and
5. Yarn wastes string art.

Canisters, storage bins, planters, baking tins, candle holders, kerosene

6. Tin cans lamps, metal art and water catchers.