Over the next year, we will be recreating a 17th-century embroidered jacket. The Embroiderers' Story will chronicle its progress.
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Trellis Trials

The other day I decided it was time to branch out beyond the detached buttonhole stitch. I hadn’t worried about the other stitches since there was (and still is) so much buttonhole to do.

trellis first tryHere’s my first try at trellis stitch. I gave up halfway through the shape, hopelessly confused. (If you click on “trellis stitch” it should link you to the directions for it. I hope.)

Here’s my second try. Much better, although it is only one color, not stripes like the butterfly bodies ontrellis take two the jacket, but you have to start somewhere. Next time I’ll try putting in a stripe.

I share these ugly trials with you in the hopes of encouraging anyone who is afraid to try the stitches or afraid to come embroider; a little practice makes a big difference, I’m finding, and one of the objectives of the whole project is to encourage embroiderers to try new techniques (these ones; when the jacket’s done you can try OTHER new techniques). Incidentally, another of the objectives was to increase the embroidery knowledge base of the Colonial Wardrobe Department staff. Check.

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One Response to “Trellis Trials”

  1. Susan K. Says:

    Thanks so much for sharing these, Jill. Seeing the early efforts by others (at anything!) really helps people get over the intimidation factor.
    Though I’m a lifelong embroiderer, I had done almost none of the stitches used in this project until I got my learning/sample kit. Now I’m thoroughly hooked, honored to play a tiny part in the project, telling everyone about it if they don’t run away fast enough, and using the stitches on personal & SCA projects.
    Keep trying new stitches, but watch out: they’re addictive!

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