Friday, February 3, 2012

A Twilling Breakthrough



It's been a really long time, well over a year, since I have picked up a needle and thread and actually completed something. I've been in a deep dark hole that threatened to swallow me and I have been struggling to climb out of it.  I tried starting several new fun things from other designers, but nothing really got me hooked again until this fall when I heard abour a lady named Pauline.  Ms Pauline was teaching Twilling, "what's twilling??" you say.   Look above and you'll see it........there's some of it in each of the above photos.  She had already stitched out a couple of my older patterns. She did one of my beginner redwork patterns below simply called the pumpkin, and she TWILLED most of it except for the tiny details.  Look below, isn't her stitching beau tiful, so clean and smooth.   I was fascinated!!  I love texture.....



She had asked the quilt shop owner if she thought I could come up with some patterns designed more for the twilling stitch. Well, I had never done twilling so we met each other in her twilling class.  "POOF" my creative fire was re-lit, crazy stitchy ideas started crashing around in my head and I started drawing again.  Then came the stitching.  I've designed several things for the twilling stitch, have done some more redwork designs, and am having trouble finding time to get it all on paper and fabric.  The designs, directions etc. all need to be in pattern form, ready to go to the quilt shop soon.  Below is what I've done in redwork.  There will be 12 cats of the month.  For you bloggers I think I'll have helpful "SEWING" FAT cats as blog freebies beginning soon, I hope........depends on time, it maybe March.  Sorry about the quality of the photos.
"FAT CATS" shown here are April, February and March, they are not quite ready to sell but will be soon.  I ran out of grey thread for the fuzzy cat on the bottom right, but decided to show it anyway. 

Now, here's how to do the twilling stitch ............ 
See if you can understand how to do it from these directions below.   There's a place to click below photo for a link to a printable copy.

UPDATE  if you would like a verson for lefties and righties go here

It will take you to google docs where you can print it out.  Please let me know if you can figure out how to do the stitch from these directions.  This is my first rough draft at the twilling directions.  I want to put it or similiar one in with my patterns.  Would love feed back about them.
I'll have more in the next few days on what I've been drawing with this twilling stitch in mind.............!?!?!?  I hope you approve.  It's a fun stitch, and gives my favorite type stitching (redwork) another form of texture. 
Below is the picture of the first thing I did away from the class, away from Pauline's guidance..........yikes! I chickened out when I started my own project in twilling, and only did bits and pieces of it in the twilling stitch (the arms, scarf stripes,) the rest is in my more comfortable redwork .....outline/stem stitch, mixed with  backstitch etc.  Once I got more comfortable with it, the other projects I designed were worked mostly as twilling.  You'll have to come back to see.....see you soon.   :) cyndi

16 comments:

  1. Hey....I took that class in Jeff City!! It was so much fun, unfortunately I haven't picked up the piece since... have to remember to get that out and work on it...

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  2. I'm game ... sounds like fun!

    And good to see you, Cyndi!

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  3. Cyndi, it is so good to see your inspiration returning. I think of you often and am delighted to see you posting! This twilling looks very interesting and I will add it to my list of things to try!

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  4. Keep on keeping on! I love to twill and teach it too. I can hardly wait to see the Fat Cats and your other patterns. Beautiful!

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  5. Cyndi, your designs are wonderful. Thanks for sharing the twilling steps.

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  6. I luv to embroider and usually use the stem/outline, back stitch, or chain stitch. I will give the twill stitch a try....it looks like a heavier stitch and would definitely add texture. It is sEw good to hear your creative 'juices' are back.... and you are back blogging again. Thanks for sharing this 'new to me' stitch.

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  7. Thankyou! I never did the twilling stitch, but I heart it!!! In Iyaly we call it "punto Palestrina"...

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  8. Isn't great when something catches your attention and re-lights your creative fire?! Glad that something came your way!
    Hugs!

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  9. Hi: I am soooooooo excited to see you back. Know that you have never been far from my thoughts and prayers. Your "new" creativeness is so inspiring, I printed the directions out so lets see if this old dog can learn a new trick. LOL
    Hugs,
    Vicki R
    sunraesban@yahoo.com

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  10. Oh my goodness, I have got to try this! Your work looks great.

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  11. Glad to see you are up and running. Keep at it!

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  12. that is fascinating. I thought it was done on a machine somehow but now I see it is by hand. Sooo Neat!

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  13. I am going to print of the directions and give it a try. thanks.

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  14. Oh, and I forgot to say that I am happy for you that you were delivered out of that hole.

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  15. Please could you tell me the name of the pen or pencil you use to scratch the designs you will embroider?
    You wash your work after embroidery finished?
    How do you get the stain pencil, pen or carbon you to scratch embroidery?
    Thank you
    Magda

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Thanks for leaving me a message. I always read them and hopefully answer as many as possible. Cyndi