No, I won’t be talking about what’s behind door number three
today or offering you a quick $50 to give up the contents of that box you just selected. Instead I'd like to introduce you to the
Montenegrin stitch.
Like any number of (fancy) stitches used on 17th
century samplers, the Montenegrin stitch is reversible. Before working on Jane, my experience with
this stitch had been a single horizontal row used as a dividing band. And I’m not even sure I was executing the
stitch correctly (need to look at a one of my other stitch books to check on that). Hands Across the Sea Samplers has a nice
tutorial for the basic stitch HERE.
I’ve told you before about Amy Mitten’s wonderful little
book and how I would be lost without it. Jane was clearly quite adept at Montenegrin
stitch and not only stitched rows that go diagonally down, across, diagonally up, and
so forth, she also stitched flowers and such using it.
So back to that reversible thing. That indispensable little book details two
different ways to make the stitch, and each way makes a different pattern the
back. So let’s start with a peek at that
since I decided to do the two lines which mark the top and bottom of Band 13
first, and that I’d stitch them in the two different ways.
So even though I told you you’d seen the last of Jane’s
backside months ago, I’ll flip her over for you here.
In the top (blue) row, the steps of the Montenegrin are
stitched in such an order as to make a four-sided/box stitch on the back. Cool, huh?
The other way to do the stitch is a little easier for me,
guess it just feels a little more natural.
The back of this version (red row) produces a pattern that is cross
stitches with vertical lines between each stitch: X|X|X|X|X|
But because I’m using two threads on 35-count linen, it’s rather hard to
see that pattern.
From the front, the two methods produce a similar stitch,
though I think the sequence that makes the four-sided stitch on the back give a
slightly more braided look on the front of the piece.
Thanks for stopping by!
>^..^<
I've been studying your photo, and I can't tell if the blue looks more of a braid or if the difference in color makes it appear to be. Either way, it's a beautiful stitch that I will never do.
ReplyDeleteWOW this is amazing Deb. Such perfect beautiful stitches. I love it. RJ@stitchingfriendsforever
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is perfection...love the colors on this project and looking forward to seeing the entire design. Mary
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lesson Deb! I don't think I've ever done this stitch and like the "braided" look. Is it similar to a long arm cross stitch? Whatever difference is on the back, they look beautiful from the front....and your back isn't too shabby either!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is fascinating! I really like the way the method changes the look of the stitching.
ReplyDeleteWow! Deb, this is such a wonderful project - a true labour of the love of stitching. I love the way you detail everything for us.
ReplyDeleteYou are one very talented stitcher, Deb! I can't imagine learning all of those fancy stitches, but I do love the look of them. They sure look perfect to me :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your (rainy!)weekend!
I have that handy dandy book somewhere in my stash. Have I perused it or used it? No. lol! I had a piece that I needed it for, but I never got to that point. Ah well. Fun to see the differences in the two ways to do the stitch.
ReplyDeleteJane is looking great.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting stitch, the way it can change.
Thanks for the tutorial link.
Marilyn
Oh, that's quite interesting how it looks braided instead of boxy from front to back! I like the blue best, but I am partial to it anyway. Do the stitches seem to rise more than the red as well or are they pretty close in texture?
ReplyDeleteOh my how beautiful is your stitching - it is so hard to tell back from front - superb!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stitching and such lovely bright colour combinations.
ReplyDeleteYou stitched these rows perfectly. I have already done lots of specialty stitches but never the Montenegrin stitch.
ReplyDelete