Chapter 3 Tonal effects in machine stitchery

This chapter is divided into four sections and highlights stitched patterns related to animal markings of slugs or snails for inspiration:

1. Tonal machine stitching using ordinary stitchery (Samples 1 to 10)
2. Whip stitch effect (Samples Whip 1 to Whip 3)
3. Cable stitch effect (Samples Cable 1 to Cable 3)
4. Making machine stitched strips                                                        (Samples a to d on white cotton)                                                        (Samples e, f and h on black cotton)                                                          Wider stitched lengths that can be cut up (Samples g and i)         Selected commercial patterned fabrics                                                   

Tonal machine stitching using ordinary stitchery (Samples 1 to 10)
Each sample is 10cm by 10 cm (showing the top of the fabric)

I feel samples 4,5,6,7 and 10 are particularly effective in showing tonal variations 
(In my sketchbook is a spreadsheet showing techniques used for each sample)


Whip stitch effect (Samples Whip 1 to Whip 3)
Each sample is 10cm by 10cm
These show the top of the worked samples.  However I have also included the reverse of sample Whip 2 for its tonal effect
All were worked with white thread on top and black thread in the bottom spool

I feel sample Whip 2 is particularly effective in showing tonal variations both top and reverse of the fabric.
(In my sketchbook is a spreadsheet showing techniques used for each sample)


Cable stitch effect (Samples Cable 1 to Cable 3)
Each sample is 10cm by 10cm
These show the back of the worked samples.  All were worked with white thread on top and black thread in the bottom spool.Using the Janome machine using top tension of 9 and not altering the spool tension.

I feel sample Cable 3 is particularly effective in showing tonal variation
(In my sketchbook is a spreadsheet showing techniques used for each sample)

Making machine stitched strips                                                                  Samples a to g are 4cm by 30cm. Samples h and i are wider. 
Only 1 to 3 rows are shown on each sample except h and i.  It is planned to produce more rows for each width in later work.  In the meantime it is interesting to see some tonal differences along the length of the strips.  Further tonal variation would be achieved with additional rows.
(In my sketchbook is a spreadsheet showing techniques used for each sample) 

Making machine stitched strips (Samples d to a on white cotton)
These show the top of each worked sample followed by reverse. 
All were worked with black thread on the top and white thread in the bottom spool.

I feel it was particularly interesting how altering the top tension in Sample b brought up the white thread


Making machine stitched strips (Samples e, f and h on black cotton)
These show firstly, the top of the worked samples followed by reverse. 
All were worked with black thread on the top and white thread in the bottom spool. 
Samples e and f used the whip stitch effect, sample h cable stitch effect

I feel Sample e and f are particularly effective inspired by the ridges on the body of a slug, including the reverse of Sample f.

Making machine stitched strips (Samples g and i)
Samples g and i are 8cm and 14cm wide respectively by approximately 30cm.
These larger samples can be cut up for use later.

Sample g on calico is shown above with Samples e,f and h.
It was worked with black thread on the top and white thread in the bottom spool. 
It has produced an interesting pattern with overlapped rows but not as much tonal variation as Sample i below.

The above sample shows the first layer of stitch.

Rows were stitched across to form a second layer.
In order to add differing threads the fabric was turned over in order to add cable stitch effect for the third layer and to allow for variation in thickness and type of thread.
The following shows the reverse of the worked sample.

Both sides show different tonal variations.

Selected commercial patterned fabrics                                                   
They are all 4cm by 30cm.
Finally I selected some interesting fabrics for possible use later, to use as they are or stitched over. 
The reverse side of two samples could be used as well as main side (see third and fifth below).
 

It was fascinating discovering the versatility of the sewing machine.
Which foot to use, whether the foot is up or down, whether a hoop is used or not.  Altering the upper tension to 9(I'm afraid I didn't alter the lower - I'd mislaid my spare spool case), worked for cable stitch samples.  
I look forward to experimenting further as I progress through the module.