Good Morning!

Here are today's new stitch outs. Don't worry about replicating the flowers, we'll get to those later, just work on the all over designs. The block on the top has a loop d'loop that travels between the larger asterisks and the block on the bottom is a straight stipple.

Remember to doodle the designs on paper before you try to stitch them out on your machine. Use exaggerated arm movements as you doodle so that you can begin to feel the stitch's movements throughout your body.

The loop d'loop is very simple to do. It is like a curvy stipple because of its gentle movement. To make this stitch out look neat and tidy, the loop d'loops need to be quite a bit smaller than the asterisks. Here, the loops are about 1/4" in size and the asterisks are about 1". To make an asterisks, make a long line that is about 1" long, double back on the line half way, thus making a middle point. Then, move out from that middle point in a straight line about 1/2" in another direction then double back to the center again. Make about 8-10 of these 1/2" long lines, radiating out from the center point. Once all of the spokes of an asterisk are completed then curve away with lots of loops until you get to where you want to form another asterisk.

Did you know that artistically speaking people can be divided into two group; Classics and Romantics. For Classics, the straight line is easier to accomplish whereas curvy lines come easier to the Romantics. You can be one or the other, or somewhere in between. Most Classics choose careers such as doctors, lawyers or accountants where precision is a must. Most Romantics choose careers such as grade school teachers, nurses or counselors, with more 'touchy/feely' requirements. I bring this up because it will be easier for you to practice what comes naturally to you first. If you are a Classic, choose stitch outs with straight lines to practice on first. If you are a Romantic, choose the curvier designs.

The straight stipple above can be a little tricky. Like the angled stipple from yesterday, you need to stop your hand movement momentarily each time you change directions. For this stitch out to look nice and tidy, you want your corners to be as close to true 45 degree angles as possible. As you first begin stitching it, verbally or mentally, tell yourself to "stop" each time you turn a corner. Remember to stop just your hands and not the machine. The stopping action lasts less than a second, but it is required. If you stop for too long you will end up with a knot in each corner. If you don't stop long enough then you will end up with curves rather than corners.

Remember, practice will make you better at this and the better you become at it the more you will start to enjoy it and the more you enjoy it, the better you will be at it - ahh! a never ending cycle!

Till tomorrow, have a great day!
Heather