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A TECHNIQUE DRIVEN Blog dedicated to mastery of surface design techniques. First we dye, overdye, paint, stitch, resist, tie, fold, silk screen, stamp, thermofax, batik, bejewel, stretch, shrink, sprinkle, Smooch, fuse, slice, dice, AND then we set it on fire using a variety of heat tools.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Blanket/Buttonhole Stitch

In my "neck of the woods," this stitch is called a buttonhole stitch, but elsewhere I have heard it called a blanket stitch. Whatever you call it, this stitch can be used to make a lot of designs. I'll be calling it a buttonhole stitch (just because that is what I'm used to). I often use it to outline fusible appliqué pieces. In this picture, I've used it to attach a nut to my piece.
The buttonhole stitch is in the looped stitch family. Looped stitches are made by looping the thread over or under the needle. In the case of the buttonhole stitch, bring the needle up and hold the thread closest to the needle with your (non-dominant) thumb. Take a stitch (perpendicular to the thread) bringing the needle up close to the thread your thumb is anchoring. Continue on in this manner.

There are many variations of this stitch at Blanket Stitch the Variations. (Sarah has given me permission to link to her blog.)

Embellishments on quilts can be simple or extreme. Over the last week, you have gotten an introduction to some very simple embellishing techniques; there is just SO much more. My hope is that this month you will try some embellishing using beading and embroidery. Go as simple or extreme as you would like. Leave a comment and let us know what you are doing. We'd love to see some of your work. 

My last giveaway is made possible by Nancy Eha, AKA The Beading Queen. She is donating a copy of her book Bead Creative Art Quilts.  She teaches and writes books on new fabric beading techniques she has developed where bead configurations are primary focal points. In fact she decides what beading techniques she will use and then constructs the fabric back drop. You can learn more about her and her beading, and look inside the book at her website BeadCreative.com. 
THANK YOU NANCY! To be eligible to win this book, you need to leave a comment on this post. (Of course, I would LOVE for you to become a Fire blog follower. All you need to do is click on "Join this site" under "Followers" on the right-hand side of this page.) I'll draw the winner on January 29. Good luck.

Nancy's YouTube video will debut on this site tomorrow. You won't want to miss it! 
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22 comments:

  1. WilJanuary 7, 2013 at 3:29 AM

    Great posts on beading!

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  2. LauraJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:00 AM

    I love the look of beads but haven't known where or how to start. Thanks for posting these instructions!

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  3. GillJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    Ah - blanket stitch! One of my favourites, it's so versatile!

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  4. DebJanuary 7, 2013 at 7:01 AM

    I haven't used a buttonhole stitch in my hand embroidery before and will definitely give this a try right away!

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  5. ElsJanuary 7, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    O yes the buttonhole stitch is one of my favourites ! You can do a LOT with it. I use it when I stitch on felt too, together with beads ! Thanks for your lovely posts ;-)

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  6. KathyJanuary 7, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    I'm doing more hand-stitching again and it's great to be reminded of the most useful basics. Thanks.

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  7. Bonnie58January 7, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    Thanks for the great tutorials on the hand stitches. these are great refreshers

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  8. elleJanuary 7, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    These tutorials have been great. I think my time to sip coffee and stare out the window is seriously in jeopardy! lol

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  9. Jeanne AirdJanuary 7, 2013 at 8:57 AM

    I really enjoy reading and looking at all your posts. They are filled with inspiration and great techniques. I even have a link to your site from my site. http://jeanneairdartfabricandquilts.blogspot.com/
    I'd love to be the winner of Nancy's book.

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  10. KAMJanuary 7, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    Nancy's book(s) have been on my "I want this" for a few years now. Reading through your buttonhole stitch tutorial today I am reminded of an exploration I did ever so many years ago with this stitch...wonder if I still have that sampler tucked away in a journal somewhere. Maybe it is time to make a new sampler of experiments. Thanks for this wonderful series of tutorials.

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  11. bohemiannie! artJanuary 7, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    I'd love a chance to win Nancy's book. And...you're definitely making me think LoTs more about doing more embroidery!

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  12. landscapeladyJanuary 7, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Winter here in Vermont is the time to sit curled up on the couch under a quilt and do some hand beading / embroidery. I haven't done much beading but would love to learn.

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  13. Jo VandermeyJanuary 7, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    I look forward to taking the time to do more hand work this winter. Thanks again for the great post!

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  14. hueiseiJanuary 7, 2013 at 7:03 PM

    I would love to win this book. I am a happy follower. Happy 2013!

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  15. Sue AndrusJanuary 7, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    Wow! Some amazing giveaways!! I'd Love a chance at Nancy's book! I look forward to posts from your blog in my email... So much to learn...

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  16. Nina MarieJanuary 7, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    you know sooner or later I'm going to win one of these great give aways - all these books look so interesting!

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    Beth, thanks for showing us new ways to use those basic embroidery stitches we learned MANY years ago! I love my machine but there is something in creating handwork...and all of those colors and types of embellishments and threads to choose from!
    Ann

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  18. Beth MJanuary 8, 2013 at 11:32 PM

    I'd love a chance to win Nancy's book. I've enjoyed your posts about the dfferent stitches.

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  19. Nancy BJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    Keep the blogs coming

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  20. elsJanuary 15, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    I love using embroidery stitches in my quilts and your tutorials are a great way to keep me motivated and do even more embroidery. Would love to win the book.

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  21. Tien ChiuJanuary 17, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    I'd love a chance to win this book. I'm mostly a handweaver, but think beads would be an excellent way to embellish my handwoven fabrics!

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  22. AmandaJanuary 17, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    I've only just found this blog through Networked blogs and it's great!! Keep up the good work.

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