Project 2 - Stage 2

Exploring Marks And Lines Through Stitch Techniques
I have really enjoyed doing this series of mark making using different stitches.  I chose chain stitch first because that is the easiest.  

With differing pink threads, I tried: 

• straight lines in different colours
• detached chain stitch
• zig zag lines
• lines of chain stitch in different yarns and threads
• detached chain stitch in different yarns and threads
• spiral
• lines of chain stitch, close together in differing shades, mixed together where the colours joined
• elongated chains
• lines of chain stitch coming out of a central point
• messy chain stitch

I like the detached chain stitch, the shaded sample and the messy chain stitch the most.  I think they all create a really good texture and the shading worked really well by mixing the two joining colours.

Next I tried running stitch, with green threads:

• lines - close together getting wider apart
• wavy lines
• cross hatched
• box in lines
• running stitch with cross hatch
• zig zag lines
• running stitch in different directions
• random running stitch to create tone
• different threads 
• basket weave type pattern
• spiral pattern
• running stitch with gold thread woven through stitches
• running stitch with messy threads woven through stitches

I like the random running stitch showing tone, I think this could really be used to explore tone in texture.  I like the basket weave and the spiral pattern, but again my favourite is the messy weaving through the running stitch.

Lastly I tried out all the new threads I had bought.  I think this set of examples are the best.  I like all the techniques used here.  I am not very keen on the fabric I have used - I think it is a poly cotton and although it was nice and taut in the hoop, it is now a bit puckered.  I am going to try some cotton poplin next.  I also tried some stem stitch.  I don't usually have a lot of success with this - but I like the way the lines of different colours have worked out - it is like coloured pencil shading.

• rows of chain stitch in different threads
• back stitch with side stitches in variegated thread
• single thread, varying widths apart to show tone
• single thread in various shades
• wavy line, chain stitch, grid
• stem stitch shading
• running stitch spiral
• detached chain stitch, messy
• zig zag back stitch
• zig zag back stitch, metallic thread
• lines of loose chain stitch, worked over each other
• running stitch with messy thread woven through the stitches
• zig zag running stitch
• cross hatching

I didn't like working with the metallic thread at all, although I love the metallic effect.  I think all of these examples have worked well.